Reality Therapy

Question 1

Reality Therapy

Theory of Change

Answer 1

Change occurs through identifying and meeting needs as well as developing satisfying interpersonal relationships.

Question 2

Reality Therapy

Role of the Therapist

Answer 2

• The main function of the therapist is to create a nurturing relationship with the client.
• Supportive, non-judgmental, patient coach

Question 3

Reality Therapy

Treatment Goals

Answer 3

• Client learns more effective ways of meeting his or her needs
• Clients learn to engage in self-evaluation
• Clients gain a sense of inner control of their lives
• Clients learn to change what they do as a key to changing how they feel and getting what they want.

Question 4

Reality Therapy

Key Concepts

Answer 4

• Based on Choice Theory, which asserts that each of us is a self-determining being who can choose future behaviors and hold ourselves consciously responsible for how we are acting, thinking, feeling, and also for our physiological states.
• Everyone has four needs: love/belonging, power/achievement, freedom, and fun/relaxation
• People are always trying to meet one of their needs
• People are in control of what they are currently doing and have the power to make different choices
• Client’s act irresponsibly when one or more of their basic needs aren’t being met

Question 5

Reality Therapy

Interventions

Answer 5

• Focus on the areas where clients have choices.
• Focus on present choices, avoid discussions of problems in past or symptoms
• Challenge client to examine and evaluate their own behavior
• Explore client wants, needs and perceptions
• Doing and directing – focus on what client is currently doing and thinking
• Discuss feelings only when related to client’s behaviors/choices
• Teach self-evaluation: Does present behavior have a reasonable chance of getting you what you want?
• Formulate action plan for change – focus on positive, attainable action steps
• Review results of plan and adjust accordingly
• Use humor

Question 6

Reality Therapy - Phases of Treatment

Beginning

Answer 6

Create a therapeutic environment – both supportive and challenging; Ask clients what they want from therapy: discuss direction of their lives; define the wants of the client

Question 7

Reality Therapy - Phases of Treatment

Middle

Answer 7

Explore choices client is making in current relationships; Identify other possible choices; encourage client to focus on what they can control, formulate action plan for change

Question 8

Reality Therapy - Phases of Treatment

End

Answer 8

Review what client learned; plan for maintenance of new behavior