Hello! My name is Keith Richter and I have two master level degrees in both rehabilitation counseling and social work. For the past 10 years I've been working at a mental health facility in Meriden, Connecticut, specializing in group and individual therapy. Before working here I worked in similar facilities for about 5 years. I was born in Florida, and got both my master level degrees there. I got my degree in rehabilitation counseling at the University of South Florida in 1967 and my social work degree in 1991. I started my counseling career after I moved to Connecticut in 1995, and have been "climbing the ladder" ever since.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy has been very appealing to me because it helps undermine our natural inclination to try to control/avoid unwanted thoughts and feelings, and that by accepting/allowing them, we can give them space to come and go. So I believe that the real enemy we face isn't a particular thought or feeling, but it's the struggle to control that's the problem. So we can't really control unwanted thoughts/feelings, but we can learn to relate to them more productively. Also, I like ACT's emphasis on identifying values. and looking at the obstacles that are getting in the way of our living values more fully, and that by learning the "observer self" skill we can learn to be a non-judgmental observer of difficult thoughts, feelings and beliefs. By being able to stay with them in the moment, it gives us confidence that we can stand them one moment at a time. Therefore, by using mindfulness skills we are much more aware of how are mind can hijack our attention into our thoughts. In short, I want to help my clients "Get out of their heads, and into their lives!"
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Commitment Issues, Control issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing
CT LCSW 005287
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Keith Richter. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Keith is great. He provides valuable insight and through talking with him I have had many a break through. He has such a calm voice and has made me see mindfulness in a deeper way. So grateful to Keith!
Written on Jun 11, 2021 after therapy with Keith for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, and relationship issues
Keith is excellent. I came to him with anger and anxiety issues that have been so totally eased by his counseling that I’ve achieved a calm and grateful attitude I’ve been missing. Bravo and thanks Keith
Written on May 25, 2021 after therapy with Keith for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes