In the ebb and flow of life, anxiety can emerge as a persistent companion, affecting our mental and physical well-being. At Philosophical and Cognitive Therapy (PACT), we recognize anxiety as a complex state of mind and being that impacts all of us, regardless of background or achievements. Our practice specializes in helping individuals understand and navigate anxiety through philosophical and cognitive approaches, offering a unique perspective on managing this common yet challenging aspect of the human experience.
Anxiety often stems from existential concerns and the search for meaning in our lives. While it's natural to feel anxious in certain situations, such as before a big presentation or during times of change, persistent anxiety can significantly disrupt our daily lives. This is particularly true for high achievers and entrepreneurs, who may outwardly appear successful but internally struggle with feelings of emptiness and disconnection. At PACT, we believe that anxiety can be understood through a philosophical lens, allowing us to explore the deeper roots of your anxiety and find new approaches to navigate the complexities of life.
Our approach to anxiety focuses on partnering with you to explore and understand your anxiety, rather than simply suppressing its symptoms. Through philosophical counseling and therapy, we help you explore the nature of your anxiety and cultivate a sense of resilience and groundedness in your daily life. We believe you can learn to navigate anxiety in a way that promotes personal growth and well-being with a philosophical/cognitive approach.
Anxiety is a natural response to the four givens of human existence: freedom, isolation, meaninglessness, and death. It's endogenous to the human experience, with everyone feeling anxious at some point. However, managing anxiety can be challenging, especially when it becomes persistent and overwhelming.
Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety altogether, philosophical therapy offers a different perspective: learning to shift our worldview and engage in the world more meaningfully.
Individuals who experience social anxiety may avoid social settings altogether or endure them with intense fear. Social anxiety is distinct from general anxiety, where worry tends to be more pervasive and focused on various aspects of life. In social anxiety, the worry centers around social interactions and the fear of being judged or embarrassed.
Therapy, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and philosophical counseling, can be highly effective in helping individuals with social anxiety. CBT helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, while philosophical counseling provides a unique approach that focuses on exploring the deeper existential concerns underlying social anxiety.
Anxiety is one of the most common reasons individuals seek therapy with PACT. In many cases, anxiety is rooted in existential concerns that arise from fundamental questions about the meaning of life, one’s purpose, and the nature of existence.
Philosophical counseling offers a unique approach by exploring the deeper existential roots of anxiety. In philosophical counseling, you are encouraged to embrace rather than avoid existential questions. By exploring these questions in a safe and supportive environment, you can gain insight into the underlying nature of your anxiety. This process of self-discovery and reflection can lead to a profound shift in your relationship with anxiety, empowering you to live a more authentic and fulfilling life.
While reducing anxiety is a significant outcome, the ultimate goal of philosophical counseling is to explore and understand anxiety in the context of existence, both its helpful and unhelpful aspects. By delving into the interplay between anxiety and existence, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationship with the world around them.
PACT is licensed in New York and California, serving clients virtually from NYC, Brooklyn, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and beyond. Begin your journey towards greater self-awareness and emotional well-being.
As therapists specializing in philosophical and cognitive behavioral therapy, our approach is to help our clients examine their inner and outer worlds through a contemplative lens by using philosophical concepts and engaging in explorative dialogues. Our approach is firmly rooted in the here and now, focusing primarily on what our clients are experiencing in the present and how that influences their perception of the future, the world around them, and their place in it. For clients experiencing anxiety, we work collaboratively to understand the existential underpinnings of their anxiety, helping them navigate toward a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Philosophically informed cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) combines the principles of traditional CBT with philosophical insights to provide a deeper understanding of human behavior and thought patterns. This approach emphasizes the examination of underlying beliefs and assumptions, often drawing on philosophical concepts such as existentialism or stoicism. By integrating philosophical ideas into therapy, clients can gain a new perspective on their problems, develop greater self-awareness, learn practical strategies to modify their thoughts and emotions, and cultivate a new approach to life.
