Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy TENTH EDITION Gerald Corey Cengage Learning

Choice Theory/Reality Therapy Chapter 11 Choice Theory/Reality Therapy

Basic Assumptions (slide 1 of 2) Symptoms are the result of choices we’ve made We can choose to think, feel and behave differently Reality therapy is based on Choice Theory Emphasis is on personal responsibility Therapist’s function is to keep therapy focused on the present and not on symptoms Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (1)

Basic Assumptions (slide 2 of 2) We often mistakenly choose misery in our best attempt to meet our needs We act responsibly when we meet our needs without keeping others from meeting their needs The notion of transference is rejected by reality therapists Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (2)

Basic Human Needs All internally motivated behavior is geared toward meeting one or more of our basic genetically encoded needs: Love and belonging Power Freedom Fun Survival (physiological needs) Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (3)

Our Quality World Our quality world consists of our visions of specific people, activities, events, beliefs, and situations that will fulfill our needs Our quality world is like a picture album of specific wants as well as precise ways to satisfy these wants Getting into the clients’ quality world is the art of therapy Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (4)

Total Behavior Doing – active behaviors Thinking – thoughts, self-statements Feelings – anger, joy, pain, anxiety Physiology – bodily reactions Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (5)

Cycle of Counseling Two major components: Creating the counseling environment Supportive, challenging, and noncoercive Implementing specific procedures that lead to changes in behavior WDEP Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (6)

The “WDEP” System Procedures That Lead to Change: W Wants - What do you want to be and do? D Doing and Direction - What are you doing? Where do you want to go? E Evaluation - Does your present behavior have a reasonable chance of getting you what you want? P Planning – “SAMIC3” Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (7)

Planning For Change S Simple A Attainable M Measurable I Immediate and involved C Controlled by the planner, committed to, and consistently done Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (8)

Application to Group Counseling (slide 1 of 2) Group leaders and members jointly determine goals and plans of action Members explore new courses of behavior that will bring them closer to getting what they want out of life Leaders challenge members to evaluate for themselves if what they are currently doing is working for them Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (9)

Application to Group Counseling (slide 2 of 2) Feedback from leaders and members can help individuals design realistic and attainable plans Group setting encourages members to take an active stance in attaining change in their lives Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (10)

Strengths from a Diversity Perspective (slide 1 of 2) Therapists demonstrate their respect for their clients’ cultural values by helping them explore how satisfying their current behavior is to themselves and others It is a sign of respect that the reality therapist refrains from deciding what behaviors should be changed With a focus on thinking and acting rather than on feelings, many clients are less likely to display resistance Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (11)

Strengths from a Diversity Perspective (slide 2 of 2) The principles underlying choice theory are universal, which makes choice theory applicable to all people Reality therapy is an open system that allows for flexibility in application based on the needs of culturally diverse individuals Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (12)

Limitations from a Diversity Perspective Reality therapy gives only limited attention to helping people address environmental and social problems Some reality therapists may not pay enough attention to systemic and environmental factors that can limit the potential for choice Some clients are very reluctant to directly verbally express what they need Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (13)

Contributions of Reality Therapy (slide 1 of 2) RT has a relatively short-term focus and deals with conscious behavioral problems The existential underpinnings of choice theory are a major strength of this approach, which accentuates taking responsibility for what we are doing Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (14)

Contributions of Reality Therapy (slide 2 of 2) With the emphasis on responsibility and choice, individuals can acquire a sense of self-direction and empowerment RT can be effectively used with individuals who manifest reluctance and who are highly resistant RT has been effectively used in addiction treatment and recovery programs for over 30 years Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (15)

Limitations of Reality Therapy (slide 1 of 2) Some feel RT does not adequately address important psychological concepts such as insight, the unconscious, dreams and transference Clinicians may have trouble viewing all psychological disorders (including serious mental illness) as behavioral choices More empirical support of RT is needed Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (16)

Limitations of Reality Therapy (slide 2 of 2) Some therapists may impose personal views on clients by deciding for them what constitutes responsible behavior RT is often construed as simple and easy to master when in fact it requires much training to implement properly Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Chapter 11 (17)