Reality Therapy
Introduction
William Glasser, who “published his first book, Mental Health or Mental Illness?” was the foundation of “Reality Therapy” in 1961.” (Corey, 1977/1991) “Dr. Glasser began his work in an adolescent girl’s juvenile facility.” (Mary Lahey, 2013 PowerPoint Presentation) This was in total opposition to a popular theory of the times by Sigmund Freud.
Freud’s Psychoanalysis theory states;
That each individual is unique, that there are factors outside of a person's awareness (unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences) which influence his or her thoughts and actions, that the past shapes the present that human beings are always engaged in the process of development throughout their lives. (American Psychoanalytic Association, 2013)
Unlike Freud, Glasser believed that that each individual is responsible to choose what one does with his or her life. (Corey, 1977/1991)
This paper will first argue that according to Glasser’s “Reality Theory”, individuals choose their own behavior. By raising each individual in a safe secure environment, they will develop the psychological ability to make better decisions throughout his or her life. (Corey, 1977/1991) Next, it will discuss key concepts involved in Reality Therapy. Then it will explain various techniques used in this form of therapy. It will then analyze the target population. Finally, it will develop a scenario, using reality therapy, as a basis to present a hypothetical patient, as a counselor discussing the strategies that would be used to counsel this client.
Thesis Statement
Does one’s past define his or her future? Certainly not! "Regardless of what has happened in our lives, or what we have done in the past, we can choose behaviors th...
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Corey, C. (1991). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (4th ed.). Pacific Grove, California, USA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. (Original work published 1977)
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McLeod, s. (n.d.). In SimplePsychology.com (Ed.), Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved from Simple Psychology.com Web site: http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Professor ?. (2013). In Indian River State College (Ed.), Reality Therapy [Power Point Presentation/ slides]. Retrieved from IRSC.EDU Web site: WWW.Irsc.edu/angel
WGI.com US Teaching the World Choice Therapy. (Ed.). (2010). Reality Therapy. Retrieved from WGI.com Web site: http://www.wglasser.com/the-glasser-approach/reality-therapy
While CBT has many advantages, it alone does not encompass all of the concepts I believe are necessary to tackle a client’s needs. Therefore, I draw upon concepts from various theories to assist clients in achieving their goals. Pulling from Reality therapy, a key concept I utilize is focusing on what the client is doing and how to get them to evaluate whether they’re present actions are working for them. CBT does use some form of this in the sense that one must examine and establish their cognitive misconceptions; however, I prefer to extract this concept from Reality therapy because CBT tends to do so by focusing on the past. I am a firm believer that while the past can shape who you are, it does little good to remain focused on it. Focusing on overt behavior, precision in specifying the goals of treatment, development of specific treatment plans, and objective evaluation of therapy outcomes all come from Behavior therapy (Corey, 2013, p. 474). Behavior therapy is highly structured much like that of CBT. By utilizing this aspect of Behavior therapy, I am better able to closely observe where a client is currently and where they are headed. Lastly, I pull from Person-Centered therapy as the final key concept of my counseling approach. PCT focuses on the fact that client’s have the potential to become aware of their problems and resolve them (Corey, 2013). This Person-Centered therapy concept has overlap with CBT as
In sand tray therapy, clients use miniature figurines symbolizing people and things ranging from good to evil (Monakes, 2005). As the story progresses, clients are able to create a life journey and therefore, gain insight into the self (Monakes, 2005). According to the offenders in Monakes (2005) study, sand tray therapy was more effective and positive than the work they were doing at their treatment center. They felt it was it was a valuable tool regarding personal insight and allowed them to reflect on past and current experiences in an effort to improve self-efficacy. According to Adler, the therapist’s initial approach to a client is identifying the underlying cause of feelings of being inferior (Overholser, 2010). Sand tray therapy allows just that by allowing symbolic interpretations of what the client needs to express in order to further his or her recovery. Adler insists that clients not feel pressured to disclose personal information (Overholser, 2010). The importance of the client-therapist relationship is allowing the client to strengthen his or her courage (Overholser, 2010). Attempting to view an i...
What is unique about constructivism is its ability to examine problems from the client’s point of view is that it allows individuals to create their own reality during counseling appointment. According to Pamelia Brott (2004), therapists act more as facilitators of change than therapeutic leaders, the client is viewed as the agent of change (191). The constructivist perspective reality comes into being through the interpretations of what the world means to the client individually (p.192). As Sharf (2015) explains, “…in the act of knowing, it is the human mind that actively gives meaning and order to that reality to which it is responding…" (p.455). Because of this the constructivist perspective does not provide a single theoretical structure as each counseling session is unique in providing client’s a solution that is applicable to
According to Glasser (1965), “reality therapy is a treatment based on changing negative behavior, habits and relationships by focusing on the present or current situations.” An essential aspect of Reality Therapy focuses on the five needs of survival, love and belonging, achievement and power, independence and freedom, and fun, being essential for individuals to ascend through life and establish relationships (Content Guide 5, n.d.). The various techniques utilized during Reality Therapy include: exploring behavior as a focus of change, focusing on the present situation, the adolescent assumes responsibility, a friendly relationship exists between the therapist and patient, the therapist is patient with the individual, the individual considers their ability to change, and lastly the therapist takes into consideration specific factors that are in control of the individual (Content Guide 5, n.d.). In the video, we see the Dr. McFarland create a both friendly and comfortable environment where Adrianne is able to express her opinions and thoughts of her present situation with her parents. Dr. McFarland is also patient with Adrianne, and this is one of the strengths of Reality Therapy, since the way the questions are presented to Adrianne, for example “what are the things your parents need to see from you”, this allows Adrianne to take responsibility and focus on the present situation. One limitation/weakness
The debate of nature vs. nurture still continues today in the world of psychology. The effects of an individual’s genetics and the effects of their environment on their personality and actions is an age old debate that is still inconclusive. However, it is evident that both sides of the argument carry some form of the truth. It can be contended that the major characteristics of an individual are formed by their environment, more specifically, their past experiences. An individual’s past moulds and shapes their identity, if they do not make an effort to move on from it. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows that clinging on to the past prevents individuals from fully experiencing the present, eventually leading to resentment, dissatisfaction, and misjudgements.
