IPP |Institute
of Philosophical Practices
ITD |Institute
of Thinking and Dialogue
Institute of Philosophical Practices
3-MONTH COURSE:

PHILOSOPHICAL
PRACTICE & COUNSELLING
February 14th – May 19th, 2026
Holidays: March 30th to April 5th, 2026

Please note:

Our training program is international and 100% online. It is structured in several levels, each lasting three months. You may choose to register for a single level (3 months) or continue through multiple levels.
For those wishing to complete the full certification program, the complete training includes four levels in total (12 months). If you plan to register for more than one level at a time, please contact us before completing your registration.

The next session after this one will take place in autumn 2026 (dates to be confirmed).
TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS OF EFFECTIVE THINKING
More than 50 hours of thinking exercises

Practice argumentation, interpretation, problematization, questioning

This course will take you into the world of thinking, where you will discover the beauty of ideas, the art of questioning, and the variety of paradigms through which you can look at the world.


This is a thinking marathon

As a result you will have clearer and more flexible thinking


Core values of the course:
PRACTICE

AUTHENTICITY

CHALLENGE

An unexamined life is not worth living. (Socrates)

LEVEL 1: 6 CORe PHILOSOPHICAL COMPETENCIES
LEVEL 2.1: 6 PHILOSOPHICAL COMPETENCIES + FOCUS PRO OR SELF
LEVEL 2.2: SPECIALIZATION IN COUNSELLING OR WORKSHOPS
LEVEL 3: DEVELOp A PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL PROJECT
Development of 6 basic thinking skills
  • ARGUMENTATION
    Capacity to justify your ideas, examine other people's thinking process. You can have a brilliant idea about something, but without an argument it is difficult to justify it. Argumentation teaches you to see cause-and-effect relationships and communicate your thoughts to other people.
  • INTERPRETATION
    Seeing different meanings behind someone's words, being able to view a situation or a person from multiple angles, looking at a problem from different levels and naming it, finding creative ways of understanding a text.
  • QUESTIONING
    Asking clear and precise questions. Recognizing problems in questions, knowing different types of questions. Turning your idea into a question that will be directed at what you want is an art. Someone who knows how to ask questions is a master of dialogue.
  • CONCEPTUALIZATION
    Naming a phenomenon or a behavior pattern. Extracting the substance from a text. This skill allows you to clarify speech, highlight the essence, and structure your thoughts.
  • PROBLEMATIZATION
    Any statement or a question has limits of application. To see these boundaries is to be aware of an idea. The better the ability to problematize is, the higher creativity is. This implies to learn how to formulate objections and questions.
  • + SELF-AWARENESS
    Understanding yourself and others better: our reactions to other's words or attitudes reflect our worldview. The ability to interpret these reactions helps us better understand ourselves: how we think, why we think this way, and the limits of our thinking.
Two Levels of Competencies
(Level 1 & Level 2.1)
  • Level 1 (Initiation)
    The first level is an introduction to the fundamental competencies of philosophical thinking. Through practical exercises, you will learn to observe and work with your own thought processes, identify your difficulties, and broaden your worldview. This is a journey of self-discovery that requires confronting your habitual ways of thinking, analyzing your assumptions, and questioning familiar patterns of behavior. You will train core skills such as argumentation, interpretation, conceptualization, problematization, and questioning.
  • Level 2.1 (Development)
    This level is open to anyone who has completed at least one introduction course with us, either individually or through our 3-month course. Its main goal is to deepen your thinking skills while beginning to specialize in philosophical counseling.

    You will choose between two options:

    PRO: Build the foundations of philosophical counseling by continuing to develop your thinking skills, learning how to question others effectively, interpret their speech and behavior, choose strategies to question them, and understand their psychological and cognitive patterns. This option is primarily for students who aim to become philosophical practitioners and want to prepare for the next level.

