COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY COURSE CODE

SCHOOL LOGO
1ST SEMESTER | ACADEMIC YEAR | PROF.

➔​ Whenever we feel bad, one or more of

Reality /Choice Theory these five needs is unsatisfied

★​ William Glasser and Robert E. Wubbolding. ★​ Choice theory is based on the premise that
★​ Reality therapists believe the underlying problem because we are by nature social creatures we
for most clients is the same: they are either need to both receive and give love.
involved in a present unsatisfying relationship or ★​ the need to love and to belong is the primary
lack what could even be called a relationship. need because we need people to satisfy the other
★​ The more clients are able to connect with people, needs. It is also the most difficult need to satisfy
the greater chance they have to experience ★​ Choice theory teaches that we don’t satisfy our
happiness. needs directly but remember actions that make us
★​ Reality therapists recognize that clients choose feel good throughout life.
their behaviors as a way to deal with the ★​ We create a mental "quality world," a personal
frustrations caused by unsatisfying relationships. ideal life filled with specific images of people,
★​ Glasser (2003) maintained that clients should not activities, events, beliefs, possessions, and
be labeled with a diagnosis except when it is situations that satisfy our unique wants and
necessary for insurance purposes. needs.
➔​ He limits the term mental illness to ★​ Picture album is the collection of mental images
conditions s associated with tangible brain within our quality world. It includes detailed
damage such as Alzheimer’s disease, "pictures" of what we want and how we believe
epilepsy, head trauma, and brain infections we can satisfy our needs, guiding our decisions
★​ Choice theory -theoretical basis for reality and actions.
therapy; it explains why and how we function.
★​ Reality therapy- provides a delivery system for
Choice Theory Explanation of Behavior
helping individuals take more effective control
of their lives.
➔​ If choice theory is the highway, reality ★​ Choice theory suggests that everything we do
therapy is the vehicle delivering the product from birth to death is a form of behavior, and
most of it is chosen or driven by our internal
Key Concepts motivations. This theory introduces the concept
of Total behavior, which is made up of four
interconnected components:
View of Emotional Disturbance ○​ Acting (what we physically do).
○​ Thinking (our thoughts and decisions).
★​ Choice theory posits that we are not born blank ○​ Feeling (our emotions).
slates waiting to be externally motivated by forces ○​ Physiology (our physical responses, like
in the world around us. heart rate or tension).
★​ Rather, we are born with five genetically encoded ★​ These components always work together, and
needs that drive us all our lives: each behavior is our best attempt to meet our
○​ survival, or self-preservation needs and desires.
○​ love and belonging ★​ The primary emphasis is on what the client is
○​ power or inner control doing and how the doing component influences
○​ freedom, or independence the other aspects of total behavior.
○​ fun, or enjoyment

COURSE CODE: COURSE TITLE LESSON # 1

 COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY COURSE CODE
SCHOOL LOGO
1ST SEMESTER | ACADEMIC YEAR | PROF.

★​ Behavior is purposeful because it is designed to ★​ Avoid Focusing on Symptoms

close the gap between what we want and what -​ reality therapist spends as little time as
we perceive we are getting. he or she can on the symptoms
★​ From Glasser’s perspective, to speak of being because they will last only as long as
depressed, having a headache, being angry, or they are needed to deal with an
being anxious implies passivity and lack of unsatisfying relationship or the
personal responsibility, and it is inaccurate. frustration of basic needs.
★​ Instead of saying someone is "depressed" or ★​ Challenge Traditional Views of Mental Illness
"angry," he suggests using verbs like "depressing", -​ rejects the traditional notion that people
"angering", or "anxietying" to emphasize that with problematic physical and
these are behaviors we actively engage in, not psychological symptoms are mentally ill.
things that happen to us from the outside. -​ incorporates the Ericksonian principle
★​ We are not victims of our feelings. Instead, we that “people don’t have problems, they
choose these feelings as part of our behavior to have solutions that have not worked.”
get something we want, even if it’s not always the
most helpful or healthy choice.
★​ people do not choose pain and suffering directly;
The Therapeutic Process
rather, it is an unchosen part of their total
behavior. The behavior of the person is the best
effort, ineffective as it is, to satisfy needs. Therapeutic Goals
★​ Robert Wubbolding believes that behavior is a ★​ A primary goal of contemporary reality therapy
language and that we send messages by what we is to help clients get connected or reconnected
are doing. The purpose of behavior is to influence
with the people they have chosen to put in
the world to get what we want.
their quality world.
★​ The basic human needs serve to focus
treatment planning and setting both short- and
Characteristics of Reality Therapy long-term goals. Reality therapists assist clients
★​ Emphasize Choice and Responsibility in making more effective and responsible
-​ see clients as being responsible for choices related to their wants and needs.
their own choices as they have more ★​ Another goal entails working with an increasing
control of their behavior than they number of involuntary clients who may actively
often believe resist the therapist and the therapy process.
-​ deal with people “as if” they have ★​ It is essential for counselors to do whatever
choices. they can to connect with involuntary clients. If
-​ focus on those areas where clients have the counselor is unable to make a connection,
choice, for doing so gets them closer to there is no possibility of providing significant
the people they need. help. If the counselor can make a connection,
★​ Reject Transference the goal of teaching the client how to fulfill his
-​ It is unrealistic for therapists to go or her needs can slowly begin.
along with the idea that they are
anyone but themselves.
★​ Keep the Therapy in the Present