Existential-humanistic therapy blends existential philosophy with humanistic psychology to help individuals explore their unique experiences, find meaning in life, and cultivate personal growth. This approach focuses on the individual's freedom, responsibility, and search for meaning in an often uncertain world. Existential-humanistic therapists emphasize the importance of authentic living, self-awareness, and personal choice. By integrating these philosophical and psychological concepts, this therapy encourages clients to confront life's existential challenges and discover their inner strengths to lead more fulfilling lives.
Stoicism counseling applies the principles of Stoic philosophy to therapy, guiding individuals to cultivate resilience, inner peace, and a meaningful life. Based on the belief that virtue is the highest good and that we control our thoughts and reactions, Stoicism counseling helps clients focus on what they can control, accept what they cannot, and live in line with their values. This approach emphasizes practical wisdom and self-discipline, offering strategies to overcome adversity and thrive in challenging circumstances.
Logotherapy is a type of existential therapy that centers on finding meaning in life. It emphasizes an individual's quest for purpose and significance, considering this pursuit crucial for mental well-being. Unlike other therapies that focus on pleasure or power, logotherapy suggests that the primary motivation for humans is the pursuit of meaning.
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful beliefs that contribute to emotional distress and unhelpful behavior patterns. This therapy is based on the premise that it is not events themselves that cause us distress, but rather our beliefs about those events. By addressing these underlying beliefs, REBT aims to help individuals manage their emotions more effectively and lead more fulfilling lives.
Creative arts therapy encompasses a range of therapeutic approaches that use creative expression to promote personal growth and emotional well-being. This approach provides alternative ways for clients to communicate and process their feelings, thoughts, and experiences, and can include art, music, drama, movement, and other forms of creative expression. Creative arts therapy can help clients gain insights, develop resilience, and enhance self-awareness, leading to personal growth and positive change.
Julia Baum specializes in helping adults navigate emotional challenges through personalized therapy and counseling. With a unique blend of cognitive and philosophical approaches, Julia draws on her training in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) and studies in Stoicism and Existentialism to foster personal growth and self-understanding.
Emily Hughes is a Licensed and Board Certified Creative Arts Therapist with over a decade of experience helping adults navigate anxiety, low self-esteem, and life transitions. Blending creative arts therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness, Emily provides a personalized therapeutic experience tailored to each of her client’s needs.
The first session, often called an "intake," typically focuses on establishing a foundation for future exploration and dialogue and gaining insight into your concerns and objectives. If, for any reason, you or your counselor feel that it is not a good fit, your counselor can offer referrals based on your preferences and the information that you have shared.
The duration of therapy depends on your individual needs and preferences. Some clients may reach their objectives in a few sessions, while others may engage in longer-term exploration.
The ultimate goal of philosophical counseling is to help individuals adopt a helpful philosophy of living that can subsequently lead to a reduction in anxiety. By exploring philosophical concepts and engaging in reflective dialogues, clients can gain new perspectives on their challenges, and find deeper meaning in their experiences. Philosophical counseling encourages self-reflection and personal growth, empowering individuals to navigate life's complexities with greater clarity and resilience.
Philosophical counseling can help you navigate existential questions that contribute to your anxiety by providing a framework for understanding these questions and exploring them in depth. This exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of your anxiety and help you develop perspectives that promote personal growth and well-being.
At PACT, we offer a unique approach to anxiety, social anxiety, and more. Our approach harmonizes cognitive behavioral therapy with philosophical counseling to create a unique, explorative dialogue between therapist and client. Our licensed therapists, based in New York and California, provide virtual sessions to clients in NYC, Brooklyn, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and beyond. We also offer in-person sessions in San Diego (by appointment only). By exploring your deeply held philosophies and beliefs, we can help you develop a more meaningful understanding of yourself and your approach to living.
We are dedicated to serving as a guiding light for our clients, leading you past the obstacles that have obscured your path to self-realization. We support you in cultivating a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you, finding meaning in life, and developing resilience to navigate life's challenges with clarity and purpose.