    SELF: Continue strengthening your thinking skills with a focus on self-awareness and existential questioning. This option is mainly for students taking the course for personal and existential reasons, who wish to work on themselves while also learning to explore existential issues through questioning. In both options, you will deepen your practice of questioning, argumentation, and interpretation. You’ll also begin reviewing and providing feedback on other students’ work and reflections, while broadening your understanding of philosophical practice to gain the tools needed to sharpen your training.
Two Levels of Specialization
(Level 2.2 & Level 3)
  • Level 2.2 (Immersion)
    This level is designed for those who have completed Level 2.1 and wish to fully commit to a specialization. You will immerse yourself in one of the following two options:

    Philosophical Counseling: Focus on one-on-one dialogue by developing real-life counseling sessions with supervision and feedback.
    Facilitation of Workshops: Learn how to design, lead, and facilitate philosophical group workshops.

    Both options include shared sessions on advanced questioning, philosophical attitudes, practice and coaching, along with some specialized sessions unique to each option.
  • Level 3 (Certification)
    The Certification level is reserved for advanced students by invitation only. Admission is open to those who have completed the full training program and have been approved by the IPP.

    Here, the focus shifts to the creation and realization of your own personal or professional project. You will receive intensive individual coaching, engage in collaborative group work, and gain supervised practical experience. This final stage prepares you to become a certified philosophical practitioner or facilitator, ready to apply your skills with confidence and clarity.
Practical Information
(Level 1 and all Levels 2)
  • STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE
    2 Seminars (Saturday & Sunday, 11am–6pm):
    Opening Seminar: February 14 & 15 — Introduction to the program.
    Closing Seminar: May 16 & 17 — Conclusion and final workshops.

    Weekly material:
    Theoretical content delivered via texts, videos, and other resources.

    Weekly homework:
    Homework with feedback from tutors.

    1 Weekly Workshop:
    Interactive session focused on the week’s theme or competency.
    Some workshops will be divided by specialization; others will be grouped by level.

    2 Individual Supervision Sessions:
    Private 30-minute discussions with a tutor.

    Level 1 Only:
    1 private consultation during the course.
    1
  • WEEKLY WORKSHOPS
    Workshops
    All workshops last 2 hours and focus on the skill or theme of the week.
    Each level has one workshop per week.

    Level 1 Workshops
    Monday, 7:00–9:00 PM.
    Level 2 Workshops (2.1 & 2.2)
    Tuesday, 7:00–9:00 PM, or
    Saturday, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM.
    Level 3 Workshop:
    To determine with the level 3 group

    All workshops will be recorded and made available to students.
    Recordings can be used to review sessions or catch up if a workshop is missed.
    2
  • WORKSHOPS FORMAT
    During workshops, we will work on various exercises. The main objectives are to develop thinking skills, practice identifying and exploring each other’s thinking systems, and enhance self-awareness.
    The sessions are structured in a dialogue format, with the art of questioning at the heart of every meeting.
    3
  • PLATFORMS
    The seminars and workshops will take place via the ZOOM platform.

    Lessons and exercises will be sent to CLASSROOM.

    Communication between students and tutors (comments, questions, practical information) will be done via TELEGRAM.

    The videos will be posted on GOOGLE DRIVE.
    4
  • TYPES OF EXERCISES
    - analyzing stories,
    - argumentation on different topics,
    - writing questions about a text,
    - working with real-life cases,
    - assessment of someone's profile,
    - analyzing consultations,
    - interpretation of a picture, of a philosophical text…

    5
  • LEVEL 1 ONLY:
    6 WORKSHOPS ON PHILOSOPHICAL CONSULTATION
    For Level 1 students who also wish to get an introduction to philosophical consultation, and thus have a more complete program to prepare for the next level, 6 bonus workshops will be offered during the course.

    These will be open only to students taking the "Basic program + option counseling" package.

    The 6 sessions will focus on demonstrations of consultations, analysis of existential issues, analysis of consultations, work on philosophical questioning, and work on the person (cognitive and psychological).

