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

Thomas Edward Beckham

Louisville

Kentucky

Having practiced and taught in multiple areas of behavioral health for more than 30 years I believe the ideal client is any client willing to get to the root of the problem and put forth the effort necessary for their health and betterment. Psychotherapy is a joint effort between both client and practitioner and I believe by working together any disorder can be managed or overcome. My practice...
I'm a clinical psychologist in Plant City. I work with individuals, couples, and families dealing with a variety of emotional and behavioral challenges, including depression, anxiety, stress, marriage conflict, parent-child difficulties, and "Where is my life headed?" sorts of issues. So in the world of mental health clinicians, I'm a sort of "primary care" psychologist, treating all sorts of...
Life is a funny thing. And often terribly complicated. During our journey in this world, we often face challenges that can feel too big or ongoing. Whether it’s with chronic feelings of anxiousness, depression, emptiness, issues about sexual orientation, gender, or ethnicity, relationship conflict, sleep disturbances, substance misuse, school or work issues, or any combination of those, many of...
Searching for a counselor is a very intimate and vulnerable activity. Seeking help with relationship? Seeking help with managing anxiety? Seeking help with a history of trauma? Have you tried counseling before and it has not gone well? Have you thought about counseling before and never taken that step to make and attend an appointment? Attend counseling to help your healing journey move forward...
Struggling in areas of your life? I can help! Therapy should be a process that feels safe, completely confidential, and unique to each person. My breadth of life experience includes working extensively with at risk and incarcerated adolescents and teens. Those having difficulty navigating unwelcome life-changes at any age - child through elderly, including relationships, addictions, and living...
Sometimes life throws us a curve ball, but it is what you choose to do with the ball that makes a difference in your future. We are here to help you deal with those curve balls by making choices that impact your life for positive change, growth, and development. Plan to make the first step toward becoming mentally healthy. I am here to help. Mood swings, grief, relationship problems, age and st...
Tiffany L. Sullivan, LPC, RPT, NCC, CPCS, Psychotherapist -- I currently hold a Bachelor's of Science in Human Services and a Master's of Science in Community Counseling from Mercer University. I am also credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS). I have over...
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself," George Bernard Shaw. I provide a safe, supportive and encouraging environment to help you tackle life's challenges. I have worked with individuals battling addiction, navigating life transitions, and coping with trauma. I enjoy helping individuals confronting addiction, addressing LGBT issues and sexual identity questions, and...
I am a licensed therapist of 30+ years, treating such issues as: (pre-)marital, parent/child, same sex relationships, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, bereavement, stress management. My therapy approach is cognitive behavioral, believing we sometimes get into habits that leave us feeling victimized by the circumstances of our lives. I will work to build you a new "tool box" of skills that...

Monique Johnson

Birmingham

Alabama

Ms. Johnson is dedicated to working with individuals and families with a holistic approach. She is a firm believer that every individual has the ability to live their best life with the right tools and is driven to assure they are provided with the highest level of service to live their best life. Ms. Johnson is committed to the wellness of individuals, families, and the community through...

Yvonne Lewis

Tulsa

Oklahoma

**No openings** In 2014, I felt Christ tugging at my heart to leave TV news. This is where I landed!. Counseling! Looking back, it was always hard for me to tell someone's story then move on to the next one. Counseling allows me to STAY with my clients during tough times. They are free to be themselves without judgment. People are surprised how easy it is to talk to me and how comfortable they...
Acting like everything is okay but secretly falling apart? Need change? I can help. I work with women and men ages 18 & up. My specialties include anxiety, depression, gaslighting, divorce recovery, chronic illness, & hormonal imbalance. Our sessions would be online only. I can see you whenever and wherever you are in Texas. Contact me today! I am available for supervision of motivated LPCI's...

Yolanda Gonzalez

Miami

Florida

( English | español ) After more than decade in the mental health field, first as a student and now as a practitioner, I have found that those with a genuine desire for mental health services sometimes simply don't have the time to receive them. More worrisome still, those that mourn deeply or suffer from depression tend to lack the very motivation necessary to physically seek out services. My...

Your Center

Wilmington

Delaware

Each individual goes through different milestones in life that encompasses expected and unexpected challenges. These challenges maybe difficult to handle without the appropriate support. My focus is to assist my clients through these challenges by providing a caring and empowering environment that will activate their healing process and create a successful outcome. My greatest challenge is the...

Mary Bright

Tampa

Florida

As a somatic psychotherapist with 30 years experience, I work with people of all ages who struggle with depression, anxiety, relationship problems, muscle tension, body aches or all of the above. I teach people how to get their needs met in their relationships. This greatly reduces depression and anxiety. I utilize a variety of techniques to use the mind to heal the body and the body to heal th...