Choice theory reality therapy worksheets

What is the difference between choice theory and reality therapy. Choice theory reality therapy techniques. What is reality choice therapy. What is choice theory and reality therapy.

Reality therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that views all behaviors as choices, which means that it doesn't consider mental health conditions.
It is based on a concept called choice theory, which says that humans only have five basic needs, all of which are genetically driven and can't be changed. Because of this, reality therapy is a bit controversial in the therapy world since it rejects the diagnosis of mental health conditions. William Glasser developed reality therapy in 1962, but he didn't
describe choice theory until 34 years later, in 1996. He described it as an update on an existing concept called control theory because he thought that name sounded more positive. Choice theory says that people can take control of their lives by taking more responsibility for their actions. It believes that most unhappiness results from poor
relationships—either because those relationships are nonexistent or generally unsatisfying—and that people's negative actions and choices result from dealing with the void left by these poor relationships. It also says that people choose to have negative emotions, which leads to people making negative decisions. Glasser believes that the solution to a
happier existence is fairly simple: people making better choices will lead to better relationships and overall happiness.
The choice theory dictates that people, at their core, are trying to satisfy five basic needs. Survival: This covers the standard needs of food and shelter, including psychological needs, such as feeling safe and secure.Love and belonging: This focuses on relationships with everyone, including friends and family, co-workers, teachers, and even
pets.Power: This doesn't mean that everyone seeks to achieve some domineering presence but rather says that people want to make some difference that allows them to leave behind a legacy.Freedom: This need says that people need to feel as though they have autonomy in their daily lives and their creative lives.Fun: More than just a good outing,
this says that people need to experience pleasure, humor, relaxation, and learning that they find interesting and satisfying. During reality therapy, therapists will often work with their patients to understand these four concepts laid out by choice theory. This is particularly important for couples who are interested in reality therapy. It proposes that
every interaction can practice the seven connecting or the seven disconnecting relationship habits. Connecting relationship habits include supporting, encouraging, and listening, while disconnecting habits include criticizing, blaming, and complaining. According to Glasser, everyone has a quality world in their minds, where they store away their
goals and visions for their lives.
For your mind to consider something a part of the quality world, it only has to meet at least one basic need. The perceived world, on the other hand, is much more subjective. Basically, Glasser explains that the perceived world is based on all of your life experiences, as well as your background. From there, each experience or person that you
encounter is filed away based on things that have happened to you in the past. Comparing place is the act of mentally comparing what you want (your quality world) with what you have (your perceived world). Glasser believes that the closer the two are, the better a person feels. Glasser believes that every choice is purposeful and that people make
their best attempt with the information at their disposal. That said, in reality therapy, Glasser encourages people to look at these choices objectively so that they can determine whether they're actually bringing them closer to their goals. Since reality therapy hinges on the beliefs of choice theory, the practice techniques focus largely on the five basic
needs that humans aim to fulfill in their lives. While Glasser believes that humans are genetically driven to attain all five needs, he says that some people might need more of one than the other. While many therapists use concepts from reality therapy in their practices, some of the tenets of reality therapy have proven most helpful in school settings.
In an article for The Education Digest, William Glasser explained that more mindful student-teacher interactions and relationships could change the outcome of a child's ability to learn. This, he explains, is because children need to feel respected, and teachers need to make efforts to understand students' individual roadblocks. Couples therapy is
another setting where aspects of reality therapy and choice theory have proven particularly helpful. It asks couples to think about what they are directly responsible for and build on the good. Since reality therapy emphasizes accountability, it's proven to be particularly helpful for adults struggling with addiction. Not only does it help them recognize
the negative impacts that it has had on their lives in the past, but it has also been shown to increase feelings of hope. This is because it also helps them feel more in control.
Reality therapy has also proven to be quite beneficial in school settings. Not only does it emphasize self-control, but it also shows kids that they can control the consequences that result from their behaviors and their school work. Reality therapy has proven to be super effective in groups since it emphasizes accountability. This concept is often easier
to grasp when taught alongside others who are also participating. That said, it teaches people to hold themselves personally accountable as well. It's worth noting, however, that it has been studied significantly less in practice during individual therapy sessions. That said, in addition to improved performance with students, it has also proven beneficial
with teachers. This is partially because interacting with groups of people going through similar experiences helps people, in general, feel less alone and more supported. Another group that has experienced positive effects as a result of reality therapy is people with schizophrenia. Patients engaged in sessions of group reality therapy experienced
boosted self-esteem, a higher feeling of being in control, and had an easier time coping with stress. All of the groups share a positive boost in self-esteem because reality therapy emphasizes that individuals can practice and get better at self-control. This helps people feel as though they can control their life choices and even help others do the same.
