For this discussion, you will create a scenario in which you arecounseling a client, applying techniques fromReality theory. The details of thecounseling session scenario are up to you; however, note that yourclient must come from a diverse social or cultural background.Write the script of your hypothetical counseling session. Thescript must have at least 20 responses—10 from the clientand 10 from you as the counselor. Your responses mustalign with the philosophy and goals ofReality theory and with the multiculturalcontributions or strengths of Realitytheory. Be sure that your interventions align withReality theory of change, interventions,and its vision of client and counselor roles. You will present thefollowing:
1) A brief introduction to the client scenario. The theory youare choosing to apply (REALITY) with abrief rationale for why it is appropriate for the client and his orher presenting problem.
2) Your script, which illustratesREALITY theory. A
3) Paragraph discussing how concepts you applied in the scriptrelated REALITY theory's key concepts,theory of change, interventions, and vision of client and counselorroles.
4) A paragraph discussing how your client's social or culturalbackground affected your application of your chosen approach.
Clinical Approach and Evaluation
Reality Therapy offers ways of settingthe environment and follows procedures that lead to change. Thisprocess interrelates with choice theory in ascertaining the qualityworld pictures, needs, total behavior, and evaluation emanatingfrom perceiving to what degree the person has matched theirpictures to get he needs. Some questions may be: What do you wantout of life? What do you want out of your relationship? What do youdesire out of your friends? Out of work? Out of play? Out ofpower?
Wubbolding used and Reality Therapy and streamlined counselingprocedures (Wubbolding, 2000). Fie provided the acronym WDEP whichallows counselors not only to ground themselves in a coherentframework, but to expand into a myriad of questions within theprocess (Wubbolding, 2000). This process is intended for cliniciansto follow a path within the counseling session. First they obtainwhat the client wants, what he is doing to achieve it. Then theyhelp the client evaluate current behavior, and assess the plan.Within this framework, counseling comes to a quick close. Thisoccurs because clinicians ignore past history, unconsciousactivity, and transference. They focus mainly on thinking andacting (hand and handle) aspects of total behavior. The Freudianconcepts do not fit into this model because focusing on emotion andpast history is fruitless except to elucidate the present and thisis a decision made by the counselor. If reviewing the past onlyallows clients to relive painful experiences, then this would notbe within the realm of reality therapy. Reality Therapy operates inthe present moment with present relationships (Glasser, 1998).
Client evaluation, then, is based on client wants, theirbehaviors and their plan to achieve what they really want. Theclinician listens to the client's story and gathers pertinent data;however, the clinician does not make a mental health diagnosisoutright. That said, a diagnosis is ethically mandatory even ifChoice Theorists disagree with the DSM. Fie stated that apathological diagnosis is only necessary for insurance purposes(Glasser, 1998).
