The Interplay of Existentialism and Socratic Wisdom in Philosophical Counselling

by Laura David

Abstract

The paper explores the integration of Socratic questioning in addressing existential challenges within counselling. Through various statistical studies, it evaluates the technique's applicability, highlighting its significance. The study traces the evolution of existential thought and Socratic inquiry, emphasizing their relevance and practical use in counselling. Methodologically, qualitative research with interviews of seven philosophical counsellors and five psychotherapists was conducted. Despite the limited awareness of Socratic questioning among therapists in Romania, there exists considerable potential for its development and integration into therapeutic practices. Findings reveal that Socratic questioning enhances critical thinking and autonomy, particularly in adolescents, but requires careful application with solution-oriented clients and in trauma contexts. A deeper understanding of Socratic questioning is necessary to increase its effectiveness. Future research should validate existing frameworks and explore ethical AI integration to enhance the efficacy of philosophical counselling in contemporary mental health practices.