REALITY THEARPY Presented By Kimberley Bynum James E. Monroe

Reality Therapy Begun in the 1960’s, reality therapy emphasizes choices that people can make to change their lives. It focuses on two general concepts. Begun in the 1960’s, reality therapy emphasizes choices that people can make to change their lives. It focuses on two general concepts. The environment necessary for conducting counseling. The environment necessary for conducting counseling. The procedures leading to change. The procedures leading to change.

William Glasser Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1925 Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1925 The third and youngest child in a close- knit family. The third and youngest child in a 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 the Case Institute of Technology with a degree in chemical engineering. At the age of 19 he graduated from the Case Institute of Technology with a degree in chemical engineering.

He than began graduate work in clinical psychology. He than began graduate work in clinical psychology. Earned master’s degree in Earned master’s degree in His doctoral dissertation was rejected. His doctoral dissertation was rejected. He entered medical school at Western Reserve University, graduating with a medical degree in He entered medical school at Western Reserve University, graduating with a medical degree in Completed his psychiatric residency at UCLA in Completed his psychiatric residency at UCLA in He married Naomi Judith Silver. He married Naomi Judith Silver. Head psychiatrist at the Ventura School for Girls a state operated facility for juvenile delinquents. Head psychiatrist at the Ventura School for Girls a state operated facility for juvenile delinquents.

At Ventura in the 1960s, Glasser began to formalize his approach to counseling. At Ventura in the 1960s, Glasser began to formalize his approach to counseling. Glasser faculty supervisor G.L. Harrington helped him develop some of the basic tenets of reality therapy. Glasser faculty supervisor G.L. Harrington helped him develop some of the basic tenets of reality therapy. Glasser first book, Mental Health or Mental Illness?. Glasser first book, Mental Health or Mental Illness?. Glasser developed reality therapy because he thought “conventional psychiatry wastes too much time arguing over how many diagnoses”. Glasser developed reality therapy because he thought “conventional psychiatry wastes too much time arguing over how many diagnoses”.

Glasser wanted an approach that was practical and more easily understood by both clinicians and the public. Glasser wanted an approach that was practical and more easily understood by both clinicians and the public. Glasser found that by using the basic principle of reality therapy, he was able to cut recidivism at the Ventura School to only 20%. Glasser found that by using the basic principle of reality therapy, he was able to cut recidivism at the Ventura School to only 20%. After the publication of Reality Therapy, Glasser founded the Institute of Reality Therapy in Canoga Park, California. After the publication of Reality Therapy, Glasser founded the Institute of Reality Therapy in Canoga Park, California. In 1981, Glasser linked his original ideals with control theory, which argues that all behavior is generated from inside persons. In 1981, Glasser linked his original ideals with control theory, which argues that all behavior is generated from inside persons.

Glasser believed that the only thing that people obtain from the outside world is information. Glasser believed that the only thing that people obtain from the outside world is information. Dr. Glasser has written seventeen books, all published by Harper Collins. Dr. Glasser has written seventeen books, all published by Harper Collins. Choice Theory Community in Corning, New York. Choice Theory Community in Corning, New York.

View of Human Nature Human beings operate on a conscious level. Human beings operate on a conscious level. Everyone has a health/growth force, manifested on two levels. Everyone has a health/growth force, manifested on two levels. Physical Physical Psychological Psychological

The four primary psychological needs: The four primary psychological needs: Belonging – the need for friends, family, and love Belonging – the need for friends, family, and love Power – the need for self-esteem, recognition, and competition Power – the need for self-esteem, recognition, and competition Freedom – the need to make choices and decisions Freedom – the need to make choices and decisions Fun – the need for play, laughter, learning, and recreation Fun – the need for play, laughter, learning, and recreation

Associated with meeting the psychological needs is the need for identity. Associated with meeting the psychological needs is the need for identity. The development of a psychologically healthy sense of self. The development of a psychologically healthy sense of self. Identity needs are met by being accepted as a person by others. Identity needs are met by being accepted as a person by others. Experiencing love and worth is especially important. Experiencing love and worth is especially important. Success identity Success identity Failure identity Failure identity

Two critical periods in children’s lives. Two critical periods in children’s lives. Between ages 2 and 5 Between ages 2 and 5 Between the ages 5 and 10 Between the ages 5 and 10 Reality therapy propose that human learning is a life-long process based on choice. Reality therapy propose that human learning is a life-long process based on choice.

Choice Theory A final tenet of reality therapy comes form the tenets of control theory that Glasser wrote about in a new psychology of personal freedom. A final tenet of reality therapy comes form the tenets of control theory that Glasser wrote about in a new psychology of personal freedom. The idea is that people have mental images of their needs and behave according; thus indivuduals are ultimately self-determining – they choose. The idea is that people have mental images of their needs and behave according; thus indivuduals are ultimately self-determining – they choose.

