Theories of Counseling - Reality Therapy

This video explains the theory of Reality Therapy as applied to mental health counseling. A summary of Reality Therapy and opinion on how specific aspects can be used in integrative counseling are reviewed.

[@ivengrowe4783]

The needs of survival, belonging, power, freedom, and fun are needed for survival in life. I like the fact this modality focuses on the hear and now and not the past, with the therapist being positive, hones, and non-judgmental while helping the client meet their goals with specific plans.

[@alexandrajones3178]

I like the idea that people have needs other than our survival needs. The other needs like belonging, power, freedom, and fun, are just as important and have a significant impact on people's functioning. I also like that this therapy recognizes people have a high level of control in regard to their doing and thinking. Many people fail to realize that they have this control and are able to make change because of it.

[@brittbell15]

I like Reality Therapy a lot. Reality Theory is a very helpful in getting clients to take control over their own actions and become responsible for their lives. This will help clients to be able to function in their life in the most beneficial ways possible without having to rely on anyone or anything.

[@Willow_Mary]

Your videos are so helpful for further understanding what is covered in the textbooks of a counseling program. Thanks for sharing! I watch your videos weekly and always learn a great deal.

[@ushalincoln2546]

What I like about reality therapy is that I does not allow the client to make excuses about there situations. This video was very helpful in clarifying the different aspects of reality therapy.

[@psycholog_happy_life]

Thank you very much for this great video! I am realotherapist. I found it is very effective method according my clients result and their life improving!

[@aussiebreeze3971]

I had a negative view of reality therapy until watching Dr. Grande's summary video. I have a better understanding now of how the therapeutic relationship is utilized; and that there are precautions to take. No therapy is one size fits all. We know that. But I now see value in this technique is used competently and with caution.

[@rhondabaileyyy]

I like the focus on the basic needs of survival, belonging, power, freedom and fun. I agree that these needs are the driving forces for most of us. I also believe that many people determine success based on their ability to acheive in these areas.

[@scottmartin7764]

I really liked this video, I like how Reality therapy has people take responsibility for what they do. I don't like how Glasser believed that people choose to be depressed and that people suffering from psychosis were just creative. I feel like if you have ever felt depression or known someone who is truly depressed you can understand that they don't have control. I did like the idea behind changing how people think to change what they do.

[@janicedixon2051]

I agree with some of the other comments when people say that this type of therapy would not be effective for all clients. Reality therapy is more directive and the piece about taking responsibility is hard for some people which I imagine may cause conflict in session depending on the counselors approach to the client.

[@MyDonh]

I like reality theory for some of the same reasons Dr G does. I think the focus on personal responsibility as opposed to placing too much blame on incidents and persons from the past. I also like the firmness that is used once the alliance has been established to assist the client with being responsible for the choices they make. I think this would be a good therapy ot use with those of us who are going to be counseling adolescents.

[@heather7927]

+don wilson I share the same view with you in that personal responsibility is an important aspect. I can appreciate that this theory focuses on accountability rather than placing the blame on past experiences which can be beneficial to individuals who may not realize that they are in control of their life and the consequences they may face.

[@jackieslavin2150]

Thank you for this educational power point video. I feel like I relate to reality therapy. It’s real! There are a lot of points that I really like. I do believe that we have the power to be whatever we want to be. We just get lost and comfortable along the way. I do agree with this theory that we make decisions to meet needs in the moment. I do not agree that we chose our symptoms.

[@ashleymegahan5966]

I found that I can really relate to reality theory. I enjoyed the discussion on the fundamental concept of needs, emphasizing how clients needs are met. I find that when working with challenging populations, it is expected that the counselor address the clients basic needs before discussing secondary goals in therapy.

[@andreanichols7950]

I appreciate the straightforward approach that occurs with this modality. I don't think people choose symptoms such as psychosis though. I like the needs aspect of it especially fun because we need balance. I find this theory to be practical and useful though I think I would integrate it if a client needed this approach to promote growth.

[@DJK-cq2uy]

Great content . This guy sounds about as passionate as a Billy Goat on its way to a vasectomy.

[@lauraleslie4240]

With Reality Therapy, one of the main components I agree with is the piece of not accepting excuses, while also being responsible for one's choices. It seems rather simple, but too often we see people who are unable to accept responsibility for their actions/choices and place the blame and responsibility on another. However, it did seem limiting with Glasser not subscribing to severe mental illness and saying he doesn't believe in schizophrenia, but one chooses to present schizophrenic behaviors and have deep rooted needs not met. There may be a correlation to deep rooted needs not being met, but choosing schizophrenic behaviors seems a little dismissive to the severity of the illness.

[@corinne7324]

This video was great. It gave me a better understanding of reality therapy. I also like this theory because it deals with the here and now just like gestalt therapy. It also relates to behavior therapy by becoming aware of the way one thinks and how it affects their behavior. I like that humor is one of the techniques in reality therapy. Not only is it authentic but it helps build the therapeutic alliance with the client.

[@angelinastanton7996]

I also like that humor is integrated in Reality Therapy because I think this is very healing for the client. I do not like that Reality Therapy only focuses on the present and somewhat on the future because I think childhood experiencs can be very helpful in understanding a client in his present state.

[@kyarapanula1002]

I love the notion of basic needs...so often, whether in medicine, education, or politics, there's a professional agenda that skips over the basic needs of the individual. As we have seen with floundering schools and malpractice cases, we are now waking up to a more authentic standard of care. In this sense, Reality Theory does not stand alone as much as, for example, Cognitive Behavioral Theory, but instead integrates itself into one's counselor identity. RT come across as a tool to utilize after intake, so that we may learn about the holistic picture of the client.

