The problem of our research is a complex of issues related to cultural and historical, theoretical, methodological and institutional aspects of the emergence and spread of such a new direction of modern philosophy as philosophical practice (philosophical counseling). The study is devoted to the development of the theory for the generalization, systematization and interpretation of extensive empirical material accumulated in the thirty-year history of this philosophical direction. On the basis of this theory historical and philosophical vision of the direction will be possible. The key condition of the research is the use of comparative approach, which establishes clear criteria for comparative analysis of philosophical concepts, basic concepts, forms and ways of philosophizing, used in philosophical practice. Our research provides an opportunity to define the basic principles, to build a typology of ideas, approaches, schools and trends of philosophical practice. This is the first comprehensive study to identify the role and place of philosophical practice in modern culture, which can become a reserve for new interdisciplinary philosophical research in this area.