"Where we are tempted to speak of 'different senses' of a word which is clearly not equivocal, we may infer that we are in fact pretty much in the dark about the character of the concept which it represents."

— G.E.M Anscombe, Intention

How does philosophical counseling differ from psychoanalysis?

In philosophy, we aim to understand more deeply the concepts we use, the theories we believe and and the courses of reasoning we pursue. This involves, for example, examining the adequacy of our assumptions, evaluating our most habitual patterns of thinking, and generally taking a critical look at the ideas we tend to take for granted. We press deeply, but what we press on is the topic of open and frank discussion. In this sense, philosophy does not deal with anything hidden.

Psychoanalysis, by contrast, is concerned with "the observation, description, evaluation, and interpretation of dynamic unconscious mental processes that contribute to the formation of personality and behavior in order to identify and resolve unconscious psychic problems which affect interpersonal relationships and emotional development..." (New York State Office of the Professions).

Philosophy does not train a person to isolate or interpret "dynamic unconscious processes"; however, a philosopher with significant training in the philosophy of mind is equipped to discuss some of the logical and conceptual difficulties any theory of the unconscious must face.