Reality/Choice Psychotherapy
SERP 546
1 December 2012
Overview
Reality Therapy is the method of counselling William Glasser has been teaching since 1965 and is firmly based on choice theory, which states: all we do is behave; almost all behavior is chosen; and we are driven by our genes to satisfy five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun (wglasser.com). Responsibility, a concept basic to Reality Therapy, is defined as the ability to fulfill one’s needs, and to do so in a way not depriving others of the ability to fulfill their needs (Glasser, 1965). A correlation between maladaptive behavior and unsatisfied needs exists as William Glasser (1965) stated, “Once the child begins to fulfill his (or her) needs, his behavior improves greatly, he learns much more easily, and he becomes generally a more responsible person” (p. 156, parenthesis mine).
Choice Theory was developed by Dr. William Glasser, who described human behavior as a result of internal motivation (wglasser.com). Glasser’s ideas focus on personal choice, personal responsibility, and personal transformation (wglasser.com). Dr. Glasser conceptualized behavior as chosen and based on an attempt to meet one or more of the five basic needs, which are woven into our genes (Jones, 2012). Rather than seeing people as a result of their past or internally affected by rewards and punishments, Glasser's Choice Theory suggests people have an ability to make choices and control their behavior (wglasser.com). Choice Theory states we are always motivated by what we want at any given moment and asserts the importance of building positive relationships with others to create a shared “quality world picture” (wglasser.com). When this happens people then become motivated to pursue common goals and are likely to work collaboratively (wglasser.com).
Techniques
Each person has the ability to change their life for the better based on the choices they make (wglasser.com). A person...