Role of the Counselor Serves primarily as a teacher and model. Serves primarily as a teacher and model. Accepting the client in a warm, involved way. Accepting the client in a warm, involved way. Creating an environment in which counseling can take place. Creating an environment in which counseling can take place. Counselor seeks to build a relationship with the client. Counselor seeks to build a relationship with the client. Counselor develops trust through friendliness, firmness, and fairness. Counselor develops trust through 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 like to change and the ways to go about making these desires a reality. Focuses on behaviors that the client would like to change and the ways to go about making these desires a reality. Special attention is paid to metaphors and themes clients verbalize. Special attention is paid to metaphors and themes clients verbalize. Little attempt in reality therapy to test, diagnose, interpret, or otherwise analyze client actions. Little attempt in reality therapy to test, diagnose, interpret, or otherwise analyze client actions. Emphasize aspects of the client’s life that he or she can control. Emphasize aspects of the client’s life that he or she can control.

Goals Help clients become psychologically strong and rational and realize they have choices in the ways they treat themselves and others. Help clients become psychologically strong and rational and realize they have choices in the ways they treat themselves and others. Help clients clarify what they want in life. Help clients clarify what they want in life.

Six criteria by which to judge whether a person is choosing a suitable and healthy behavior: Six criteria by which to judge whether a person is choosing a suitable and healthy behavior: The behavior is noncompetitive. The behavior is noncompetitive. The behavior is easily completed without a great deal of mental effort. The behavior is easily completed without a great deal of mental effort. The behavior is done or can be done by oneself. The behavior is done or can be done by oneself. The behavior has value for the person. The behavior has value for the person. The client believes that improvements in lifestyle will result if he or she practices the behavior. The client believes that improvements in lifestyle will result if he or she practices the behavior. The person can practice the behavior without being self-critical. The person can practice the behavior without being self-critical.

Help the client formulate a realistic plan to achieve personal needs and wishes. Help the client formulate a realistic plan to achieve personal needs and wishes. Have the counselor become involved with the client in a meaningful relationship. Have the counselor become involved with the client in a meaningful relationship. Focus on behavior and the present. Focus on behavior and the present. Eliminate punishment and excuses from the client’s life. Eliminate punishment and excuses from the client’s life.

Techniques Basically reality therapy uses action-oriented techniques that help clients realize they have choices in how they control others. Basically reality therapy uses action-oriented techniques that help clients realize they have choices in how they control others. Effective techniques Effective techniques Teaching Teaching Employing humor Employing humor Confronting Confronting Role playing Role playing Offering feedback Offering feedback Formulating specific plans Formulating specific plans Composing contracts Composing contracts

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

Glasser stresses that the counselor should not give up on the client if he or she fails to accomplish a goal. Glasser stresses that the counselor should not give up on the client if he or she fails to accomplish a goal. The counselor encourages the client to make a new plan or revise an old one. The counselor encourages the client to make a new plan or revise an old one.

Evaluation of Uniqueness and Limitations Applied to many different populations Applied to many different populations Approach is concrete Approach is concrete Approach emphasizes short-term tx Approach emphasizes short-term tx Approach has national training centers Approach has national training centers Approach promotes responsibility and freedom within individuals without blame or criticism Approach promotes responsibility and freedom within individuals without blame or criticism Approach has successfully challenged the medical model of client treatment. Approach has successfully challenged the medical model of client treatment.

Approach addresses conflict resolution Approach addresses conflict resolution Approach stresses the present because current behavior is most amenable to client control. Approach stresses the present because current behavior is most amenable to client control. Limitations: Limitations: Ignores other concepts Ignores other concepts Mental illness are attempts to deal with external events Mental illness are attempts to deal with external events Too simple Too simple Susceptible to becoming overly moralistic. Susceptible to becoming overly moralistic. Depended on establishing a good counselor- client relationship. Depended on establishing a good counselor- client relationship.

Depends on verbal interaction and two- way communication Depends on verbal interaction and two- way communication Keeps changing its focus. Keeps changing its focus.