    These workshops will take place on 6 Saturday afternoons, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

    Dates: February 21 & 28, March 14 & 21, and Avril 11 & 18.
    6
Level 2.2 Specialization

Students enrolled in the Level 2.2 immersion program must choose a specialization option, which will determine their weekly exercises and workshops. Some exercises and workshops will be common to both options, while others will be specific to each specialization.
Specialization 1: Philosophical Counseling

Develop your skills in questioning and working with speech to engage more effectively in Socratic dialogue with your interlocutors. Become a trained philosophical counselor.
Specialization 2: Facilitation of Workshops

Train to facilitate workshops by developing the tools needed for effective questioning and group organization, all under the sharp and critical guidance of our tutors. Become a skilled facilitator of philosophical workshops, working with adults or children.
LEVEL 3 (By invitation only)

This level will be open in each edition of our course to only a few students, as the number of places is limited. Registration is exclusively available to former students or clients who have completed a full training program (Levels 1 and 2), and have been approved by the IPP.


Program:


  • Development and implementation of a personal or professional project tailored to the student.
  • 3 hours of individual coaching per month focused on project development.
  • 3 workshops per month, each lasting 2 hours (day and time to be determined by the group). These sessions will include collective workshops, presentations by practitioners, or coaching focused on students’ projects.
  • 3 six-day marathons to further develop philosophical skills.
  • Weekly feedback on exercises in counselling, workshop facilitation, and profiling.

In total, each student will receive 9 hours of individual coaching, 18 hours of group sessions (workshops or presentations), as well as private feedback on exercises and weekly discussion with their coach.

  • COMPETENCIES MARATHONS
    We will propose 3 competency marathons during the program (one per month), where you will practice one competency per day during 6 days.
    1
  • COACHING OF PRIVATE COUNSELLING AND GROUP WORKSHOPS
    We will propose regular individual coaching sessions, where you will practice with different clients philosophical counselling.

    We will propose regular coaching sessions, where you will practice the facilitation of a workshop with a group of participants.
    2
  • WORKSHOPS ON PHILOSOPHICAL IDEAS
    Once per month, we will propose a workshop on philosophical ideas, on a specific theme or concept, to reflect collectively on some philosophical content.
    3
  • PROFILING
    We will work on how to make a psychological and cognitive profile of a person, how to analyze a person based on a consultation and on some answers, and how to recognize some systems or ways of being and thinking.
    4
  • PROFESSIONNAL TOOLS
    We will provide some tools on how to use philosophical practice as part of a profession. Whether as a full-time practitioner, as a high school teacher, as a psychotherapist, as part of an artistic career... There will be some meet-ups with different practionners, that will propose their vision of PP as part of their professions.
    5
  • PERSONAL ACCOMPANIMENT
    Each of you will receive personal support, guidance and coaching on your journey as a practitioner.
    6
Many people associate anxiety with thinking, which often leads to the refrain: “It would be better not to think!” In this course, we train you to think well—consciously, rigorously, and deeply—and to enjoy the process. Our tutors work closely with each participant, exploring how you think and how you see the world.

