Reality Therapy

     Reality therapy was introduced by William Glasser. The basic idea of the underlying problems that clients are experiencing is an involvement in a present unsatisfying relationship or one that lacks what could be called a relationship. Therefore, if therapy is to be successful, the therapist must guide the client to a satisfying relationship and teach the client to behave in more effective ways. Clients are made to realize that their problems are the way that they choose to behave. The client will hopefully learn from the therapist how to get close to people that they will need. There is basic formula that they believe is the reason why people choose to suffer in their lives. In a frustrating relationship it is normal to choose anger as a way to interact, and from anger it is easy to lash out and hurt someone. Depression and other symptoms immobilise and restrain anger that people feel. Depression is the most common technique people use to ask for help. When we are suffering others reach out to us.

     Depression and all other forms of mental illness allow us to avoid doing what we are afraid to do for fear of the possible negative outcomes. The reality therapist will tell the client that complaining, blaming and criticizing are self-defeating behaviours and are the most ineffective behaviours, so they are not listened to in therapy. The basic beliefs of reality therapy are an emphasis on responsibility of the client in their own lives, a focus on the present, an avoidance of focusing on symptoms, and acting responsibly to meet our needs without keeping others from meeting their needs.

     The therapists role in the therapy is to assists the client in dealing with the present, to establish a satisfying therapist/client relationships and to be a role model of a human who knows what life is all about and is successful in dealing with life and not afraid to discuss any subject with their clients. In order to help the client change the therapist helps the client identify the major unsatisfying relationship in their life. They help them to realize that it is their behaviour that they can control in the relationship - not the others and one must accept that they can only change themselves. They help the client to realize how they can make better choices and use a Choice Theory model - where the client must identify their basic needs, discover what they feel would be a quality way to live and help the client to choose appropriate behaviours.

Related Links

Counseling Psychology
Adlerian Therapy
Existential Therapy
Person Centre Therapy
Gestalt Therapy
Behavioural Therapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Feminist Therapy
Family Systems Therapy
Clinical Psychology