Reality theory is a practical theory developed by William Glasser that focuses on strengthening relationships and personal responsibility. The theory posits that human behavior is motivated by the desire to meet basic psychological needs and that people have complete control over their own behaviors. For a client named Ana dealing with job loss, family issues, and anxiety with a newborn, reality therapy would aim to help her change unhelpful behaviors, reconnect with supportive relationships, and apply choice theory to take control of her responses. The counselor's role is to build rapport, ask questions to explore behaviors, and help the client develop an action plan.

1. Running head: REALITY THEORY CASE STUDY 1
Reality Theory Case Study
Grand Canyon University- PCN 500
July 14, 2015

2. REALITY CASE STUDY 2
Brief Overview of Reality Theory
Reality theory is a simple, practical theory developed by William Glasser. His goal was
to strengthen human relationships and spread the principles of choice theory in that people are in
complete control of their behaviors but have no control over anyone else’s. Human nature is seen
as being mostly positive but also has the ability to become harmful. Glasser believes that the
motivation behind our behavior is “the gap between what we want and what we have…”
(Murdock, 2013, p. 355); the satisfaction of the needs met and the dissatisfaction of those not
met. We have 5 basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun. The behavior
we choose is a result of our effort to meeting those needs. Reality therapy helps clients take
responsibility for the outcomes of their behaviors. “The problems that bring clients to counseling
are ineffective behaviors resulting in most cases from the lack of satisfying or successful
relationships with one or more people in their lives” (GCU, 2015). “Reality therapy also
emphasizes staying present in the moment and not worrying about the past because the past is
not where we are now and it cannot be allowed to dictate our actions (Bradley, 2014).
Goals and Interventions:
The main goals of reality theory are to help clients develop the ability to capture the
responses (or behaviors) to their surroundings and use choice therapy to take responsibility for
that behavior and make a different choice. “When we want to stop choosing a painful behavior
like depressing [we must] (1) change what we want, (2) change what we are doing, or (3) change
both” (Murdock, 2013). For Ana, who is dealing with the stress in losing her job, the lack of
support from her family and the anxiety with raising a new born, it would be her main goal to
change all of those feelings with the help of choice therapy. Another major goal that Ana will
find useful in reality therapy, is to reconnect and establish the critical relationships in her life.

3. REALITY CASE STUDY 3
Glasser believed “the root problem of most unhappiness is unsatisfying or non-existent
relationships. Because of this void, an individual chooses their own maladaptive behavior as a
way to deal with the frustration of being unfulfilled” (Bradley, 2014, p. 6).
Interventions that will help Ana with her feelings and behaviors are choice theory;
learning it and applying it to her life. Specific questioning from the therapist so that Ana can
evaluate her responses will also help. Reframing would benefit Ana with the anxiety that causes
the tearfulness and hand shaking. Reframing would help her see her situations with a different
perspective. Self-disclosing information with Ana at appropriate times will contribute to a strong
relationship and showcase empathy. Lastly, taking up physical activity like running or meditation
like yoga would be a great way for Ana to shut her brain off and focus her energy on something
other than her distress. “Glasser identified running as a very common form of positive addiction,
but other activities can induce this state, too. The key component of positively addicting
activities is the mental one; these activities induce an extremely pleasurable, trancelike state”
(Murdock, 2013, p. 369).
Theory Duration:
Fortunately for Ana, Reality therapy is a short term therapy that can be completed in 12
sessions. Depending on how long it takes to build a strong client/counselor relationship, and how
quickly choice theory and other techniques can be applied, Ana could complete this therapy in
the 8 sessions her insurance provides.
Counselor’s Role:
The counselor’s responsibility in reality therapy is to be genuine, empathetic, and use
positive regard. The “Therapist should avoid non-productive behaviors such as demeaning and
criticizing, and focus more on mildly confronting the client while being caring and accepting”

4. REALITY CASE STUDY 4
(Bradley, 2014, p. 8). It is important that the counselor asks a lot of questions to challenge the
client to study their behavior. Glasser used the acronym WDEP to describe the counseling
development. The counselor helps the client indentify their wants and illustrate the direction of
their lives and what they are doing now to help themselves. The counselor helps the client
evaluate their actions; whether or not they are useful. And finally, the counselor assists the client
in making an action plan that is not perfect but works for them (Murdock, 2013).
Client’s Role:
The client takes on the role of a student. They are learning elements of choice theory but
at the same time they are also the expert of their own issues and life. It is also the role of the
client to choose something different for their lives. Realizing they are in control of their
behaviors is likely the biggest thing learned and the biggest role they can take.
Appropriate Populations:
Reality theory is used a lot with married individuals to strengthen their marital
relationship (Murdock, 2013). It can be used with children; combined with play therapy to help
them grasp concepts of choice theory (Pereira & Davis, 2013). Children who have been abused
have a strained view of a healthy relationship and would also benefit from reality therapy
(Murdock, 2013). Glasser believed that parents should learn choice theory to help with parenting.
“Choice theory parents reject the use of punishment and instead give their kids massive amounts
of love, which is not conditional on behavior” (Murdock, 2013, p. 361).
Social and Cultural Needs:
Culturally, Ana is considered a minority and “seeing clients, especially minorities, as
victims disempowers them, demeans them, and condemns them to a mental state characterized
by self-talk such as ‘I can’t because they won’t let me.’” (Murdock, 2013, p. 373). It is hard to

5. REALITY CASE STUDY 5
say how Ana’s culture and ethnicity has affected her behaviors and perceptions, so more
background information would be necessary to determine this. Ana’s quality world is determines
by her culture, so determining that and even helping her determine that would need to be
addressed during therapy (Murdock, 2013).
Socially this theory helps clients find freedom in realizing that they are in control.
Therefore, taking action to become better can be liberating and fulfill their 5 needs. The need to
belong, for instance can be found in something they are passionate about. “An enjoyable hobby
is also liberating and empowering. A job successfully performed results in the satisfaction of
power and sometimes belonging”( Wubbolding, 2005, p. 43). For Ana to explore her passions
and perhaps find a job that helps those passions develop, would be really valuable for her.
Additional Information:
Discussing Ana’s cultural background and family influence in her life would be
important to wrestle with during counseling. Addressing aspects of Ana’s life like her not eating
because she does not feel like it, could help Ana make small, practical actions to start out her
therapy.

6. REALITY CASE STUDY 6
References
Bradley, E. L. (2014). Choice theory and reality therapy: an overview. International Journal of
Choice Theory & Reality Therapy, 34(1), 6-13.
Grand Canyon University. (2015). “Lecture 5”. Retrieved from: https://lc-
grad2.gcu.edu/learningPlatform/user/users.html?operation=loggedIn#/learningPlatform/l
oudBooks/loudbooks.html?currentTopicname=Behavioral Therapy and Rational Emotive
Behavior Therapy
(REBT)&viewPage=current&operation=innerPage&topicMaterialId=997ed6d5-f40f-
4b8a-a7be-64e357bd9ea7&contentId=5dc6c33f-3d9d-4fd4-a0eb-375cfc8d8e37&
Murdock, N. L. (2013). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Kansas City, MO: Pearson
Education.
Pereira, J. K., Davis, E., S. (2013). Combining reality therapy and play therapy in work with
children. International Journal of Choice Theory & Reality Therapy, 33(1), 78-86.
Wubbolding, R. E. (2005). The power of belonging. Internationl Journal of Reality Therapy,
24(2), 43-44.