[@pearlbutler9377]

+Kyara Panula I agree with the concepts of needs. I think this notion is one that is easily relatable with all living beings.

[@angiegrimes7265]

I find the theory to be practical than some of the other theories we have studies. This theory recognizes that meeting basic needs such as food and shelter are integral to the client's well being. This theories also covers wants, bot big and small. I remember having a conversation with a sibling about our childhood. I said that I had gotten almost everything I needed and she said that she had never gotten anything she wanted. I wish i had known about this theory at the time. Would have been an interesting discussion.

[@katybethhern6167]

+Angie Grimes I agree that this theory is a lot more practical than the past theories we have explored. I too had the same experience with my older sibling which caused much resentment in our relationship.

[@nakeshatucker6844]

I think the emphasis on understanding how needs are met is very important. Like Dr. Grande said, it would be hard to develop a successful identity if certain needs are not met, especially the basic needs of life. Also, I like how reality therapy maintains that not taking responsibility could lead to symptoms. I believe that people fare better once they reach the point of being in control of their own lives in an effective way. I know I feel more secure when I take responsibility for my own behaviors and when I am in control of my own life, that is why I am careful with the decisions I make.

[@corinne7324]

Nakesha, I too believe that in order to develop a successful identity, basic needs must be met. I feel that showing affection to a child at a young age is important so that they can develop long lasting relationships with others as they get older. If the child doesn't have any warmth or affection, then the child will have a difficult time developing and maintaining friendships.

[@tracey6999]

I really misunderstood this theory, but have grown to actually like it in reference to getting the client to take responsibility for their own actions. We live in a society where many individuals chose to ignore their wrongs and blame everyone else for their own actions and problems. This would work best for adults, and adolescents more than children in opinion, because their still going through a crucial developmental stage and this therapy could be a bit harsh in all actuality for them. I like the realistic approach that it takes with getting the client to not only take responsibility of their own actions, but the nonjudgmental stance that this theory takes, the therapeutic alliance utilized as well, which is quite fundamental for the client's experience, well said. Thank you for explaining, I would have loved a demonstration for this type of therapy! #FutureClinicalMentalHealthTherapist

[@ProductofGodmercy]

Thank you for Sharing Dr. Todd

[@priscillaj3072]

The one thing I didn't like about this theory was the view that all symptoms are choices. I personally don't think psychosis is just a choice for someone, and as counselors in training who have taken certain undergraduate courses, we know that a lot of symptoms, behaviors, and disorders are results of chemical imbalances. I do agree, however, sometimes individuals will chose maladaptive behaviors to fulfill certain needs which can then lead to negative symptoms for them. But, I have a hard time believing someone would chose to be psychotic, and believe that reality therapy takes choices of symptoms a little too far.

[@pearlbutler9377]

+priscilla j I agree. I also like what Dr. Grande stated about the positive aspects of choices. Individuals have more control over how they address different aspects of their lives. Often client expressed feelings of limited control due to consequences from certain behaviors.

[@MonicaselOlguin]

+priscilla j Yes, I think that's why emphasized that somehow on 14:11

[@caitlinirwin6334]

Needs are very important because as human beings we crave the usual needs: shelter, food, clothing, even shall we say LOVE...I once read an article where there were children who did not receive human affection, so they grew up not knowing how to love. These children did not receive a very basic and very important need. The idea of LOVE is shown through affection and if a client did not receive that affection then they find it hard, like Dr. Grande says to develop a successful identity. My worry is the long and hard road a client has to take to not only understand but relearn healthy needs, but first they may find it even harder to take responsibility for their past behavior that lead them to the maladaptive behaviors. I agree with Nakesha that once a person identifies and takes personal responsibility and ownership in their own behavior they can then take control of their life.

[@TheSereiaM]

Another great video 👋

[@KMDBirdFriend]

I liked this very much but was wondering why sociopath and psychopath wasn't mentioned. They certainly are personality disorders. I looked up that sociopath is listed now under anti-social PD, but it might be useful to mention them. Thank you for your videos. They are very helpful to me while in school studying psychology.

[@DrGrande]

You're welcome! -- I have a few videos on psychopathy and sociopathy that I will be releasing over the next several weeks.

[@nancyherrick8262]

The need for power is not to be better than others, That is incorrect in Glasser's concepts. Power is accomplishment, courage, value to offer, achievement, belief in self.

[@darian4131]

You are incorrect in labeling power as being "better than others" - power, as described in the actual model is the feeling of accomplishment.

[@nawafpsy]

Hi ! Is reality therapy classified as Humanistic or something else?

[@angelinastanton7996]

For the most part, I do not think I connected well with Reality Therapy. I felt like some of the needs like power and survival were similar to Darwinism and survival of the fittest. I did not understand how that connects with therapy. I also do not agree that a person chooses their symptoms, especially psychosis. I like that the techniques consist of using humor and establishing a therapeutic alliance in therapy. The techniques seemed vague, and I would like to look further into examples of using the techniques.

[@jackieslavin2150]

Thats really interesting Ang. I hadn't thought of it like that. I like that you related it to Darwinism.

[@kikixiong6156]

Personally, I think this therapy could be useful for limited clients and problems. Even if it has many good concepts, it’s hard to imagine it can be applied to al kinds of circumstances. As much as I like how straightforward the therapy is, i disagree with applying “the choice” to every client’s behavior and feeling.

[@PINKFLOYDIRL]

Maslow or Erikson anybody?

[@cocostarfish5018]

i have people around me that treat based on alternate realities, WTF?!Q