This Philosophical Counseling and Practice course is not just a training program—it’s a lifestyle.
RESULTS
COGNITIVE
  • Think more flexibly and clearly
  • Find multiple interpretations of a person’s behavior
  • Name things more accurately
  • Give structured and clear answers
  • Notice problems in people’s speech and explain them simply
  • Ask effective questions
  • Analyze someone’s thinking based on their speech
  • Understand yourself and others better
  • Switch between tasks more smoothly
  • Investigate problems philosophically
  • Reflect on yourself and the world in a broader, more engaging way
PSYCHOLOGICAL
  • Become more autonomous in your thinking
  • Increase your confidence
  • Develop greater patience with others
  • Improve dialogues with people
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Cultivate calmness in life and in conversations
  • Enhance your cognitive empathy
THREE REASONS TO STUDY WITH US
-1-
Training program that is based on practice 80% of the time
-2-
Valuable feedback on your thinking
-3-
Community for years to come and opportunity to grow as a professional
PROGRAM ORGANISATION
  • Institute of Philosophical Practices
    The Institute of Philosophical Practices (IPP), founded by Oscar Brenifier and Isabelle Millon, has been promoting philosophy as a living practice for over twenty-five years, both in public life and in the field of education. Its activities — workshops, individual consultations, seminars, and interventions in various contexts and educational institutions — aim to foster “thinking for oneself” and critical dialogue. Recognized in France and internationally, the association trains numerous people in philosophical practice and critical thinking.
  • Leila Millon
    Leila is the designer and manager of this 3-month program, as well as the director of the online courses in English and French. She is one of IPP's main trainers, and regularly develops and creates new courses, trainings and programs.
    She grew up in philosophical practice. She has attended many seminars, workshops and different kinds of philosophical work, and has become a practitioner herself over the last ten years. She has also studied music from an early age and graduated from UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal) in music and singing. She leads an artistic life combining music and philosophy. Her main specialties are philosophical consulting and coaching, practitioners training, and projects in art, thinking and psychology.
With the collaboration of
  • Oscar Brenifier
    Oscar Brenifier holds a Bachelor of biology degree (University of Ottawa) and a PhD in Philosophy (Paris IV – Sorbonne). For many years, in France as well as in the rest of the world, he has been working on the concept of 'philosophical practice', both from a theoretical and practical viewpoint. He is one of the main promoters of the project of philosophy in the city, organizing philosophy workshops for children and adults and philosophy cafés, working as a philosophy consultant, etc. He has published about thirty books in this domain, including the 'Philozenfants' series (Editions Nathan), which has been translated into over twenty-five languages. He co-founded the Institute of philosophical practices (Institut de Pratiques Philosophiques), to train philosophers-practitioners and organize philosophy workshops in various places: schools, old people's homes, prisons, media centers, organizations, business companies… He is one of the authors of the UNESCO report: "Philosophy, a school of freedom". He held lectures and seminars in different universities around the world.
  • Isabelle Millon
    Critical thinking teacher specialized in philosophy for children and education, trainer, consultant (adults and children), director of the Institute of Philosophical Practices (Paris, France) that she co-founded, researcher and co-author of books for children, young adults and adults. More than twenty years ago, she committed herself to promoting the development of critical thinking as a philosophical practice in the city, and mainly in the field of education, where she works with teachers, learners (aged 6 to 18), parents, and players in social and cultural life, in France and around the world (some thirty countries to date). For more than twenty years, Isabelle has been working in France and in many countries on the development of critical thinking as philosophical practice, holding workshops and seminars all over the world, focusing more on pedagogical projects in schools with teachers and learners, training of groups to critical thinking, and mainly people involved in educational, social, political and cultural domains.
  • Tutors team
    The training is led by philosopher-practitioners trained by the Institute of Philosophical Practices, together with regular collaborators of the IPP.
3 types of certificates are provided:

1. IPP certificate for completion of the course.

In order to receive Certificate type 1:
- minimum attendance of 80% of the course.

2. IPP certificate for mastering the competencies required in PP.

In order to receive Certificate type 2:
- minimum attendance of 80% of classes
- minimum of 80% of completed tasks
- high quality of the written tasks

3. IPP certification as a philosophical practionner

In order to receive Certificate type 3:
- minimum attendance of 80% of classes
- minimum of 80% of completed tasks
- high quality of the written tasks
- mastering the facillitation of collective workshops and ability to do a philosophical consultation
- attendance to the 3 levels (level 1, 2 and 3)


WHO THIS COURSE IS FOR
Course is made for everyone who works with people
  • anyone who wants to improve critical thinking
  • ⁠Human resources professionals and recruiters
  • Personal or business coaches
  • Psychologists, psychotherapists, and art therapists
  • Intellectuals
  • Leaders, executives, and CEOs
  • Individuals passionate about self-discovery
  • ⁠Those seeking a career change
After completing the full 3-level course, you will be able to:
  • Apply techniques and tools for effective thinking in your everyday life and work
  • Understand a person through a single sentence or question
  • Ask relevant and thought-provoking questions that foster deeper reflection
  • Grasp the essence of a dialogue more quickly by identifying problems and how to address them
  • Conduct individual or group philosophical sessions with confidence
  • Receive an offer to become a tutor in our program or collaborate professionally with the IPP (only by invitation)
Program Fee per Level (3 months)
You can pay in full or choose a monthly installment plan.

