https://www.complexbuilders.com You know the iconic sculpture, Rodin’s The Thinker? Man pondering, hunched over, chin resting on fist. Angst personified.

That’s what came to mind when I read about a new (but, really, old) type of therapy called philosophical counseling. Out-of-work philosophy PhDs who lack marketable skills are retooling themselves as therapists to help people cope with problems of living—garden variety crises like losing a job, getting divorced, or entering midlife. The idea is that these folks can benefit more from the wisdom of the ages than from working with a mental health professional. True for some, maybe, but still disturbing.

My hackles aren’t raised because I sense a threat to my turf. With only 300 certified philosophical counselors in the world, the field isn’t about to encroach on my profession. And don’t think I’m not open to alternative treatments. If it has a sound, research-tested track record, then I’m all for using any method that works. But this approach seems naïve at best; it could even cause significant harm if a practitioner– with only a three-day course required for certification—failed to recognize the signs of a more serious psychiatric problem.

Sure, we can all stand to heed the advice of the sages and put our modern-day worries into a broader perspective. But if you’re choosing a therapeutic approach, stick with a well-trained professional and evidence-based practice. That’s not philosophy, just good common sense.