Reality Theory
Personal Perspective
I am not comfortable with the over-emphasis on choice and responsibility in this theory. While I believe that individuals do make choices and that they should bear responsibility for the choices they make, not all mental illness can be attributed to personal poor choice. Cases of molestation, rape, child-abuse, elder-abuse and other such tragic events leave a client dealing with emotional and behavioral challenges resulting from not having any real choice in the matter. At the same time, I value the concept of dealing with the present and learning to make choices that positively influence the future. However, in cases such as those just mentioned, another therapeutic method would be better suited.
For clients who are looking for direction, I see great value in the WDEP system. I can see this being useful in career planning for high school graduates, evaluation of job offers or potential career changes, and even on a corporate level - helping executives decide what direction to take a company that is at a cross-road and then planning how to get there. Overall, I see reality therapy as somewhat limited. Nevertheless, both the counseling cycle and the WDEP system could be highly useful in specific situations.
References
Corey, G. (2009). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (8th ed.). USA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Hinkley, P. (n.d.). Reality therapy presentation. Retrieved July 23, 2009 from http://www.liberty.edu/media/1413/COUN510/Reality_Therapy/index.html.
I am not comfortable with the over-emphasis on choice and responsibility in this theory. While I believe that individuals do make choices and that they should bear responsibility for the choices they make, not all mental illness can be attributed to personal poor choice. Cases of molestation, rape, child-abuse, elder-abuse and other such tragic events leave a client dealing with emotional and behavioral challenges resulting from not having any real choice in the matter. At the same time, I value the concept of dealing with the present and learning to make choices that positively influence the future. However, in cases such as those just mentioned, another therapeutic method would be better suited.
For clients who are looking for direction, I see great value in the WDEP system. I can see this being useful in career planning for high school graduates, evaluation of job offers or potential career changes, and even on a corporate level - helping executives decide what direction to take a company that is at a cross-road and then planning how to get there. Overall, I see reality therapy as somewhat limited. Nevertheless, both the counseling cycle and the WDEP system could be highly useful in specific situations.
References
Hinkley, P. (n.d.). Reality therapy presentation. Retrieved July 23, 2009 from http://www.liberty.edu/media/1413/COUN510/Reality_Therapy/index.html.
posted by Eowyn7 | 10:08 PM
1 Comments:
I'm so pleased that you are reporting on William Glasser's Reality Therapy. It is an approach that is still valid today. If any of your reader's are interested in training in it, have them check out http://www.realitytherapycentral.com. Keep up the good work.
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