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

2. Choice Theory/Reality Therapy
Chapter 11
Choice Theory/Reality Therapy

3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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)
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6. 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
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7. Total Behavior Doing – active behaviors
Thinking – thoughts, self-statements
Feelings – anger, joy, pain, anxiety
Physiology – bodily reactions
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8. Cycle of Counseling Two major components:
Creating the counseling environment
Supportive, challenging, and noncoercive
Implementing specific procedures that lead to changes in behavior
WDEP
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9. 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”
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10. Planning For Change
S Simple A Attainable M Measurable I Immediate and involved C Controlled by the planner, committed to, and consistently done
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11. 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
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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
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18. 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
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19. 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
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