John Brickell and Robert Wubbolding

Reality therapy is a cognitive-behavioural method of counselling and psychotherapy that is highly focused and interactive, and one that has been successfully applied in a wide variety of settings.  Due to its focus on the current life issues perceived by the client (their 'current reality') and the use of skilful questioning techniques on the part of the reality therapist, reality therapy has proved itself to be very effective in shorter-term therapy, although it is, most certainly, not limited to such.

Reality therapy is based on psychiatrist Dr William Glasser's 'Choice Theory' that rests on the principle that all of our motivation and behaviour is an attempt to satisfy one or more of our (five) universal human 'needs', and that we are responsible for the behaviours we generate or choose.  A core idea is that regardless of what may have happened to us, what we may have done, or how our needs may have been violated in the past, we can re-evaluate our current reality and choose behaviours that will help us to satisfy our needs more effectively now and in the future.

What has been found time and again, is that when a person learns to meet his or her needs more effectively in the present , any impact or influence of past events begins to dissolve and the person can move from strength to strength.  To be happy and effective we must live and plan in the present.

Further information about this therapeutic approach written by the authors, can be found in "Introduction to Counselling and Psychotherapy: The Essential Guide", edited by Professor Stephen Palmer and published by Sage, London.  Price £18.99.

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