Chapter 7

Reality Therapy

Reality Therapy

Formulated by William Glasser in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s.

Emphasizes choices that people can make to change their lives.

Flexible, friendly, firm and action-oriented. Focuses on two general concepts:

The environment necessary for conducting counseling.

The procedures leading to change.

Reality Therapy Emphasizes:

The fulfillment of psychological needs. The resolution of personal difficulties. The prevention of future problems.

William Glasser

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1925 and was the youngest child of a close-knit family.

Developed reality therapy because he wanted an approach that was practical and more easily understood by both clinicians and the public.

Founded the Institute of Reality Therapy in Canoga Park, California, and applied reality therapy to the areas of school settings and identity.

Control Theory

In 1981, Glasser linked his work with control theory.

Argues that all behavior is generated from inside persons and the only thing that people obtain from the outside world is information.

Choice Theory

In 1996, Glasser abandoned control theory as part of his approach and adopted choice theory in its place.

Argues that people choose to be the way they are.

View of Human Nature/Personality

A major tenet of reality therapy is its focus on consciousness: Human beings operate on a conscious level. They are not driven by unconscious forces or

instincts.

Health / Growth Force

Believes that there is a health/growth force within everyone which is manifested at two levels: Physical

Food, Water, Shelter Psychological

Belonging, Power, Freedom, Fun

Need for Identity

The development of a psychologically healthy sense of self.

Identity needs are met by being accepted as a person by others.

Whether these needs are met adequately or not will determine whether a success identity or failure identity will result.

A failure identity is characterized by a lack of confidence and a tendency to give up easily.

Child Development

Glasser believes that there are two critical periods in children’s lives. Ages 2-5

Children learn early socialization skills. During this period, children need love,acceptance, guidance,

and involvement of their parents or a failure identity may be established.

Ages 5-10 Children are involved with school and gain knowledge and

self-concept. Many children establish a failure identity during this period

because of socialization difficulties or learning problems.

Choice Theory

Individuals are ultimately self-determining. Individuals can choose to be miserable or

mentally disturbed or they may choose to live their lives in positive ways and give up trying to control others.

People who are mentally healthy will be in noncontrolling relationships with significant others in their lives.

Roles of the Counselor/Therapist

Serve primarily as teachers and models. Build relationships with clients by developing trust. They emphasize choice – on what clients choose

to do. Positive, constructive actions are emphasized. Special attention is paid to metaphors and themes

clients verbalize. There is little attempt to test, diagnose, or

otherwise analyze clients’ actions.

Goals

Primary goal is to help clients become psychologically strong and rational and realize they have choices in the ways they treat themselves and others. If this goal is reached, they become

autonomous and responsible. Leads to the formation of a success identity.

Help clients clarify what they want in life.

Goals

Formulate a realistic plan to achieve personal needs and wishes.

Establish meaningful relationships between counselors and clients.

Focus on behavior and the present. Aims to eliminate punishment and

excuses from clients’ lives.

Process

Process is based on action-oriented techniques.

Helps clients realize they have control in how they respond to events and people.

Counselors should not give up on clients even if clients fail, but should tenaciously encourage their clients.

Techniques

Teaching Employing Behavior Confrontation Role-playing Feedback Formulation of Specific Plans Contracts WDEP System

Wants, Direction, Evaluation, Plan

Multicultural and Gender Sensitive Issues

Respects individual cultural differences. Main criticism is that it does not take into

account environmental forces such as discrimination and racism.

Emphasizes the empowerment of clients to make choices regardless of their gender.

May be limited to what it can do for women.

Strengths and Contributions

Versatility in application to disorders and populations. Concreteness. Emphasizes short-term treatment. The approach has national training centers. Promotes responsibility and freedom within individuals

without blame or criticism. Has successfully challenged the medical model of client

treatment. Addresses the resolution of conflict. Stresses the present.

Limitations and Criticisms

Ignores concepts such as the unconscious and personal history.

Holds that all forms of mental illness are attempts to deal with external events.

Criticized for being too simple. Susceptible to becoming overly moralistic. Dependence on establishing a good counselor-client

relationship. Dependence on verbal interaction and two-way

communication. Keeps changing its focus and emphasis.

The Case of Linda: Reality Therapy

How would you conceptualize this case using reality therapy?

What would be your treatment plan for this client using a reality therapy approach?