REALITY THEARPYREALITY THEARPY

Presented ByPresented ByKimberley BynumKimberley BynumJames E. MonroeJames E. Monroe

Reality TherapyReality Therapy

Begun in the 1960’s, reality therapy Begun in the 1960’s, reality therapy emphasizes choices that people can emphasizes choices that people can make to change their lives. It make to change their lives. It focuses on two general concepts.focuses on two general concepts.

The environment necessary for The environment necessary for conducting counseling.conducting counseling.

The procedures leading to change.The procedures leading to change.

William GlasserWilliam Glasser

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1925Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1925 The third and youngest child in a The third and youngest child in a

close-knit family.close-knit family. He was a happy and uneventful.He was a happy and uneventful. In school he played in the band.In school he played in the band. Had a strong interest in sports.Had a strong interest in sports. At the age of 19 he graduated from At the age of 19 he graduated from

the Case Institute of Technology with the Case Institute of Technology with a degree in chemical engineering.a degree in chemical engineering.

He than began graduate work in clinical He than began graduate work in clinical psychology.psychology.

Earned master’s degree in 1948.Earned master’s degree in 1948. His doctoral dissertation was rejected.His doctoral dissertation was rejected. He entered medical school at Western He entered medical school at Western

Reserve University, graduating with a Reserve University, graduating with a medical degree in 1953.medical degree in 1953.

Completed his psychiatric residency at UCLA Completed his psychiatric residency at UCLA in 1957.in 1957.

He married Naomi Judith Silver.He married Naomi Judith Silver. Head psychiatrist at the Ventura School for Head psychiatrist at the Ventura School for

Girls a state operated facility for juvenile Girls a state operated facility for juvenile delinquents.delinquents.

At Ventura in the 1960s, Glasser began At Ventura in the 1960s, Glasser began

to formalize his approach to counseling.to formalize his approach to counseling. Glasser faculty supervisor G.L. Glasser faculty supervisor G.L.

Harrington helped him develop some of Harrington helped him develop some of the basic tenets of reality therapy.the basic tenets of reality therapy.

Glasser first book, Mental Health or Glasser first book, Mental Health or Mental Illness?.Mental Illness?.

Glasser developed reality therapy Glasser developed reality therapy because he thought “conventional because he thought “conventional psychiatry wastes too much time psychiatry wastes too much time arguing over how many diagnoses”.arguing over how many diagnoses”.

Glasser wanted an approach that was Glasser wanted an approach that was practical and more easily understood by practical and more easily understood by both clinicians and the public.both clinicians and the public.

Glasser found that by using the basic Glasser found that by using the basic principle of reality therapy, he was able to principle of reality therapy, he was able to cut recidivism at the Ventura School to cut recidivism at the Ventura School to only 20%.only 20%.

After the publication of Reality Therapy, After the publication of Reality Therapy, Glasser founded the Institute of Reality Glasser founded the Institute of Reality Therapy in Canoga Park, California.Therapy in Canoga Park, California.

In 1981, Glasser linked his original ideals In 1981, Glasser linked his original ideals with control theory, which argues that all with control theory, which argues that all behavior is generated from inside persons.behavior is generated from inside persons.

Glasser believed that the only thing Glasser believed that the only thing that people obtain from the outside that people obtain from the outside world is information.world is information.

Dr. Glasser has written seventeen Dr. Glasser has written seventeen books, all published by Harper books, all published by Harper Collins.Collins.

Choice Theory Community in Choice Theory Community in Corning, New York.Corning, New York.

View of Human NatureView of Human Nature

Human beings operate on a Human beings operate on a conscious level.conscious level.

Everyone has a health/growth force, Everyone has a health/growth force, manifested on two levels.manifested on two levels.

PhysicalPhysical PsychologicalPsychological

The four primary psychological needs:The four primary psychological needs: Belonging – the need for friends, family, and Belonging – the need for friends, family, and

lovelove Power – the need for self-esteem, recognition, Power – the need for self-esteem, recognition,

and competitionand competition Freedom – the need to make choices and Freedom – the need to make choices and

decisionsdecisions Fun – the need for play, laughter, learning, and Fun – the need for play, laughter, learning, and

recreationrecreation

Associated with meeting the Associated with meeting the psychological needs is the need for psychological needs is the need for identity.identity.

The development of a The development of a psychologically healthy sense of self.psychologically healthy sense of self.

Identity needs are met by being Identity needs are met by being accepted as a person by others.accepted as a person by others.

Experiencing love and worth is Experiencing love and worth is especially important.especially important.

Success identitySuccess identity Failure identity Failure identity

Two critical periods in children’s Two critical periods in children’s lives.lives.

Between ages 2 and 5Between ages 2 and 5 Between the ages 5 and 10Between the ages 5 and 10 Reality therapy propose that human Reality therapy propose that human

learning is a life-long process based learning is a life-long process based on choice.on choice.

Choice TheoryChoice Theory

A final tenet of reality therapy comes A final tenet of reality therapy comes form the tenets of control theory that form the tenets of control theory that Glasser wrote about in a new Glasser wrote about in a new psychology of personal freedom.psychology of personal freedom.

