What is Reality Therapy?

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Reality Therapy states that individuals, not mental health issues, are responsible for their actions and behavior. People make choices that help them get their needs met, but some of these choices are unhelpful, leading to poor relationships skills and ways of relating to others. The therapist’s goal is to motivate individuals to take responsibility for their choices and behavior.

Counselors traditionally use Reality Therapy in prisons and schools. They can use it for individuals, couples, or groups.

Some mental health professionals claim Reality Therapy doesn’t validate mental health diagnoses.

Motivation, behavior, choices, and action are core components in Reality Therapy. Your therapist might help you understand each of these concepts and how they apply to your life. Therapists often spend time asking clients what their needs are. These can range from small things, such as desiring to rid yourself of a bad habit, to larger-scale issues, such as wanting to get your needs more fully met by your partner. Your therapist will help you decide what behaviors can more efficiently get your needs met.

Much of Reality Therapy involves identifying how your behavior, thus far, hasn’t been helpful. Once you gain this understanding, you will be more likely to make choices that align with getting your needs met in healthy, positive ways.

Therapists Who Specialize in Using Reality Therapy

Candice McDonald

Colorado Springs

Colorado

When feelings of stress are beginning to build up and a loss of control seems to be more and more inevitable, I can help. If you are having difficulty dealing with every day life or that everyone is against you, then lets talk about it. Putting yourself first will help bring out the best version of yourself. By making the steps to seek counseling, you will develop skills to help when life throws…
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 20 years of experience, an MS in Counseling from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, and a BA in Psychology from Schreiner University in Kerrville, TX. During my career, I have worked with people with severe mental illness in psychiatric hospitals as well as people recovering from various traumas. I have worked with people and their famili...

Bryan Young, LPC

Garland

Texas

Wylie Community counlseing helps indivduals familes and couples struggleing with mental health and equps them to build lasting realtionships.