Keith R Wilson

The Reflective Eclectic

I’ve written hundreds of articles on mental health and relationships. My latest are published in Substack, in a weekly newsletter, The Reflective Eclectic.

A therapist not trained in Person-Centered Therapy is like a musician who never learned his scales, basic skills for his profession. But, going to a therapist who only practices Person-Centered Therapy is like listening to a musician practicing scales. It gets pretty tedious and you wonder if it’ll ever go anywhere. Carl Rogers, who developedContinue reading “How to Help a Person Grow”

How to Escape the Identity Trap

My client was a young, black woman, anxious about fitting in to her new job, and worried that she’d never find anyone to love, with so few eligible black men available. I wondered why she was seeing me. I am a licensed counselor, but I am not, nor have I ever been a black woman.Continue reading “How to Escape the Identity Trap”

Why I Don’t Specialize in Anything

As a therapist, I could’ve had a specialty; but I wouldn’t be the kind of therapist I am. I did some post grad work in family therapy and some more in substance abuse. I sought for ways to address the desire my clients had to quit using tobacco back in the days when few othersContinue reading “Why I Don’t Specialize in Anything”

Announcing My New Substack

Announcing My New Substack I’m Keith Wilson, a psychotherapist in private practice and writer of novels, short stories, poems, self help books, and hundreds of articles focused on mental health, relationships, philosophy, and the practice of psychotherapy. I’m awed by everything a psychology of depth, insight and relationship has to offer and want to share itContinue reading “Announcing My New Substack”

While You’ve Been Collecting Tokens at Your Meeting, Your Addiction Has Been Doing Pushups in the Dark

While You’ve Been Collecting Tokens at Your Meeting, Your Addiction Has Been Pumping Iron in the Parking Lot So, you’ve stopped drinking or drugging. The addiction seems to have gone away. Has it, really? Addiction takes cover sometimes when it feels threatened. It’ll hide in the bushes and come roaring out when you least suspect it.Continue reading “While You’ve Been Collecting Tokens at Your Meeting, Your Addiction Has Been Doing Pushups in the Dark”

Why Ask Why?

Sooner or later, if you come to me for therapy, I’ll ask you to put, in a single sentence, your objective in seeing me. I ask this because I want to know how to be successful. I also want you to define your goal. The most common answer I get is something like, “I wantContinue reading “Why Ask Why?”

The Shrink’s Links: Journaling

Writing a journal has been a big part of my own life ever since I began to examine the inside of my head. I’ve used it to express how I felt when I couldn’t express it anywhere else. It’s been a way I can pin down rushing thoughts and wayward feelings. I’ve sorted through choicesContinue reading “The Shrink’s Links: Journaling”

The Shrink’s Links: A Guide for Students With Mental Health Disorders

Going to college can be a challenging experience for anyone, but for students with mental health problems, it can be even more difficult. From dealing with the stress of coursework to navigating social situations, college life can exacerbate mental health issues. However, there are resources available to help students with mental health disorders succeed inContinue reading “The Shrink’s Links: A Guide for Students With Mental Health Disorders”

Can You See a Therapist for Couple’s Counseling Who You’re Already Seeing for Individual Counseling?

When I’m working with you in individual counseling towards one goal, can you start couple’s counseling with me and your partner, towards a different goal? It seems like having only one therapist do both would be more convenient, but many therapists flat out refuse because of the complications that may ensue. Some believe it’s unethical,Continue reading “Can You See a Therapist for Couple’s Counseling Who You’re Already Seeing for Individual Counseling?”