Over the centuries, philosophers — such as Plato, Spinoza and Sartre — investigated how to free the mind from the tyranny of the emotions, for that is the route to inner peace. These short essays belong to that tradition. They offer insight into the darkest emotions, conflicts, addictions, and other maladies that can afflict the mind. (Please scroll down page to view disclaimer.)

Dark Emotions:

• The Philosophical Meaning of Anxiety
• Why 9 out of 10 Existentialists Prefer Despair to Depression
• The Deeper Meaning of the Winter Blues
• Do Philosophers Get Angry?
• “Taking a Walk Down Lonely Street,” with Kierkegaard.
• What Dreams May Come?
• Accidie (Spiritual Torpor)

Interpersonal Conflicts:

• Marriage Counseling/Relationship Counseling
• Job Conflicts, Stress, and Opportunity
• A Philosopher Looks at Family Conflicts

Addictions:

• Problem Drinking!
• The Mystery of Smoking
• The Philosophical Meaning of Gambling
• Are You Addicted to the News?

Other:

• Disordered Eating
• Midlife and Other Existential Crises
• The Deeper Meaning of Feeling Stuck
• Trauma as Dark Insight

P.S. None of the above? Just plain dissatisfied with your life? Dr. Dillof can help there too!

DISCLAIMER
Be it noted that Dr. Dillof, in his private practice — as a philosophical counselor and life coach — neither diagnoses nor treats emotional maladies, in the manner of a licensed psychotherapist. Nor are the essays and information, on this website, intended to be a diagnosis or a cure. It is advised that anyone suffering from either an acute or chronic mental affliction seek the services of a psychiatrist or other mental health professional. This is especially crucial if you are harboring suicidal thoughts or you pose a threat to the safety of other people. If you are in a crisis involving child abuse, suicide, physical or relationship abuse, drug addiction, severe trauma, mental or physical illness, you should report it directly to the appropriate state licensed health care practitioner. Furthermore, the insights provided here and in Dr. Dillof’s private practice — which he conducts in person, by telephone, and by e-mail — are not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment. If in doubt, please consult your physician.

Be advised that insights are powerful. Although intended to be healing, there is always a certain degree of danger involved with gaining insight, including philosophical and spiritual epiphanies. Any true journey to self-knowledge involves risks. Insight can, for example, be psychologically un-grounding and can undermine one’s psychological security, at least initially. It is, indeed, for good reason that the ancient Upanishads refer to the path to self-knowledge as a journey along “a razor’s edge.” If you are seeking Dr. Mark Dillof’s services as a philosophical counselor and life coach, he will do all he can to be of helpful assistance to you and will proceed with all due caution, but the risks you assume are your own. He shall be held harmless for the services offered and shall not be held liable for their use.

The Initial Assessment
Dr. Dillof shall seek to assess, from his initial meeting with you, whether or not you would be a good candidate for his services. In certain cases, he might recommend that you consider other options, such as a psychotherapist, physician or other professional. Dr. Dillof might also determine that you are not ready for his services, due to where you presently are on your journey through life. Dr. Dillof might then recommend other options. Although Dr. Dillof seeks to exercise sound judgement in these matters, he is far from infallible.

The Direction and Goal of Philosophical Counseling and Spiritual Life Coaching
Rather than treating emotional maladies, Dr. Dillof uses them as doorways into deeper questions about human suffering, selfhood and the meaning of life. Needless to say, one seeks to be free of suffering, but the goal of his philosophical counseling is not to be cured, to become normal, or to attain mental health. The goal, rather, is to become awakened, self-realized or, simply stated, to gain wisdom. (For further information on how his counseling and life coaching differs from psychotherapy, please see FAQ.)

No matter what part of the globe you inhabit — from New York City (NYC) to Los Angeles CA, from London to Tokyo, from Boston MA to Chicago IL, from Brooklyn to Queens, from Binghamton to Ithaca, from Scranton PA to Syracuse NY, from Vestal to Endicott, from White Plains to Westchester, from Rochester to Buffalo, from Nassau to Suffolk, from Louisville KY to Cincinnati OH, from Indianapolis IN to Hartford CT, from Hollywood CA to Miami Beach FL, from Minneapolis MN to Madison WI, from Portland OR to Washington DC, from Seattle WA to the Bronx NY, from Toronto Canada to Vancouver, from San Francisco to Houston — distance is no barrier to an illuminating counseling and life coaching session!