Reality Therapy

       

                                    William Glasser 1925-           Robert E. Wubbolding 1936-

Reality Therapy

• Founders- William Glasser and Robert Wubbolding (Corey, 2012). 
• Key concepts- view of human nature, choice theory explanation of behavior, and characteristics of reality therapy (Corey, 2012). 

1. View of human nature- this concept says that we are not born with a blank slate waiting to be motivated by the world around us but that we are born with five basic needs of survival, love, belonging, power, and freedom (Corey, 2012). Our brain is the control center in which is continually monitoring our feelings and what we are doing to satisfy our five basic needs (Corey, 2012). This therapy reminds us that other people are very important in the quality of our life and that is who we will most likely connect with. 
2. Choice theory explanation of behavior- this theory says that from birth to death all we ever do in life is behave and everything we do is chosen (Corey, 2012). People usually tries to do whatever it takes to be on their best behavior at least until they get what they want. According to Glasser he believe that complaining is sometimes related to wanting to take lack of responsibility for something. 
3. Characteristics of reality therapy- reality therapy deals with what is not very satisfying in a relationship a client has or the lack of a relationship in which this is often where the problem is for the client. Five underlying characteristics of reality therapy include emphasize choice and responsibility, reject transference, keep the therapy in the present, avoid focusing on symptoms, and challenge traditional views of mental illness. 1. emphasize choice and responsibility- this concept is just that we are free to choose what we do but yet we must take responsibility for whatever the consequences may be. 2. reject transference- it is important that a therapist be themselves and by doing so this helps clients with other people in their lives. 3. keep the therapy in the present- it is important to keep a client focused on the the present and not so much of whatever has happened in the past. 4. avoid focusing on symptoms- in reality therapy focusing on past and symptoms are very much alike because the client then does not focus on present and the here and now which is what reality therapy is for. 5. challenge traditional views of mental illness- in reality therapy it is more common to reject the theory that someone has a mental illness because they are receiving therapy. 

• Therapeutic goals- reality therapy main goal is to help clients to get connected or to reconnect to those that in whom they place value. It's about having clients reconnect with the present and not so much worried about the past. This is usually a therapy that client will choose to come to own their own. 
• Techniques- the best techniques are the cycle of counseling in which has two parts: creating a counseling environment and implementing specific changes that can help with better behavior (Corey, 2012). Counseling environment- a supportive environment helps clients begin to make positive life changes.  Procedures that lead to change- clients are usually most likely to change when the way they are doing things are not satisfying their needs and wants. Another important technique that was formed by Wubbolding is the WDEP system. This system helps clients explore their wants, possible things they can do, opportunities for self-evaluation, and design plans for improvement (Corey, 2012). 

Reference

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont, CA

            Brooks/Cole.