While many of these concepts are widely accepted, there are some pitfalls to consider if you're looking for a personal therapist specializing solely in reality therapy. The most major, of course, is that it does not take mental health conditions into account. This is particularly important if you're looking for a therapist for yourself or you and a partner.
However, the overarching concepts can still be useful in school or educational settings. If you are searching for a counselor or an educator certified in choice theory and reality therapy, the Glasser Institute offers a directory. If you're looking for a reality therapist that understands the concepts, consider setting up an initial call with a new therapist to
ask about their methods and if they integrate reality therapy into their sessions.
If you're seeking a couples therapist specializing in reality therapy, you can expect some initial questions that Glasser himself laid out. They focus on determining why you and your significant other went into therapy in the first place, to see if the couple is truly seeking help because they want to make their relationship work or because they just want
to say they've tried. Other questions prompted couples to explain what they think is wrong with the relationship, what they think is good in the relationship, and what they will do in the next week that they believe will help. The point of these questions is to help the couple focus on what they can control, and throughout the sessions, they will be asked
to continue adding in things that they can change. Reality Therapy holds clients responsible for their behavior rather than blaming their environment, parents, or culture (Wubbolding, 2017).

Unlike many other treatments, Reality Therapy claims that the various behavioral issues that bring clients to therapy are a product of the inability to fulfill their essential human needs (Glasser, 2010). How they behave results from this failure despite the meaning and validity it has for them. This article introduces some key concepts and goals for
Reality Therapy, along with real-life examples, techniques, and worksheets for therapists to use with their clients. Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology, including strengths, values, and self-
compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees. Reality Therapy: Key Concepts and Goals As a psychiatric resident in the 1960s, William Glasser (2010) became disillusioned with classical psychoanalytic treatment and began experimenting with a very different approach, which he called Reality
Therapy. In Reality Therapy, “the helping person becomes both involved with and very real,” to the client, unlike conventional therapists, who are taught to remain objective and impersonal (Glasser, 2010, p. 6).
At that time, clinical psychology assumed a client’s neuroses arose out of unrealistically high moral standards. Glasser, on the other hand, argued that “human beings get into emotional binds, not because their standards are too high, but because their performance has been, and is, too low” (Glasser, 2010, p. 7). One of Reality Therapy’s greatest
strengths is that it can be used with any group, from war veterans to adolescents. Its aim remains the same: to create awareness of the following in the client (Glasser, 2010): Responsibility A responsible person acts in a way that creates feelings of self-worth and worth to those around them. When unsuccessful at fulfilling their own needs, clients
deny the reality of the environment. They only become successful when they face that reality and fulfill their needs within that framework.
Right and wrong Being worthwhile requires clients to maintain a reasonable standard of behavior, correcting themselves when they behave poorly and crediting themselves when doing things right. Glasser (2010) summarizes how Reality Therapy differs from conventional therapy with the following six points: Reality Therapy does not accept the
concept of mental illness; clients must take responsibility for their behavior. Working in the present and toward the future; the client is not limited by their past. Clients relate to therapists as themselves rather than as transference figures (the therapist should not relive the client’s past experiences with them). Unconscious motivations or reasons are
not sought or accepted as a reason for poor behavior. Facing up to the morality of behavior – right and wrong – to solidify the client’s involvement. Clients are taught more effective ways to meet their needs. The goal of Reality Therapy is not simply to help clients face reality; they must also learn to fulfill their needs (Glasser, 2010). Indeed, the
American Psychological Association (n.d.) defines it as “the development of the ability to cope with the stresses of reality and take greater responsibility for the fulfillment of his or her needs.” 3 Real-Life Examples and Cases The following two real-life examples are taken from Glasser’s (2010) own casebook and provide valuable insight into different
aspects of Reality Therapy. Aaron was an aggressive and unhappy 11-year-old son of an emotionally detached, intellectual, divorced woman. Despite previous therapy, no one had ever put either value judgment or limits on his destructive behavior. Glasser (2010) had no breakthrough with his troubled client until he began to emphasize Aaron’s reality
and his present conduct, explaining that the way he acted was intolerable and would no longer be accepted. He told Aaron he was going to have to change. Criticizing Aaron for his old weaknesses while praising him when he behaved well led to a strengthened therapeutic alliance, resulting in more positive behavior, improvements in his relationship
with his mother, and him ultimately being discharged from therapy. Pat was a financially secure, married mother of two who felt something was missing in her life. Despite expecting to talk about her childhood in therapy, Glasser restricted the discussion to her present life and the world around her. Pat appeared to revel in her protracted descriptions
of her childish behavior toward her husband and wished for Glasser to take on the role of reformer, challenging her behavior. When Glasser failed to comply, she responded with criticisms of his ability and professionalism.

