Life doesn’t come with an instruction manual. What are you supposed to do with these emotions, thoughts, and behaviors? How do you get rid of the ones you don’t want and cultivate the ones you do? Somewhere, close by, a cognitive behavioral therapist is ready to roll up his sleeves and tell you. Continue readingContinue reading “The Mind’s Instruction Manual: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy”
Author Archives: Keith R Wilson
An Introduction to Feelings
I get it if you don’t think it’s important to talk about your feelings. I really do. You see, I haven’t always been a therapist, asking people about their feelings. I used to do hard work: building things, cooking things, and growing things. When I was younger, I played sports that had me hurl myContinue reading “An Introduction to Feelings”
Eleanor Oliphant Might Be Completely FineBut Using Therapists to Resolve Your Plot Isn’t
Ordinarily, I avoid reading books and watching movies that portray head shrinking because I’m careful to maintain a work/life balance. But I couldn’t ignore Eleanor Oliphant. Continue reading →
Privilege
I’ve been to some pretty rough places, but have seldom been afraid. This isn’t because I’m a tough guy. It’s because I’m a guy; a white guy, six-foot-tall, two hundred pounds, more muscular and athletic than most. Nothing bad has ever happened to me. That’s my privilege. Continue reading →
How to Help a Person Grow
The Ins, Outs, and Limitations of Person-Centered Therapy 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. Continue reading →
The DSM: A Mad Attempt to Classify Madness
The Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) is a large book, in five editions, that you will likely find in every shrink’s office. It has every kind of mental illness recognized by the American Psychiatric Association defined, classified, and numbered; all 157 of them. Your therapist will refer to it daily, not because it unlocks the doorContinue reading “The DSM: A Mad Attempt to Classify Madness”
Fresh Brewed by Keith R Wilson
There are two things I’d like to introduce. The first is my newsletter, Fresh Brewed, where I can keep you informed of everything coming out of my laptop. The second is my new novel, Who Killed the Lisping Barista of the Epiphany Café?, a murder mystery investigating the mysteries of life. I’ll be releasing thisContinue reading “Fresh Brewed by Keith R Wilson”
Mental Illness is One Thing, Madness is Another
I have many role models, but two of them are of the negative type: people who have made mistakes I want to avoid. The first is James Nasmith, the inventor of the game of basketball; the second is Thomas Jefferson. Continue reading →
Freedom
If you have ever been to a sawmill like the one I used to run, you have seen one of the most fearsome objects you are ever likely to meet: a saw blade at least three feet in diameter with teeth as big as a tiger’s whirring loudly just a couple feet from the operator.Continue reading “Freedom”
Evidence-Based Therapy
In the peculiar land of shrinks, evidence-based therapy is a phrase we use a lot. It’s supposed to refer to therapy that’s backed by scientific evidence. But what they call evidence-based therapy is not evidence-based therapy. It’s a term for a standardized, manualized, commoditized therapy protocol. It’s not necessarily the best therapy for you.Continue readingContinue reading “Evidence-Based Therapy”