Who are we?

Ran Lahav is the director of the Deep Philosophy School. He has been internationally active in the philosophical practice movement since 1992, and has given numerous retreats, workshops and presentations around the world. He received his PhD in philosophy and MA in Psychology from the University of Michigan, USA, and taught at several universities. He published books and articles in philosophy, philosophical practice, contemplation, and spirituality. He currently directs the Training Program of Philosophical Counseling of the Deep Philosophy School.

Karin Fechner is the administrator of the Deep Philosophy School. She holds an MA in psychology and is a philosophical practitioner and counselor, living in Germany and Italy. Previously she worked as a fashion designer, after receiving a Master’s degree in textile and clothing technology in Moenchengladbach, Germany. She joined the Deep Philosophy group in 2019, and since then facilitated sessions, taught classes, designed publications and wrote chapters in DP books.

Kirill Rezvushkin is an associate professor at the Department of Philosophy of South Ural State University in Chelyabinsk, in central Russia. In 2009 he received his specialist diploma (equivalent to the Master’s degree) in Russian Philology, and in 2016 his specialist diploma in history at Chelyabinsk State University. His dissertation on philosophy, which he defended in 2015, was about authenticity. He is currently a candidate of sciences (Russian equivalent of PhD).

Sergey Borisov is a doctor of philosophy and professor at South Ural State University (Chelyabinsk, Russia). Since 2014 he has been active in the international movement of philosophical practice. He conducts a philosophical cafe in Chelyabinsk, and works in the Philosophy for Children program at a Montessori center. He is the head of the scientific project “Theory and practice of philosophical consulting: comparative approach,” which received financial support from the Russian Foundation for Basic Research.

Jairo Sandoval received his philosophy degree from the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico. He participated in a number of international colloquia, based on his research on topics ranging from political philosophy to ancient philosophy. He has recently facilitated several philosophical cafés in the online format and is working to develop himself as a philosophical counselor. He considers philosophy as a way of self-knowledge and as an art of living. He is beginning his Master’s studies in contemporary philosophy.

Alejandro Rodríguez is a Mexican philosophical practitioner and school teacher. He received his philosophy degree from the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM) and studied philosophical practice at the CECAPFI, where he works now. He also teaches at high school, where he applies methodologies of philosophy for children, but since 2018 he is mainly active as a philosophical counselor. He considers philosophizing as a way of giving meaning to our existence, by helping us to relate to our deepest concerns.

Stefania Giordano is an Italian philosophical practitioner since 2007. She received her Master’s Degree in Philosophy with a thesis on philosophical counseling, and then studied philosophical practice at the Sicof School in Rome, where she now works and teaches. She facilitated many philosophical groups and one-to-one sessions, worked as a philosophical practitioner in high schools, and wrote articles on the topic. She is a family mediator and works at a women’s center crisis. She is now working on a second Master’s degree in Educational Science.

Nikolai Khmyrov is an expert in adult learning and assessment in St. Petersburg, Russia. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology (2004) and master’s degree in organizational psychology (2011), both from St. Petersburg State University. In 2020 he joined the philosophical practice movement after completing a course in Philosophical Counseling, and in January of 2022 completed his training as a Deep Philosophy facilitator. He also conducts sessions in Critical Thinking, Practical Philosophy and Management Assessment, and believes in philosophy as a way of life.

Florent Couturier, living in Paris, France, has a Master’s degree in philosophy and publishing. His interest in the wisdom traditions and in philosophy as a spiritual practice led him to want to become a conduit for them through his work as an editor and teacher. His desire to understand and experience a contemplative form of philosophy, in search of realness, brought him to Deep Philosophy. His favorite word is “Sophia” as a token of affection towards this discipline that has given him so much.