And yet, after a year of treatment, their alliance grew. Glasser could point out her irresponsibility and help her become accountable for her life, take charge, and change. Reality Therapy treatment plan: An example The following example outlines a successful treatment plan for a client (modified from Wubbolding, 2017): Emi was a 38-year-old flight
attendant with increasing anxiety about flying who had also experienced the loss of a partner through a car accident. She was increasingly concerned that her coworkers and passengers may notice her fears, and she recognized her continuing withdrawal from everyday life.
Her subsequent counseling sessions with a Reality Therapist explored four psychological needs, including belonging, inner control, freedom, and fun, and led to specific plans to satisfy those needs (modified from Wubbolding, 2017): Belonging Committing to reengaging with her friends, restarting activities she had put on hold, and visiting her
parents more regularly. Inner control, power, and achievement Following through on plans to progress her career with the view that her partner would have been proud of her. Freedom Continuing the breathing exercises that she believed were helping her anxiety. Fun and enjoyment Taking on new educational opportunities related to her job and
listening to more music for pleasure. Planning and following through allowed Emi to regain a sense of control and proved to be an essential part of the Reality Therapy process (Wubbolding, 2017). 8 Popular Techniques and Interventions Several techniques facilitate the practitioner’s focus on healthy behaviors rather than persistently examining
symptoms of mental disorder, including (modified from Wubbolding, 2017): Sharing yourself Engaging in appropriate self-disclosure enhances the counseling process and is a powerful modeling technique to complement the growing relationship.

Listening for metaphors and making use of stories Listening for metaphors, such as “I’m down in the dumps” or “I’m being walked all over,” and reusing them in conversation with the client. Listening for change talk and in-control talk Asking open-ended questions that prompt motivational answers and listening carefully for language indicating the
desire to change. Listening for themes Helping the client verbalize a series of wants, positive and negative perceptions, and effective and ineffective behaviors to uncover core beliefs. Allowing or imposing consequences Helping clients recognize positive and negative consequences and self-evaluate what is reasonable. Allowing silence Recognizing
that silence can be an effective technique for putting the responsibility on the client, especially when the therapist is unclear of an appropriate intervention, allowing time for both the therapist and client to self-evaluate. Showing empathy Attempting to see the world through the eyes of the client. Also, it can be helpful for both parties to see the client
as more self-actualizing and successful in the future. Create anticipation Clients become aware that therapy is more than simply talking and that change is possible or even inevitable. 3 Best Exercises and Activities to Try Help your clients with the following activities. Understanding the client’s ‘wants’ Our motivation relies on the satisfaction of
several basic needs. Therefore, it is crucial in therapy to help the client understand their wants and goals. Inquiring and reflecting in therapy are valuable techniques for digging deeper into the client’s wants, helping them and the therapist form a more detailed picture on which to base future work. Use the Understanding Client ‘Wants’ worksheet to
guide questioning and reflection to understand better their ‘wants’ either during the session or as homework. Setting goals Planning and setting goals is an integral part of therapy. When working on and agreeing to a plan of action with the client, use the acronym SAMIC3 to consider whether all vital elements have been included (modified from
Wubbolding, 2017): Simple – Is the plan uncomplicated and easily understood?