The idea is that people have mental The idea is that people have mental images of their needs and behave images of their needs and behave according; thus indivuduals are according; thus indivuduals are ultimately self-determining – they ultimately self-determining – they choose.choose.

Role of the CounselorRole of the Counselor

Serves primarily as a teacher and Serves primarily as a teacher and model.model.

Accepting the client in a warm, Accepting the client in a warm, involved way.involved way.

Creating an environment in which Creating an environment in which counseling can take place.counseling can take place.

Counselor seeks to build a relationship Counselor seeks to build a relationship with the client.with the client.

Counselor develops trust through Counselor develops trust through friendliness, firmness, and fairness.friendliness, firmness, and fairness.

Counselor use “-ing” verbs.Counselor use “-ing” verbs. There is an emphasis on choice.There is an emphasis on choice. Focuses on behaviors that the client would Focuses on behaviors that the client would

like to change and the ways to go about like to change and the ways to go about making these desires a reality.making these desires a reality.

Special attention is paid to metaphors and Special attention is paid to metaphors and themes clients verbalize.themes clients verbalize.

Little attempt in reality therapy to test, Little attempt in reality therapy to test, diagnose, interpret, or otherwise analyze diagnose, interpret, or otherwise analyze client actions.client actions.

Emphasize aspects of the client’s life that Emphasize aspects of the client’s life that he or she can control.he or she can control.

GoalsGoals

Help clients become psychologically Help clients become psychologically strong and rational and realize they strong and rational and realize they have choices in the ways they treat have choices in the ways they treat themselves and others.themselves and others.

Help clients clarify what they want in Help clients clarify what they want in life.life.

Six criteria by which to judge whether a Six criteria by which to judge whether a person is choosing a suitable and healthy person is choosing a suitable and healthy behavior:behavior: The behavior is noncompetitive.The behavior is noncompetitive. The behavior is easily completed The behavior is easily completed

without a great deal of mental effort.without a great deal of mental effort. The behavior is done or can be done by The behavior is done or can be done by

oneself.oneself. The behavior has value for the person.The behavior has value for the person. The client believes that improvements in The client believes that improvements in

lifestyle will result if he or she practices lifestyle will result if he or she practices the behavior.the behavior.

The person can practice the behavior The person can practice the behavior without being self-critical.without being self-critical.

Help the client formulate a realistic Help the client formulate a realistic plan to achieve personal needs and plan to achieve personal needs and wishes.wishes.

Have the counselor become involved Have the counselor become involved with the client in a meaningful with the client in a meaningful relationship.relationship.

Focus on behavior and the present.Focus on behavior and the present. Eliminate punishment and excuses Eliminate punishment and excuses

from the client’s life.from the client’s life.

TechniquesTechniques

Basically reality therapy uses action-oriented Basically reality therapy uses action-oriented techniques that help clients realize they techniques that help clients realize they have choices in how they control others.have choices in how they control others.

Effective techniquesEffective techniques TeachingTeaching Employing humorEmploying humor ConfrontingConfronting Role playingRole playing Offering feedbackOffering feedback Formulating specific plansFormulating specific plans Composing contractsComposing contracts

WDEP SystemWDEP System

The system is a way of helping The system is a way of helping counselors and clients make counselors and clients make progress.progress. W – wantsW – wants D – directionD – direction E – evaluationE – evaluation P – plan P – plan

Glasser stresses that the counselor Glasser stresses that the counselor should not give up on the client if he should not give up on the client if he or she fails to accomplish a goal.or she fails to accomplish a goal.

The counselor encourages the client The counselor encourages the client to make a new plan or revise an old to make a new plan or revise an old one.one.

Evaluation of Uniqueness and Evaluation of Uniqueness and LimitationsLimitations

Applied to many different populationsApplied to many different populations Approach is concreteApproach is concrete Approach emphasizes short-term txApproach emphasizes short-term tx Approach has national training centersApproach has national training centers Approach promotes responsibility and Approach promotes responsibility and

freedom within individuals without freedom within individuals without blame or criticism blame or criticism

Approach has successfully challenged Approach has successfully challenged the medical model of client treatment.the medical model of client treatment.

Approach addresses conflict resolutionApproach addresses conflict resolution Approach stresses the present because Approach stresses the present because

current behavior is most amenable to client current behavior is most amenable to client control.control.

Limitations:Limitations: Ignores other conceptsIgnores other concepts Mental illness are attempts to deal with Mental illness are attempts to deal with

external eventsexternal events Too simpleToo simple Susceptible to becoming overly moralistic.Susceptible to becoming overly moralistic. Depended on establishing a good Depended on establishing a good

counselor-client relationship.counselor-client relationship.

Depends on verbal interaction and Depends on verbal interaction and two-way communicationtwo-way communication

Keeps changing its focus.Keeps changing its focus.

As Good As It GetsAs Good As It Gets

Textbook illustration of what is known as Textbook illustration of what is known as the mental illness obsessive-compulsive the mental illness obsessive-compulsive disorder.disorder.