As Good As It Gets

Textbook illustration of what is known as the mental illness obsessive-compulsive disorder. Textbook illustration of what is known as the mental illness obsessive-compulsive disorder. Glasser dose not believe that Melvin is suffering from a mental illness or that he has no control over what he is doing. Glasser dose not believe that Melvin is suffering from a mental illness or that he has no control over what he is doing. Glasser believes he is choosing to obsess and compulsive to deal with what is so obvious from the beginning of the film: He has no satisfying close relationships. Glasser believes he is choosing to obsess and compulsive to deal with what is so obvious from the beginning of the film: He has no satisfying close relationships. Glasser believes to have any chance to lead a rewarding life, he, like all of us, needs at least one satisfying relationship Glasser believes to have any chance to lead a rewarding life, he, like all of us, needs at least one satisfying relationship

Glasser believes when we fail in the effort to connect with other people, as Melvin surely has, we suffer because we need to do so is as much built into our genes as the need to survive. Glasser believes when we fail in the effort to connect with other people, as Melvin surely has, we suffer because we need to do so is as much built into our genes as the need to survive. Glasser believes we suffer any pain, mental or physical, our brain does not let us sit idly by and do nothing; we must try to do something to reduce the pain Glasser believes we suffer any pain, mental or physical, our brain does not let us sit idly by and do nothing; we must try to do something to reduce the pain Mental illness is a description of the ways in which huge numbers of people, such as Melvin, choose to deal with the pain of their loneliness or disconnection. Mental illness is a description of the ways in which huge numbers of people, such as Melvin, choose to deal with the pain of their loneliness or disconnection.

Melvin is choosing an assortment of obsessive and compulsive behaviors that are his attempt often unsuccessful to restrain the anger that immediately chooses whenever he has to deal with people he finds frustrating. Melvin is choosing an assortment of obsessive and compulsive behaviors that are his attempt often unsuccessful to restrain the anger that immediately chooses whenever he has to deal with people he finds frustrating. When the movie began, Melvin seems unaware of his anger and its danger to both himself and others. When the movie began, Melvin seems unaware of his anger and its danger to both himself and others.

Melvin symptoms are classic for the compulsive person he chooses to be. Melvin symptoms are classic for the compulsive person he chooses to be. Melvin I so afraid of germs that he washes his hands, and he washes them many times a day. Melvin I so afraid of germs that he washes his hands, and he washes them many times a day. He also has a compulsive routine he goes through each time he locks and unlocks the four locks that secure the front door to his apartment. He also has a compulsive routine he goes through each time he locks and unlocks the four locks that secure the front door to his apartment. His huge effort he makes to avoid stepping on cracks. His huge effort he makes to avoid stepping on cracks. He’s a nasty man who verbally abuses anyone who frustrates him. He’s a nasty man who verbally abuses anyone who frustrates him.

In a believable way the movie shows him trying to relate to Karen, a lonely single mother. In a believable way the movie shows him trying to relate to Karen, a lonely single mother. Melvin brings his own plastic knife, fork, and spoon. Melvin brings his own plastic knife, fork, and spoon. He insults anyone who is sitting at his table when he comes into the restaurant to eat. He insults anyone who is sitting at his table when he comes into the restaurant to eat. In a short time Melvin and Karen fall in love. The movie ends happily with Melvin and Karen in each other’s arms. In a short time Melvin and Karen fall in love. The movie ends happily with Melvin and Karen in each other’s arms.

His choice of obsess and compulsive has diminished to the point where it is implied that he and she have a good chance for a normal life together. His choice of obsess and compulsive has diminished to the point where it is implied that he and she have a good chance for a normal life together. What Melvin didn’t know and don’t want to know is that the behavior he complain about is chosen and, in most instances, is harmful to any relationships he may have. What Melvin didn’t know and don’t want to know is that the behavior he complain about is chosen and, in most instances, is harmful to any relationships he may have. Glasser believes that he blame his unhappiness on other people or on a mental illness over which he have no control, usually both. Glasser believes that he blame his unhappiness on other people or on a mental illness over which he have no control, usually both.

Glasser believes that the only way he could help Melvin is to teach him to reconnect if he has someone he wants to be close with, or to connect if he has no one. Glasser believes that the only way he could help Melvin is to teach him to reconnect if he has someone he wants to be close with, or to connect if he has no one. Glasser believes that Melvin should try to relate to the therapist. Glasser believes that Melvin should try to relate to the therapist. Melvin than can use what he learns with the therapist to relate better to the other people in his life. Melvin than can use what he learns with the therapist to relate better to the other people in his life. The more the therapist focus on the symptoms he is choosing the obsessing and compulsive the more he will cling to them and blame the therapist for not being able to rid him of them. The more the therapist focus on the symptoms he is choosing the obsessing and compulsive the more he will cling to them and blame the therapist for not being able to rid him of them.

The therapist can only guide him toward learning that he has choices and then using this knowledge to choose to reconnect. The therapist can only guide him toward learning that he has choices and then using this knowledge to choose to reconnect. If Melvin does, the symptoms will disappear. If Melvin does, the symptoms will disappear.