Theory/Approach: Reality Therapy / Choice Theory by William Glasser Tracy Bazemore, Jill Brue, James Dalton, Angel Knoverek,

e, Jill Brue, James Dalton, Angel Knoverek, & David Olges

Assumptions Methods/Techniques Targeted Outcomes Position of Therapist Multicultural Issues Faith

Consistency/Conflict
The only behavior we can control The therapist must quickly Overall Goal A therapist needs to A criticism of RT is its Those who have power,
is our own, and no one can really build a firm emotional The overall goal is to guide spend time listening applicability to different including religious leaders
make us do what we do not want to relationship with the client clients so that they can face actively, reflecting, and cultural groups. Some say who define whats right
do (Glasser, 1998, p. 332). (Glasser, 1965, p. 21). reality and fulfill their needs helping the child focus on that Glasser doesnt consider from wrong, support
(Glasser, 1965, p. 20). him- or herself the culturally specific rather external control
Other people do not make us Therapists use Control Theory (Wubbolding, 1993, p. that he emphasizes the psychology, which creates
happy or miserable. All they can to find out what is wrong with Therapy will be successful 12). culturally universal widespread misery
give or get is information, and their clients and in what when they are able to give up (Peterson, 2005, p. 13). (Glasser, 1998, p. 6).
information doesnt make us do or direction to go to help them denying the world and Attending behaviors
feel (Glasser, 1998, p. 3). (Glasser, 1989, p. 1). recognize that reality not only provide a foundation for Glasser claimed everyone had Evolution is our earliest
exists but that they must fulfill the relationship between the same genetic needs instincts to control our
Good relationships are important Message of Control Theory their needs within its the counselor and the regardless of culture environment (Glasser,
to a successful life. There are four Once we understand its basic framework (Glasser, 1965, p. client. These include (Peterson, 2005, p. 13). 1998, p. 26). The
major relationships: husband-wife, ideas, specifically the needs, 6). eye contact/facial Christian might define this
parent-child, teacher-students, and the pictures in the heads, and expression indicating Wubbolding said that the instinct as part of our
manager-worker (Glasser, 1998, p. the concepts of total behavior . . Focus is more on behavior genuine interest; open, questions could be adapted fallen nature.
ix). All long-lasting psychological . we can choose to do better outcomes then on attitude receptive physical posture; based on cultural issues
problems are relationship with our lives (Glasser, 1989, change (Glasser, 1965, p. 51). verbal tracking and (Peterson, 2005, p. 13). Caring for those that are
problems (Glasser, 1998, p. 333). p. 2). reflective listening; non- not related to us is a
Overall goal is accomplished verbal attending; Glasser notes that little uniquely human,
The problem relationship is always Human Beings 5 Basic Needs: by addressing basic needs and paraphrasing and restating research has been completed genetically coded trait
part of our present lives (Glasser, Survival assisting client to connect to (Wubbolding, 1993, p. regarding RTs application to (Glasser, 1998, p. 26).
1998, p. 334). To be happy, we Love & Belonging - Primary others (Corey, 2005, p. 476). 13). non-western cultures (Glasser Christians might attribute
need at least one satisfying personal Power & Wubbolding, 1995). this characteristic to the
relationship. Freedom Fulfilling Needs Practice the ABs: work of God in us.
Fun Whatever the symptom, it Always Be (A-B) . . . RT is taught, studied and
The past may be painful, but (Glasser, 1984, p. 5-18). disappears when the persons C-Courteous, Calm, practiced mainly in countries If everyone could learn
revisiting it does not help with what needs are successfully Consistent with western cultures (Nystul that what is right for me
we need to do now, which is to Have clients identify their fulfilled (Glasser, 1965, p. 5). D-Determined & Shaughnessey, 1995, p. does not make it right for
improve an important, present Quality World - contains our E-Enthusiastic 442). anyone else, the world
relationship (Glasser, 1998, p. 334). best or highest quality pictures Main goal in addressing needs F-Firm would be a much happier
or perceptions of the people, is to address the two (Wubbolding, 1988, p. 13- Since RT is a direct method place (Glasser, 1998, p.