In regards to the questions and answers, I feel as though my personal approach to counseling is based off of my own priorities I set forth in myself that follow more closely to the aspects of Reality Therapy, and Adlerian Therapy. Though Reality Therapy primarily focuses on the present, it still has some grounding in the past but not as much as Adlerian does. Even knowing this I still feel these two therapies are more closely related to my own belief system. I am in agreement with Reality Therapy, in that we are responsible for the choices we make. I trust that we can exercise great control over our lives, over how we can change to better ourselves, and to better our relationships with those around us. I feel that we all as a society are influenced by basic needs: belonging, survival, freedom, and power, and that these needs can be used as motivational tool when working with clients.
Willliam Glasser was born in May 1925. Glasser had managed to gain a decent education in Cleveland at Case Western Reserve University, there he had studied clinical psychology. At first he was studying to become a Chemical Engineer which he did succeed into, however, went into psychiatry later on. After being certified by the board Gasser was in private practice from 1957 to 1986. “What happened in the past that was painful has a great deal to do with what we are today, but revisiting this painful past can contribute little or nothing to what we need to do now.” (Glasser). Glasser had inspired many people with the words written in his books. This great person, had become well known after he published these two books called, Reality Therapy and Choice Theory. “Glas...
In conclusion, Anderson et al. (2010) discussed the relationship between therapeutic models and the techniques utilized by them. However, the contextual model that they posit in this article is built upon a postmodern philosophy and has numerous flaws. As a result, I reject many of their arguments, at least as they are presented. Despite this, there was some information (albeit modified) from this article that I can incorporate into my own practice as a therapist.
Questioning helps the counselor learn of the client’s needs and behaviors. Bibliotherapy involves reading books, in reality therapy these books are usually Glasser’s books and range from understandings in relationships and working with children. When the counselor reframes, it allows the client to witness a different perspective on their personal situations. Self-disclosure helps aid the warm and personal relationship between the counselor and client. Sharing metaphors with the client can help the counselor in understanding and conveying perceptions. Lastly, physical activity and meditation are used as a positive addiction which leads to pleasure and the combination of mind and body (Murdock,
Psychologist Abraham Maslow created the hierarchy of needs, outlining and suggesting what a person need to reach self-actualization and reveal the true potential of themselves. In the model, Maslow propose that a person has to meet basic needs in order to reach the true potential of themselves. Biological/physiological needs, safety needs, love/belonging need, esteem needs according to Maslow is the fundamental frame for reaching the peak of self. The last need to be met on the scale
The second stage in the psychodynamic therapy process is, the transference stage. In this stage the development of treatment is set and now it is the patient’s time to let their feelings out. The patient expresses those feelings, emotions, fears, and desires to the therapist without having to worry about censorship. The feelings and behavior of the patient become more pronounced and become a vital part of the treatment itself. During this stage the therapist could experience and better understand of the patient’s past and how it impacted their behavior in the
The second part of this research paper will be in first person and describe how narrative therapy coincides with the author’s personal faith. The principles and techniques of narrative therapy will be discussed in light of a Christian worldview. In closing the author will discuss how her personal views interact with narrative therapy.
Messer, S., & Warren, C. (1995). Models of brief psychodynamic therapy (1st ed.). New York: Guilford Press.
The therapist must be aware of individual values and beliefs in order to develop an understanding of why the client responds to certain life-stressors. For e...
The basis of the therapy is that people are motivated by having a goal or meaning in life. It follows the principles that life always has a meaning, motivation comes from finding the meaning, and a person has freedom in how he or she acts in a situation. Victor Frankl, the creator of the therapy claimed that meaning can be discovered by completing work, experiencing people or situations fully, and the attitude towards a person’s suffering. Therapists follow certain assumptions that cannot be proven about mankind. These assumptions include that individuals are all unique, meaningful decisions respond to life’s demand, people have the freedom to find their own meaning, all people have a meaning, life has a meaning in all circumstances, and the human body is made up of the body; mind; and spirit. The three main techniques used by therapists are dereflection, paradoxical intention, and socratic dialogue. Dereflection is when the person’s thoughts are deflected from how the situation impacts the person and instead look at how it does, or would have, impacted someone else. The act of thinking about someone else can make the suffering seem minor. Paradoxical intention is when a person increases the thing that they most fear. In turn, this may decrease the unwanted