Appreciative Counselling. An Overview

Abstract

In this article we will focus on counselling techniques that are still an area of excellence of social practice, a fundamental methodological dimension. Philosophical counselling proposes to transform life by rediscovering the interrogative and interpretive dimension of human consciousness and apply it to the everyday experience. It is an experience of freedom transposed from metaphysical into the social plan. Philosophical thinking out of the transcendence space reconfigures immediacy “connecting it” to the “world of ideas” and bringing individual’s authenticity. Appreciative approach to philosophy is based on the works of David Cooperrider on “Appreciative Inquiry”, a discursive pragmatic form that replaces the focus on the problem with focusing on the successful elements of previous experience of individuals, groups, organizations or communitiesi. Principles of appreciative philosophical counselling aim partnership between all participant in philosophical counselling. This experience can be integrated with the philosophical discourse having as referential maieutic and Platonic dialogues.

Keywords: appreciative inquiry; appreciative philosophy; appreciative counselling; philosophical counselling