William Glasser's Choice Theory Paper

William Glasser, a native of Cleveland, Ohio and the founder of reality therapy, broke away from the mainstream of psychoanalysis, rebelling against concepts of Freud, which was not very popular at the time (Henderson & Thompson, 2016). His rebellious thoughts occurred at the University of California and the Veterans Administration hospital where he was practicing psychoanalysis. He chose to leave and start developing his choice theory reality therapy while working at Ventura School for girls as head psychiatrist, where he treated them with respect, kindness, and gave lots of praise (Henderson & Thompson, 2016). During his 12 years there, he implemented a successful program based on principles he would soon coin as choice theory reality therapy
Choice theory is the main content of what reality therapists practice and believe, but reality therapy is how it is delivered or its vehicle (Henderson & Thompson, 2016). Ultimately, choice theory, which was originally named control theory, possess the main idea that actions taken as a result of those feelings are only controlled by the person and not external events (Bradley, 2014). People can more easily control their thinking and actions versus their feelings and physiology (Lujan, 2015). Glasser believed and based his theory off of the two basic needs of humans: love and acceptance (Bradley, 2014). Key concepts of his choice theory are the following: 1) the only behavior someone can control is their own, 2) information is the only thing we can get from or give to other people, 3) all long lasting psychological problems are relationship problems, 4) trying to revise painful past experiences will provide little or no help on figuring out what to do now-improve an important, present relationship, 5) people are drive by survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun, 6) people can only satisfy their needs by satisfying a picture or pictures in their quality worlds, 7) from birth to death, all people do is behave, which is comprised of acting, thinking, feeling, and physiology, 8) all total behavior is designated by verbs and named by the component that is most recognizable, and 9) all
3). Techniques reality therapists use is based on the WDEP system: wants, direction and doing, evaluating, and plans by the client (Henderson & Thompson, 2016; Wubbolding, 2007). Changing questions to statements for the purpose of client ownership of ideas and the client’s ownership of the direction of the counseling process is a primary focus (Henderson & Thompson, 2016). The purpose of this is to help clients take charge of their lives inside and outside the counseling office (Henderson & Thompson,