Reality Therapy Basic Beliefs

Emphasis is on responsibility

Therapist’s function is to keep therapy focused on the present

We often mistakenly choose misery in our best attempt to meet our needs

We act responsibly when we meet our needs without keeping others from meeting their needs

Basic Needs

All internally motivated behavior is geared toward meeting one or more of our basic human needs

Belonging

Power

Freedom

Fun

Survival (Physiological needs)

Our brain functions as a control system to get us what we want

Procedures That Lead to Change:
The "WDEP" System

W Wants:

What do you want to be and do?

Your "picture album"

D Doing and Direction:

What are you doing?

Where do you want to go?

E Evaluation:

Does your present behavior have a reasonable chance

of getting you what you want?

P Planning – "SAMIC"

Planning For Change

S Simple: Easy to understand, specific and concrete

A Attainable: Within the capacities and motivation of the client

M Measurable: Are the changes observable and helpful?

I Immediate & Involved: What can be done today? What can you do?

C Controlled: Can you do this by yourself or will you be dependent on
others?

Total Behavior
Our Best Attempt to Satisfy Our Needs

DOING ~ active behaviors

THINKING ~ thoughts, self-statements

FEELINGS ~ anger, joy, pain, anxiety

PHYSIOLOGY ~ bodily reactions