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Alexander Colombos

California Coast University, USA

Presentation Title:

The Socratic Method as a Synthesis Type of Cognitive Psychotherapy and Jung’s Transcendent Function: A Commentary

Abstract

Application of the Socratic method, also known as Socratic dialogue or Socratic questioning, to counseling and psychotherapy was examined as a major trend in philosophical counseling. The emphasis was on the affinities of the Socratic method and cognitive psychotherapy, especially Aaron Beck’s Pierre Grimes’ cognitive therapy models. The work of major theorists of modern applications of the Socratic method in education and counseling, such as Leonard Nelson, Gustav Heckmann, and Pierre Grimes, were also examined. Case studies quoted from a summary of one of the usually very long dialogues of Socrates as recorded by his disciple Plato, as well as Padesky’s case study of Socratic questioning in an individual counseling session based on Beck’s model of cognitive therapy (CT) were analyzed and interpreted. Additionally, common points of the Socratic method, such as cognitive psychotherapy and Carl G. Jung’s transcendent function, were briefly discussed. 

Biography

Alexander G. Colombos currently working as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor in New York and is the academic consultant of the Hellenic Cultural Center of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in Astoria, NY. He has worked as a master-level psychologist and case management supervisor. He is currently a doctoral student of Educational Psychology EdD program at the California Coast University. He is a former NYS-Certified History/Social Studies teacher with credentials in teaching Greek studies and Science.  He has three masters in history, human relations-clinical counseling option, and vocational rehabilitation counseling, and a Bachelor’s in psychology and history with a minor in art history/archaeology.  He has training certificates in counseling, psychology, general biofeedback/EEG neurofeedback, special education, ancient health, history, archaeology/art, philosophy, and heritage management. He served as a board member and the Secretary General of the Prometheus Greek Teachers Association for many years. He was a peer reviewer for the Columbia University Press on publications in the Socratic Method and Cognitive Psychotherapy. He has presented in multiple conferences, participated in online/radio talks, and published in local press and in several reputed journals on the Socratic Method, Jung, Autism, and ADHD, history & archaeology of health, ancient wisdom, and heritage.