Transcript Chapter 7 Reality Therapy

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
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Emphasizes:
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The fulfillment of psychological needs.
The resolution of personal difficulties.
The prevention of future problems.
William Glasser
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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
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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
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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
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A major tenet of reality therapy is its focus
on consciousness:
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Human beings operate on a conscious level.
They are not driven by unconscious forces or
instincts.
Health / Growth Force
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Believes that there is a health/growth force
within everyone which is manifested at two
levels:
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Physical
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Food, Water, Shelter
Psychological
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Belonging, Power, Freedom, Fun
Need for Identity
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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
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Glasser believes that there are two critical
periods in children’s lives.
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Ages 2-5
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Primary goal is to help clients become
psychologically strong and rational and
realize they have choices in the ways they
treat themselves and others.
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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
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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
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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
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Teaching
Employing Behavior
Confrontation
Role-playing
Feedback
Formulation of Specific Plans
Contracts
WDEP System
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Wants, Direction, Evaluation, Plan
Multicultural and Gender
Sensitive Issues
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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
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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
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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
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How would you conceptualize this case using
reality therapy?
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What would be your treatment plan for this client
using a reality therapy approach?