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
I am currently accepting new clients. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience in working with individuals, youth, and families. I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and am trained in Functional Family Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. I believe in and practice from a strength based, solution focused approach. I have worked with dive...
Do you experience hopelessness, feeling that your circumstances will never get better? Do you feel sad and down, longing to experience joy and happiness? Do you feel stressed and overwhelmed, longing for the day to find emotional relief? Have you experienced a traumatic life event, and feel stuck, unable to move forward in your life? Born number seven of eight children, to parents committed to...
Are you feeling overwhelmed, tired, depressed, or find yourself needing support to move towards making new changes in your life? If so, I am here to assist you. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor providing services to all age groups with a focus on adolescents, teens, college students, and young adults who are looking for relief from difficulties such as depression, anxiety, working throug...
VIDEO THERAPY 7 DAYS/WEEK! The first steps to getting help, whether it’s making life changes or healing from pain can be difficult, and I am here to help guide you through difficult times from the comfort of your own home through telehealth technology. Stressed? Crack open your laptop or click your Smart Phone and LET'S CHAT! Emotional problems manifest when you fail to confidently and honestly...
Sharon Benekohal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She is a 30-year resident of Champaign-Urbana. Sharon has been a social worker for 17+ years and has a dual specialization in mental health and the schools. Sharon believes the counseling relationship offers support, promotes self-development and guides ...
I am an MFT therapist and have been in practice for 28 years. Helping people is my passion! I genuinely enjoy facilitating change within my clients towards better habits in coping with all of life's various obstacles. I have experience with children and adolescents as well as adults and seniors. My method for helping people is safe, collaborative, and non-judgmental. I believe in empowering my...
Over the past few years depression and anxiety have been on the rise and our teens are more defiant and resistant. Stress causes a shift in our beliefs to make us think we are something we are not. Thinking errors create a false representation of ourselves. Over the past 20 years I have provided support and assistance to people of all ages to provide tools to change their negative thought proce...
Experiencing sadness, anxiety, confusion, overwhelming guilt, or anger? Feeling UNAPPRECIATED, unheard, unloved, or unseen? Constantly doing FOR OTHERS and saying yes to ALL THE THINGS? Having difficulties asking others for what you need? Always PEOPLE PLEASING or having other RELATIONSHIP STRESS? TALKING CAN HELP! TALKING, AKA COUNSELING, helps you understand why you do the things you do, why ...
Everybody could use some help every once in awhile. Whether it be recovering from a traumatic event, managing anxiety in the fast-paced world we live, to adjusting to a significant life event such as divorce, a loss of a loved one, or the pressures of school or work. Everybody experiences times in which they felt alone and dissatisfied with how their life is. Making changes, even good changes, ...
Do you feel a lack of purpose? Are you not living in sync with your values? Do you feel a disconnect between the person you are vs. the person you hoped you’d become? I support my clientele toward incremental changes aligned with each person’s individual values, hopes and therapeutic needs. This may include: identifying faulty thought patterns and adopting a more evidence based perspective,...
Thank you for taking the time to consider me as your therapist. I find it the highest form of praise when a client sits down in my office for the first time, and says, “My friend/neighbor/coworker gave me your card…” I invite you to peruse my website and ask me any questions you might have. By the way, I do provide telehealth and in-person sessions. I work with a wide variety of problems such a...
Life comes at us in waves or cycles. They can knock us off our feet and, as a result, often feel insurmountable. In my practice, you will find that we quickly build a collaborative relationship based on trust, respect and empathy so that you may begin to realize your true self. We will work together to interpret, make meaning of, and gain insight into your feelings and the purpose of your...
It takes courage and strength to reach out and seek a new perspective, and sharing our stories of personal trauma can lead to improved sense of well-being. The simple act of doing so can empower you to take the next step toward change and healing for you and your loved ones. An immediate sense of change is possible by merely taking the first step toward a new, healing relationship. I collaborat...
Hi there. I have over 25 years of experience working in the mental health field in various clinical settings. I have been in private practice for the last 14 years and enjoy working with my clients to help them achieve their personal goals. Life can be stressful for so many reasons. I believe that it is a strength to seek therapy. We all deserve to live our best lives and find happiness and...
I have a general psychotherapy practice working with adults. I have extensive experience in education and mental health spanning three decades. I work with people dealing with relationship issues, depression and anxiety, grief, and family and childhood issues, among other things. I use a variety of techniques that are solution focused. Stress Management and Relaxation techniques are an integral...
