Philosophy of Counseling: Reality Therapy
Dr. William Glasser developed Reality therapy in the 1960s; it is considered a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. (Corey, 2012). One of Glasser’s most famous quotes is “…it is what you choose to do in a relationship, not what others choose to do, that is the heart of reality therapy.” This resonates with me because I feel that in order for one to change it starts from within. I was intrigued when I first read about Glasser’s Reality therapy because before I ever enrolled into the counseling program I felt the same way Glasser does about the way people behave, but I did not realize there was a theory associated with my feelings. I believe that it is important for people to take responsibility for …show more content…
Reality therapy is an approach to psychotherapy and counseling. Reality therapy is about choice and the client’s ability to solve problems. Glasser emphasized the importance of clients taking personal responsibility for their behavior and avoiding putting blame on others or the past for the problems in their lives (Atkinson, 2002). Reality Therapy focuses on what the clients can directly change, which is the way they think and the behavior they choose in the present (Patricia Robey, 2011). I agree with the way reality therapy chooses to focus on the here and now and not so much on the past. I believe the client’s past should be acknowledged, but not the main focus of therapy sessions. Choice theory posits that we are not born blank slates, rather we are born with five genetically encoded needs that drive us all of our lives: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun (Corey, 2012). Even if a person does not realize it, we all strive to meet these needs. However, when our needs are not met it can lead to dysfunction and conflict in our lives. With reality therapy I like the way therapists make the client acknowledge that something must change and that change is possible. Clients are challenged to focus on exploring their unmet needs and see how their behavior and choices are stopping these needs from being met. I think that people can be so caught up in …show more content…
I believed that it is essential that client’s rights are respected and confidentiality be maintained at all times. As professional therapist we always have to remember to do no harm to the client. It is important that therapist uphold legal and ethical standards of the profession be being aware of the laws that that given the practice of counseling.
Strengths
One of the main strengths of reality therapy is that it can be used as a short term approach and applied to a wide range of clients. Reality therapy makes the client accountable and responsible for gaining more effective control of their lives. This straightforward and flexible therapy has viability with working with populations that society has given up on. Finally, this theory teaches the client to move forward in the present and focus on what they are willing to do to change their behavior.
Dr. William Glasser developed Reality therapy in the 1960s; it is considered a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. (Corey, 2012). One of Glasser’s most famous quotes is “…it is what you choose to do in a relationship, not what others choose to do, that is the heart of reality therapy.” This resonates with me because I feel that in order for one to change it starts from within. I was intrigued when I first read about Glasser’s Reality therapy because before I ever enrolled into the counseling program I felt the same way Glasser does about the way people behave, but I did not realize there was a theory associated with my feelings. I believe that it is important for people to take responsibility for …show more content…
Reality therapy is an approach to psychotherapy and counseling. Reality therapy is about choice and the client’s ability to solve problems. Glasser emphasized the importance of clients taking personal responsibility for their behavior and avoiding putting blame on others or the past for the problems in their lives (Atkinson, 2002). Reality Therapy focuses on what the clients can directly change, which is the way they think and the behavior they choose in the present (Patricia Robey, 2011). I agree with the way reality therapy chooses to focus on the here and now and not so much on the past. I believe the client’s past should be acknowledged, but not the main focus of therapy sessions. Choice theory posits that we are not born blank slates, rather we are born with five genetically encoded needs that drive us all of our lives: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun (Corey, 2012). Even if a person does not realize it, we all strive to meet these needs. However, when our needs are not met it can lead to dysfunction and conflict in our lives. With reality therapy I like the way therapists make the client acknowledge that something must change and that change is possible. Clients are challenged to focus on exploring their unmet needs and see how their behavior and choices are stopping these needs from being met. I think that people can be so caught up in …show more content…
I believed that it is essential that client’s rights are respected and confidentiality be maintained at all times. As professional therapist we always have to remember to do no harm to the client. It is important that therapist uphold legal and ethical standards of the profession be being aware of the laws that that given the practice of counseling.
Strengths
One of the main strengths of reality therapy is that it can be used as a short term approach and applied to a wide range of clients. Reality therapy makes the client accountable and responsible for gaining more effective control of their lives. This straightforward and flexible therapy has viability with working with populations that society has given up on. Finally, this theory teaches the client to move forward in the present and focus on what they are willing to do to change their behavior.