If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact us to discuss a possible special arrangement.

Financial agreements are limited, so we encourage you to write to us as soon as possible.

For those interested in completing several levels, we offer special package options. Please contact us for more information.
BASIC PROGRAM
  • Access to all educational material (content, recordings, group chats)
  • Feedback on written assignments
  • Participation in seminars and weekly Zoom sessions
  • 2 private calls of 30 minutes with a tutor
  • Communication in Telegram chat for group work, supervision & coaching
  • 1 private consultation (for level 1 only)
€1000
€800 (Early bird until December 1st)
Write to us to enroll
PROGRAM + OPTION CONSULTATION (Level 1 only)
  • Access to all educational material (content, recordings, group chats)
  • Feedback on written assignments
  • Participation in seminars and weekly Zoom sessions
  • 2 private calls of 30 minutes with a tutor
  • Communication in Telegram chat for group work, supervision & coaching
  • 1 private consultation
  • 6 collective sessions on Philosophical Consultation
€1150
€920 (Early bird until December 1st)
Write to us to enroll
Special Scolarship Offer

We’re happy to announce that we’re offering 5 partial scholarships for this course, to support motivated students who wish to join but are currently facing financial challenges.
With this offer, you can join the basic program (any level) for
€600 instead of €1000.

Payment can be made in one, two, or three instalments.
If you’d like to apply, contact us as soon as possible. Limited to 5 students.

🕒 Applications for this scolarship are open until December 31st, and places are limited to five participants.
Priority will be given to new students who wish to study with us.
LEVEL 1 & LEVELS 2:

For those who are interested, 2 more options are proposed in order to offer you the possibility of having individual sessions with a coach of our team. As part of these sessions, you can work on the exercises that are difficult for you, you can practice consultation, or work on any other skill of your choice. These sessions last one hour and can be done whenever during the program.

Option 1: 5 individual sessions
Option 2: 10 individual sessions
Basic program + 5 individual sessions
  • Access to all educational material (content, recordings, group chats)
  • Feedback on written assignments
  • Participation in seminars and weekly Zoom sessions
  • 2 private calls of 30 minutes with a tutor
  • Communication in Telegram chat for group work, supervision & coaching
  • 1 private consultation
  • 5h of private coaching
€1350
€1080 (Early bird until December 1st)
Write to us to enroll
Basic program + 10 individual sessions
  • Access to all educational material (content, recordings, group chats)
  • Feedback on written assignments
  • Participation in seminars and weekly Zoom sessions
  • 2 private calls of 30 minutes with a tutor
  • Communication in Telegram chat for group work, supervision & coaching
  • 1 private consultation
  • 10h of private coaching
€1600
€1280 (Early bird until December 1st)
Write to us to enroll
FAQ
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
1
Submit the form
2
Contact us
Send us an email at institutdepra.philo@gmail.com
or a message on WhatsApp/Telegram to the mentor of the program Leila
+33 7 68 42 82 08 (WhatsApp)
3
Pay for the course
You can pay:
1. By Credit Card
2. By bank transfer
3. By Paypal

(Write to us to receive the credit card link, the bank information or a paypal request)
4
Join our Telegram chat

Link to come one week before the beginning of the program
Sign up
Leave your mobile phone number or contact us
+33 7 68 42 82 08 (WhatsApp)
or write to us institutdepra.philo@gmail.com

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