Reality Therapy

 

 William Glasser

(b.1925)

Robert E. Wubbolding, EdD

(b.1936)

 

Goals:

• To help people become more effective in meeting all of their psychological needs.

• To enable clients to get reconnected with the people they have chosen to put into their quality worlds & teach clients choice theory. 

  
  

  
  

   
  
  

  Key Concepts:

  • The basic focus is on what clients are doing & how to get them to evaluate whether their present actions are working for them.

  • People are mainly motivated to satisfy their needs, especially the need for significant relationships.

  • The approach rejects the medical model, the notion of transference, the unconscious, & dwelling on one's past.

    
    

    
    

    

  • 
    

    
    

    Theories

    • Based on choice therapy, this approach assumes that we need quality relationships to be happy.

    • Psychological problems are the result of our resisting the control by others or of our attempt to control others.

    • Choice theory is an explanation of human nature & how to best achieve satisfying interpersonal relationships.  

      
      

      
      

      
      
      

      
      

      
      

      Other Techniques:

      • Create an active, directive, & didactic therapy.

      • Skillful questioning is used for the duration of the therapy process.

      • Enable client to design their own plan of action for change if a specific technique is not working.

      • Emphasize choice & responsibility.

      • Reject transference.

      • Keep the therapy in the present.

      • Avoid focusing on symptoms.

      • Challenge traditional views of mental illness.

        
        

         Dr. Glasser

        
        

        Resources:

         

         

        •  Corey, G. (2013)..Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th ed.,). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

        • Google Images

        • YouTube