Glasser dose not believe that Melvin is Glasser dose not believe that Melvin is suffering from a mental illness or that he suffering from a mental illness or that he has no control over what he is doing.has no control over what he is doing.

Glasser believes he is choosing to obsess Glasser believes he is choosing to obsess and compulsive to deal with what is so and compulsive to deal with what is so obvious from the beginning of the film: He obvious from the beginning of the film: He has no satisfying close relationships.has no satisfying close relationships.

Glasser believes to have any chance to Glasser believes to have any chance to lead a rewarding life, he, like all of us, lead a rewarding life, he, like all of us, needs at least one satisfying relationshipneeds at least one satisfying relationship

Glasser believes when we fail in the effort Glasser believes when we fail in the effort to connect with other people, as Melvin to connect with other people, as Melvin surely has, we suffer because we need to surely has, we suffer because we need to do so is as much built into our genes as do so is as much built into our genes as the need to survive.the need to survive.

Glasser believes we suffer any pain, Glasser believes we suffer any pain, mental or physical, our brain does not let mental or physical, our brain does not let us sit idly by and do nothing; we must try us sit idly by and do nothing; we must try to do something to reduce the painto do something to reduce the pain

Mental illness is a description of the ways Mental illness is a description of the ways in which huge numbers of people, such as in which huge numbers of people, such as Melvin, choose to deal with the pain of Melvin, choose to deal with the pain of their loneliness or disconnection.their loneliness or disconnection.

Melvin is choosing an assortment of Melvin is choosing an assortment of obsessive and compulsive behaviors obsessive and compulsive behaviors that are his attempt often that are his attempt often unsuccessful to restrain the anger unsuccessful to restrain the anger that immediately chooses whenever that immediately chooses whenever he has to deal with people he finds he has to deal with people he finds frustrating.frustrating.

When the movie began, Melvin When the movie began, Melvin seems unaware of his anger and its seems unaware of his anger and its danger to both himself and others.danger to both himself and others.

Melvin symptoms are classic for the Melvin symptoms are classic for the compulsive person he chooses to be. compulsive person he chooses to be.

Melvin I so afraid of germs that he washes Melvin I so afraid of germs that he washes his hands, and he washes them many times his hands, and he washes them many times a day.a day.

He also has a compulsive routine he goes He also has a compulsive routine he goes through each time he locks and unlocks the through each time he locks and unlocks the four locks that secure the front door to his four locks that secure the front door to his apartment.apartment.

His huge effort he makes to avoid stepping His huge effort he makes to avoid stepping on cracks.on cracks.

He’s a nasty man who verbally abuses He’s a nasty man who verbally abuses anyone who frustrates him. anyone who frustrates him.

In a believable way the movie shows In a believable way the movie shows him trying to relate to Karen, a lonely him trying to relate to Karen, a lonely single mother.single mother.

Melvin brings his own plastic knife, Melvin brings his own plastic knife, fork, and spoon.fork, and spoon.

He insults anyone who is sitting at He insults anyone who is sitting at his table when he comes into the his table when he comes into the restaurant to eat.restaurant to eat.

In a short time Melvin and Karen fall In a short time Melvin and Karen fall in love. The movie ends happily with in love. The movie ends happily with Melvin and Karen in each other’s Melvin and Karen in each other’s arms.arms.

His choice of obsess and compulsive His choice of obsess and compulsive has diminished to the point where it is has diminished to the point where it is implied that he and she have a good implied that he and she have a good chance for a normal life together.chance for a normal life together.

What Melvin didn’t know and don’t What Melvin didn’t know and don’t want to know is that the behavior he want to know is that the behavior he complain about is chosen and, in most complain about is chosen and, in most instances, is harmful to any instances, is harmful to any relationships he may have.relationships he may have.

Glasser believes that he blame his Glasser believes that he blame his unhappiness on other people or on a unhappiness on other people or on a mental illness over which he have no mental illness over which he have no control, usually both.control, usually both.

Glasser believes that the only way he could Glasser believes that the only way he could help Melvin is to teach him to reconnect if help Melvin is to teach him to reconnect if he has someone he wants to be close with, he has someone he wants to be close with, or to connect if he has no one.or to connect if he has no one.

Glasser believes that Melvin should try to Glasser believes that Melvin should try to relate to the therapist.relate to the therapist.

Melvin than can use what he learns with Melvin than can use what he learns with the therapist to relate better to the other the therapist to relate better to the other people in his life.people in his life.

The more the therapist focus on the The more the therapist focus on the symptoms he is choosing the obsessing symptoms he is choosing the obsessing and compulsive the more he will cling to and compulsive the more he will cling to them and blame the therapist for not being them and blame the therapist for not being able to rid him of them.able to rid him of them.

The therapist can only guide him The therapist can only guide him toward learning that he has choices toward learning that he has choices and then using this knowledge to and then using this knowledge to choose to reconnect.choose to reconnect.

If Melvin does, the symptoms will If Melvin does, the symptoms will disappear.disappear.