Ch15ed8 - R

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.
Reality Therapy in Groups
Reality therapys emphasis is on responsibility
We may be the product but are not the victims of our

past
Therapy focuses on the present
Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (1)
We often mistakenly choose misery in our best

attempt to meet our needs
We can only control what we are presently doing
Reality therapy is active, directive, structured,
psychoeducational, and focuses on doing and action
plans
Choice theory and reality therapy

Choice
theory provides an explanation of our

human nature
Reality
therapy offers a method for getting the

relationships we need
All internally motivated behavior is geared toward

meeting one or more of our basic human needs
Love and belonging
Power
Freedom
Fun
Survival (Physiological needs)
All behavior is purposeful
Choice theory is grounded on existential and

phenomenological premises
We perceive the world in the context of our own needs
The focus is on internal control and the subjective world
We choose our own goals and are responsible for the kind of
world we create
Total behavior includes four inseparable components

and is our best attempt to satisfy our needs
Doingactive behaviors
Thinkingthoughts, self-statements
Feelingsanger, joy, pain, anxiety
Physiologybodily reactions
Group leaders challenge members with this

question: Is what you are now choosing to do
getting you what you want?
Skillful questioning is part of reality therapy. Some

questions include:
What do you want in your life that you are not getting?
If you changed, how would you feel better?
Reality therapy group leaders:
teach members the basics of choice theory and its

applications to their lives
help members understand that they have some control over

their feelings by choosing to act and think differently
Some functions include:
actively discouraging excuses for irresponsible or ineffective

behavior
facilitating the process of evaluating which wants are

realistically attainable
helping members evaluate their present behavior
10
Initial stage
Key leader functions include:

developing a safe psychological atmosphere
discussing informed consent
exploring rules and boundaries
11
Transition stage
Key leader functions include dealing effectively with:

conflict
Anxiety
control issues
resistance
12
Working stage

encouraging feedback among members
helping members to evaluate their level of commitment
assisting members in reframing failure
encouraging the development of action plans
teaching members how to confront without criticism
13
Final stage

dealing with feelings and thoughts about termination
completing unfinished business
carrying learning further
14
Group leaders aim to establish a safe climate as the

basis for effectively implementing procedures
Leaders need to demonstrate:
warmth and care
understanding and acceptance
respect for members
openness and nondefensiveness
15
Group leaders strive to teach members to accept

responsibility for their total behaviors
Leaders help members to see that reasonable

consequences are necessary and useful
Leaders do not give up easily on members ability to

find a more responsible way of living
16
W WantsWhat do you want? Describe your picture album or

quality world
D Doing and DirectionWhat are you doing? Will this choice
get you where you want to go?
E Evaluation---To what degree is what you are doing enhancing
your relationships?
P
PlanningSAMIC
17
SimpleEasy to understand, specific and concrete
A AttainableWithin the capacities and motivation of the group

member
M MeasurableAre the changes observable and helpful?

I
Immediate and InvolvedWhat can be done today? What can

you do?
C ControlledCan you do this by yourself or will you be dependent

on others?
18
There are five levels of commitment to follow

through with ones action plans (Wubbolding, 2000):
Level
1: I dont want to be here. You cant help
me.
Level
2: I want the outcome. But I dont want to

exert any effort.
19
3: Ill try. I might. I could.
Level
4: I will do my best.
Level
5: I will do whatever it takes.
Level
20
Using the WDEP system in a group context, children

and adolescents can be encouraged to:
explore the degree to which they are meeting their needs for
love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun
explore their wants, needs, and perceptions
design an action plan to change their behavior
21
The approach must be modified to meet the needs

of culturally diverse clients
Generalizations about different cultures should be

avoided
Leaders need to allow latitude for a diverse range of

acceptable behaviors to satisfy members needs
22
Contributions and strengths of the approach
It emphasizes personal accountability
Members are asked to make their own evaluations of what

they are currently doing and how it is working for them
It emphasizes creating action plans to help members

become invested in the process of getting what they want
23
Contributions and strengths of the approach
Reality therapy is a straightforward and clear approach that

can be used effectively with many populations
It emphasizes skillful questioning
24
Limitations of the approach
Some leaders might assume the role of preacher or moral

expert
Not much attention is given to expressing and exploring

feelings
The role of the past is given scant attention
25

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Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Reality Therapy in Groups

Reality therapys emphasis is on responsibility

We may be the product but are not the victims of our

Therapy focuses on the present

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (1)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

We often mistakenly choose misery in our best

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (2)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Choice theory and reality therapy

theory provides an explanation of our

therapy offers a method for getting the

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (3)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

All internally motivated behavior is geared toward

Love and belonging

Survival (Physiological needs)

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (4)

All behavior is purposeful

Choice theory is grounded on existential and

We perceive the world in the context of our own needs

The focus is on internal control and the subjective world

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (5)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Total behavior includes four inseparable components

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (6)

Group leaders challenge members with this

Skillful questioning is part of reality therapy. Some

If you changed, how would you feel better?

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (7)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Reality therapy group leaders:

teach members the basics of choice theory and its

help members understand that they have some control over

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (9)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Some functions include:

actively discouraging excuses for irresponsible or ineffective

facilitating the process of evaluating which wants are

helping members evaluate their present behavior

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (10)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Key leader functions include:

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (12)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Key leader functions include dealing effectively with:

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (13)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Key leader functions include:

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (14)

Copyright 2012 Brooks/Cole, a division of CengageLearning, Inc.

Key leader functions include:

Theory and Practice of Group CounselingChapter 15 (15)