Besides a survival instinct, things, and situations that we psychiatric needs of humans: 14; Wubbolding, 1993, p. of therapy, it may need to be 53). Glasser advocates
humans are genetically have learned feel especially the need to love and be loved 13-18). adjusted for cultures which relativism that could
programmed to try to satisfy four
psychological needs: love and
belonging, power, freedom, and
fun (Glasser, 1998, p. 28).
Our basic needs are met only if
we satisfy a picture in our quality
world (Glasser, 1998, p. 335).
Each person has his own, unique
quality world. In this world a
person has pictures that show the
best way to satisfy his basic needs.
These pictures portray 1) the
people we want most to be with, 2)
the things we most want to own or
experience, and 3) the ideas or
systems of belief that govern much
of our behavior (Glasser, 1998, p.
45).
What is right for me does not
make it right for everyone. We
would be happier if we would
tolerate each others quality worlds
(Glasser, 1998, p. 53).
There are two pictures of self in the
quality world. One is slightly
idealized while the other is
extremely idealized (Glasser,
1998, p. 53).
All we can do our entire life is
behave. Total behavior is made
up of four inseparable
components: acting, thinking,
feeling, and physiology (Glasser,
1998, p. 335).
good in the real world (Glasser,
1990, p. 59-60).
Addressing Total Behaviors
Diagram of car and 4 wheels is
used; acting and thinking are
voluntary and are the front
wheels driving in the direction
of the needs; feeling and
physiology are rear wheels and
there is not the quick control
over those. People can choose
how to think and act to steer
them in a different direction
(Glasser, 1989, p. 10).
Reality therapy focuses more
on the actions and thoughts
than the feeling and physiology
(Glasser, 1989, p. 12).
Goals in Therapy
Teach clients that the only life
they can control is their own, so
do not spend time on what
others are doing (Glasser, 1989,
p. 13).
Answer basic RT question
Is what you are doing (or
choosing to do) getting you
what you want? (Glasser,
1989, p. 14-15).
Client to overcome the past
and live effectively in the
present without [the therapist]
(Glasser, 1989, p. 15).
Teach clients to make
effective choices by satisfying
their needs more effectively
(Peterson, 2005, p. 12).
and the need to feel that we
are worthwhile to ourselves
and to others (Glasser, 1965,
p. 9).
Connected to Others
A primary goal of
contemporary reality therapy
is to help clients get connected
or reconnected with the people
they have chosen to put in
their quality world (Corey,
2005, p. 321).
Need to build involvement
with one or more people who
have these characteristics
(Glasser, 1965, p. 7):
1) in touch with reality
2) able to fulfill his own
needs
3) responsible
4) desire a connection with
the client
quickly build a firm
Additionally the therapist value indirectness or more contradict Christian
should suspend judgment, subtle forms of beliefs in absolute truth
do the unexpected, use communication (Corey, 1996, and right and wrong.
humor, be and share him- p. 277).
or herself, listen for Everyone is responsible
metaphors and themes, use Emphasis on responsibility to for their own actions
summaries and focus, and others and society is in (Corey, 1996, p. 259; Rom
allow silences and allow accord with Native American 2:5-8; 1Cor 3:8; Ezek
or impose consequences, Indian and Asian and Asian- 18:20; Gal 6:7).
and be ethical American value systems
(Wubbolding, 1988, p. (Sommers-Flanaghan, 2004, In order to be respons-
15-21). p. 328). ible a person must have
rules or principles to obey
Counselors should not RT values individual and the opportunity to
accept excuses, should not responsibility, but may need choose to obey (Jones &
punish, criticize, or argue, to be adjusted for application Butnam, 1991, p. 247;
and should not give up in a culture where group Gen 2:15-17; Gal 6:7).
easily (Wubbolding, 1988, cohesion is valued over
p. 26). individual expression (ex. All actions are followed
Japan, China, etc.) (Corey, by consequences (Jones &
Reality therapists should 1996, p. 276). Butnam, 1991, p. 247; Jn
consult with one another, 5:28-6:16; Deut 24:16).
provide follow-up to The WDEP system of RT is
clients, and commit to adaptable and Glasser People are capable of
continuing education in emphasizes flexibility when changing their behavior
the field (Wubbolding, engaging with other cultures (Corey, 1996, p. 261;
1988, p. 27). (Nystul & Shaughnessey, Ezek 18:30; 33:15; Acts
1995, p. 442). 26:20).
