Reality Therapy
Reality therapy was developed by William Glasser and grounded in cognitive and behavioral theory and interventions. Reality therapy focuses on the present and helps people change their thoughts and actions. This therapy is a little more philosophical than the previous cognitive-behavior approaches. It emphasizes self-determination and process more than actual results. Goals
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Concepts
Control Theory Glasser incorporated concepts from control theory in his reality therapy. Glasser believes people are driven by inner control systems in the brain. These control systems can sometimes misdirect their efforts. "Awareness and assessment are the keys to modifying our control systems" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 371). |
Choice Theory In 1996 Glasser determined that reality therapy was choice theory rather than control theory. "Choice theory postulates that people's choices of thoughts, feelings, and actions largely determine the quality of their lives" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014 p. 371). The idea that the brain is a control system still exists, but choice theory is more important. |
Human Development
- "Problems originate in early childhood when we encounter people people who believe they know what is right for us" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 371). However people are viewed as capable self-determined individuals who are able to overcome their early difficulties.
- "Problems originate in early childhood when we encounter people people who believe they know what is right for us" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 371). However people are viewed as capable self-determined individuals who are able to overcome their early difficulties.
Five Basic Needs
Belonging
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Power/Acheivement
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Fun/Enjoyment
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Freedom/Independence
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Survival
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Mental Illness vs. Mental Health
- Mental illness: "people's failure to meet their five needs in responsible and effective ways" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372).
- Mental Health: People who are successful at meeting their five needs in responsible and effective ways
Total Behavior and Motivation
- "All aspects of functioning are related to behavior" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372). Total behavior is a person's overall functioning that is composed of acting, thinking, feelings, and physiology. Reality therapists believe that all behavior is chosen. "We have more direct control over our actions and thinking than we do our emotions" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372). Therefore, reality therapy focuses on thoughts and actions the most.
Quality Worlds
- These worlds are formed form "pictures or images of the sort of life [the client] would like to have, the people they want to be with, the possessions or experiences they would like to have, and the ideas and beliefs they value" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372). If this pictures are unrealistic the client will experience frustration and disappointment.
- Mental illness: "people's failure to meet their five needs in responsible and effective ways" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372).
- Mental Health: People who are successful at meeting their five needs in responsible and effective ways
Total Behavior and Motivation
- "All aspects of functioning are related to behavior" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372). Total behavior is a person's overall functioning that is composed of acting, thinking, feelings, and physiology. Reality therapists believe that all behavior is chosen. "We have more direct control over our actions and thinking than we do our emotions" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372). Therefore, reality therapy focuses on thoughts and actions the most.
Quality Worlds
- These worlds are formed form "pictures or images of the sort of life [the client] would like to have, the people they want to be with, the possessions or experiences they would like to have, and the ideas and beliefs they value" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 372). If this pictures are unrealistic the client will experience frustration and disappointment.
WDEP System
W: Wants- Counselors look at the pictures in the client's quality world and focus on what the client wants that they are getting, what the client wants that he or she is not getting, and what the client is getting that they do not want. And counselors ask how this want provides for the clients needs.
D: Direction and Doing- Reality therapists explore a client's total behavior. The focus is on what people are doing, not on why they are doing it. E: Evaluation- Counselors encourage clients to evaluate their goals, actions, perceptions and their consequences. Evaluation will show which goals are realistic and helpful. P: Planning- Counselors stress the importance of long term goals and dividing them into short-term realistic plans. The following is a list of eight qualities of viable plans: |
Importance of Relationships
- Relationships are key to both development of difficulties and achievement of a more rewarding life. "People who have no close relationships are almost always lonely and feel bad" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 376).
- Relationships are key to both development of difficulties and achievement of a more rewarding life. "People who have no close relationships are almost always lonely and feel bad" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 376).
Treatment
Therapeutic Alliance
- A positive client-counselor relationship is essential
- Counselors provide perceptions and personal experiences
- Counselors ask for feedback and pay little attention to transference and countertransference
- Will have basic friendly conversations about sports or what to wear if it helps build rapport
- A positive client-counselor relationship is essential
- Counselors provide perceptions and personal experiences
- Counselors ask for feedback and pay little attention to transference and countertransference
- Will have basic friendly conversations about sports or what to wear if it helps build rapport
Techniques/Strategies
Metaphors- "Reality therapists use metaphors, similes, images, analogies, and anecdotes to give clients a powerful message in a creative way" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 378).
Relationships - Counselors encourage clients to form relationships and coach them on ways to make them rewarding. Questions - "Counselors used carefully structures questions to help people take a close look at their lives and determine what does and does not need to change" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 376). WDEP and SAM^2C^3 - These help keep treatment focused and productive. Positive Addictions - Positive addictions that promote mental strength and alertness, creativity, energy, confidence, and focus can help replace negative addictions. Using Verb and "ing" words - This helps imply that "emotions are not fixed states but instead are actions that can be changed" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 379). |
Reasonable Consequences
- Reality therapists do not advocate making excuses and believe that people should be responsible for their actions and therefore experience the consequences. Then in therapy they focus on what the client can choose to do differently next time. Renegotiation - When the client relapses of backtracks renegotiation is used to make changes and developing new plans. Paradoxical Interventions - As we have seen with Viktor Frankl in existential therapy, reality therapy also uses paradoxical interventions. These take two forms: 1. They relabel or reframe to promote choice and control. Example: disappointments are labelled as learning experiences rather than failures. 2. Paradoxical prescriptions- counselors have clients imagine the worst case scenario and find ways to cope with it . Skill Development - Counselors help clients develop skills that help them fulfill their needs and wants in a responsible way. Examples: Assertiveness, rational thinking, development of positive addictions, and planning. |
Examples
Information provided by:
Seligman, L. & Reichenberg, L. (2014). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills. (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Seligman, L. & Reichenberg, L. (2014). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills. (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.