Attainable – Is it realistically achievable? Measurable – Is it measurable? Immediate – Can it be carried out as soon as possible? Controlled – Is it (mostly) under the control of the planner? Committed to – Has it been committed to – written down or sealed with a handshake? Consistent – Is the plan consistent throughout in style and approach? Plans
can be revised as required and tracked according to their completion. Best group activity: Self-evaluating toxic behaviors The following activity can be performed with a single client, but it is especially helpful when used in groups, where it is possible to learn from other members’ behavior. Reality Therapy (and choice therapy, upon which it is
founded) aims to “replace ineffective external control ideas with more effective in-control self-talk leading to more satisfying action behavior, that is choice” (Wubbolding, 2017, p. 27). However, a toxic atmosphere resulting from several different patterns of unhelpful behavior can damage the therapeutic alliance. Use the Toxic Behaviors in Therapy
worksheet as a valuable self-evaluation technique to identify and, where possible, stop damaging behaviors. These detailed, science-based exercises will equip you or your clients with tools to find new pathways to reduce suffering and more effectively cope with life stressors. Worksheets for Counselors & Therapists The following therapy worksheets
are helpful for Reality Therapists to understand the needs and choices that make up their client’s reality. Meeting Needs With Reality Therapy It is important to remember that every human is born with needs, and we are motivated throughout our lives to satisfy them. When our needs are met, we feel good and experience a greater sense of wellbeing
(Wubbolding, 2017). The Meeting Needs With Reality Therapy worksheet helps us understand client needs and what actions could be taken to meet them. Behavior Self-Evaluation Self-evaluation is a crucial aspect of Reality Therapy, helping us consider the choices we make and how they affect our lives (Wubbolding, 2017). The Behavior Self-
Evaluation worksheet focuses on a past decision, whether it was helpful, and how we could choose differently in the future. Expectations Versus Reality Reality Therapy encourages clients to set realistic goals rather than ones with a high risk of failure (Glasser, 2010). The Expectations Versus Reality worksheet includes four question groups to help
your client set realistic expectations and define achievable goals. ‘Impact on Others’ Self-Evaluation One vital area of self-reflection involves reflecting on how our behavior affects those around us (Wubbolding, 2017). The ‘Impact on Others’ Self-Evaluation worksheet considers key aspects of our lives, how we behave in them, and our impacts on
others – good or bad.
Considering how we affect others helps both client and therapist form a more complete picture of their reality.
20+ Questions to Ask Your Clients A crucial aspect of Reality Therapy is understanding the client’s present – their reality – rather than their past (Glasser, 2010). Wubbolding (2017) extended Reality Therapy by including what became known as the WDEP system, capturing wants, doing, evaluation, and planning, by asking: What do you want? What
are you doing? Is it working? What is your plan? These WDEP questions help the client become aware of their needs and behaviors, the effectiveness of the latter, and how they perceive the world around them. Become a Reality Therapist: Certifications There are several opportunities to train and become certified as a reality therapist. We have
included three below: 3 Fascinating Books on the Topic The following therapy books are three of our favorites on Reality Therapy, offering a comprehensive grounding on the techniques involved. 1. Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry – William Glasser With over 500,000 sales, William Glasser’s book is the definitive reference for Reality
Therapy. In his book, he contrasts his approach to psychotherapy with conventional treatments and provides a practical guide for therapists wishing to adopt his techniques. Find the book on Amazon. 2.
Reality Therapy and Self-Evaluation: The Key to Client Change – Robert Wubbolding Robert Wubbolding takes readers on a journey through the core concepts of self-evaluation and the WDEP system of Reality Therapy. His practical book contains guidance for therapists on building the skills and using the strategies and techniques required to help
clients of all ages and from all cultures. Find the book on Amazon. 3. Treatment Planning with Choice Theory and Reality Therapy – Michael Fulkerson This book is a newer version of the previous ‘Treatment Planning from a Reality Therapy Perspective.’ According to the author, the book contains more current person-centered recovery principles. The
book is a primer for therapists wishing to create treatment plans in line with the Reality Therapy perspective. Michael Fulkerson provides a valuable and practical guide that enables therapists to integrate choice theory/reality therapy with traditional treatment plans. Find the book on Amazon. Possible Limitations of the Approach While Reality
Therapy is a valuable approach for treating clients, it does have its critics for several reasons, including the following (Nunez, 2021; Glasser, 2010): Glasser claims that mental illness does not exist. Due to the style of therapy, there is a risk that the therapist imposes their beliefs and values on the client, impacting the goals set and the behavior
deemed acceptable.
Glasser dismisses medical intervention, yet drugs can have a vital part to play alongside other treatments.

Ignoring the unconscious may be dismissing some essential factors involved in decision-making and behavior. Past conflict and trauma are ignored. Resources From PositivePsychology.com We have many resources that can be helpful in Reality Therapy for communicating better and understanding current thinking and beliefs.
Our free resources include: The PERMA model The PERMA model is a helpful tool for remembering what is important for leading a life with purpose. Active Listening Reflection Worksheet This practical worksheet recognizes what is needed for active listening and helps you ensure you are applying the techniques. Reward Replacement Worksheet
This exercise helps the user target behaviors for change by identifying the negative side effects. More extensive versions of the following tools are available with a subscription to the Positive Psychology Toolkit©, but they are described briefly below: Mental Contrasting Using the WOOP Method The four-step WOOP method enables clients to
construct their goals positively and accurately. Step one – Take slow breaths to relax and visualize a wish that is crucial to you now. Step two – Visualize the benefit the wish will bring for you. Step three – Consider what may block your path, including behaviors. Step four – Write down an if–then plan to tackle obstacles that stand in your way.