The therapist must
Clients of ethnic minorities Involvement is important
emotional relationship may feel that Glassers theory in changing people (Jones
with a client (Glasser, does not place enough & Butnam, 1991, p. 247;
1965, p. 25). importance on outside Jn 15:12; Eph 5:32).
constraints such as
Three things the therapist discrimination, racism and RT emphasizes a personal
must do according to economic challenges (Corey, freedom limited by
Glasser (1965, p. 25) are 1996, p. 276). internal and external
as follows: constraints (Corey, 1996,
1. Become so involved p. 261). This agrees with
We choose everything we do,
including misery (Glasser, 1998, p.
3). We have control over acting
and thinking, and indirectly over
feelings and physiology (p. 336).
External control psychology
has three foundational beliefs: I
respond to a simple external signal;
I can make other people do what I
want even if they dont want to and
other people can control how I feel,
think, and behave; it is okay to
punish or reward others to get them
to do what I want (Glasser, 1998, p.
16).
External control psychology makes
everyone miserable, including the
controlled and the controller
(Glasser, 1998, p. 5).
Choice theory is an internal
control psychology; it explains
why and how we make the choices
that determine the course of our
lives (Glasser, 1998, p. 7).
The tangible motivation for all
our behaviors is to feel as good as
possible as often as possible
(Glasser, 1998, p. 28).
Teach client responsibility
which is the ability to fulfill
ones needs, and to do so in a
way that does not deprive
others of the ability to fulfill
their needs (Glasser, 1965, p.
13).
Identify the clients present
unsatisfying relationships
(Peterson, 2005, p. 12).
Identify which of the 5 basic
needs are not being met
(Peterson, 2005, p. 12).
WDEP System
Ask questions to identify:
Wants What does the client
want (i.e., quality world or
picture album)?
Doing What is the client
doing to get what he/she wants
(thinking, doing, feeling,
physiology)?
Evaluation Is what the client
doing realistically getting
him/her what is wanted?
Planning What is the plan for
making changes to achieve
what is wanted?
(Peterson, 2005, p. 12;
Wubbolding, 2000, p. 240).
Plans of Action should be:
Simple
Attainable
Measurable
Immediate
Consistent
(Wubbolding, 2000, p. 150).
with the patient that the Christian theology.
patient can begin to face
reality and see how his Both Chrisitanity and RT
behaviors are unrealistic. See people as choice-
2. Reject the behavior driven and purpose-driven
which is unrealistic but beings and not solely
still accept the patient and driven by biological needs
maintain his involvement (Jones & Butnam, 1991, p.
with him. 250).
3. Teach the patient Agree that people need a
better ways to fulfill his sense of belonging and a
needs within the confines sense of purpose or worth
of reality. (Jones & Butnam, 1991, p.
250).
The therapist must be a Encourage a person to
very responsible person- live as best they can in an
tough, interested, human, imperfect world
and sensitive (Glasser, (Wubbolding &
1965, p. 27). Brickwell, 2007, p. 29).
Both emphasize
According to Glasser responsibility, but where a
(1965), the therapist must Christian approach might
always be strong, not suggest patience in the
expedient (p. 27) and process of a client
must be able to become working through behavior
emotionally involved with change, Glasser would
each patient (p. 28). emphasize responsibility.
This could lead to
negative self talk and
other internal barriers for
the client (Jones &
Butman, 1991, p. 250).
There is no concept of
God built into RT (Jones
& Butman, 1991, p. 249).
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