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 COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY COURSE CODE
SCHOOL LOGO
1ST SEMESTER | ACADEMIC YEAR | PROF.

★​ It is also important that the client perceives the

therapist as being skilled and knowledgeable.
Therapist’s Function and Role ★​ For involvement between the therapist and the
★​ Therapy is often seen as a mentoring process, client to occur, the counselor must have certain
with the therapist as the teacher and the client personal qualities, including warmth, sincerity,
as the student. congruence, understanding, acceptance, concern,
★​ teach clients how to engage in self-evaluation, respect for the client, openness, and the
which is done by raising the question, “Is what willingness to be challenged by others.
you are choosing to do getting you what you ★​ For therapeutic interventions to work effectively,
want and need?” a fair, firm, friendly, and trusting environment is
necessary. Once involvement has been
★​ challenges clients to evaluate their own
established, the counselor assists clients in
behaviors, actions, wants, perceptions,
gaining a deeper understanding of the
commitment, and possible new directions,
consequences of their current behavior.
helping them create action plans
★​ Clients decide what to change, create a plan,
and work toward better relationships, increased
Application: Therapeutic Techniques and Procedures
happiness, and greater control over their lives.
★​ the job of therapists to convey the idea that no
matter how bad things are there is hope. The Practice of Reality Therapy
★​ The therapist functions as an advocate, someone ★​ The practice of reality therapy can best be
who is on the client’s side. conceptualized as the cycle of counseling,
which consists of two major components:
○​ (1) creating the counseling
Client’s Experience in Therapy
environment
★​ Clients are not expected to backtrack into the past ○​ (2) implementing specific procedures
or get sidetracked into talking about symptoms. that lead to changes in behavior.
★​ The emphasis is on actions. When clients change
How do these components blend in the counseling
what they are doing, they often change how they
process?
are feeling and thinking.
★​ Reality therapists will gently, but firmly challenge
➔​ The cycle of counseling begins with creating a
clients. They often ask clients questions that are
working relationship with clients and proceeds
part of the self-evaluation process, which is the
through an exploration of clients’ wants, needs,
cornerstone of reality therapy.
★​ Clients are encouraged to see each session as and perceptions.
important, with a sense of urgency to make the ➔​ Clients evaluate their behavior and decide on
most of the time. Time is important, as each changes. They make and commit to plans,
session may be the last. followed by follow-up to track progress and
offer additional support.

Client’s Experience in Therapy ★​ All certified reality therapy counselors are

★​ Reality therapy emphasizes an understanding and grounded in the same principles, but the
supportive relationship, or therapeutic alliance, manner in which these principles are applied
which is the foundation for effective outcomes.

COURSE CODE: COURSE TITLE LESSON # 3

 COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY COURSE CODE
SCHOOL LOGO
1ST SEMESTER | ACADEMIC YEAR | PROF.

varies depending on the counselor’s style and ★​ There are more choices available than clients
personal characteristics. realize, and the therapist explores these possible
★​ With choice theory in the background of choices.
practice, the counselor tailors the counseling to ★​ Wubbolding states that reality therapy helps
what each client presents. clients realize they are not victims, can gain inner
control, and have a range of choices open to
them.
The Counseling Environment ➔​ In short, clients in reality therapy often
★​ The practice of reality therapy rests on the acquire a sense of hope for a better
assumption that a supportive and challenging future.
environment allows clients to begin making life ★​ Reality therapists help clients identify needs,
changes. discover their quality world, and recognize their
★​ The therapeutic relationship is crucial for role in choosing behaviors, guiding them to make
effective practice; without it, the therapy is better choices and build successful relationships.
unlikely to succeed.
★​ Counselors avoid negative behaviors arguing,
attacking, accusing, demeaning, blaming, The “WDEP” System
bossing, criticizing, finding fault, instilling fear, ★​ The WDEP system can be used to help clients
or giving up easily explore their wants, possible things they can do,
★​ Clients typically respond positively to the opportunities for self-evaluation, and design
caring, noncoercive environment, where they plans for improvement
feel free to explore and try new behaviors. ★​ Grounded in choice theory, the WDEP system
assists people in satisfying their basic needs
★​ Each of the letters refers to a cluster of strategies:
Procedures That Lead to Change
○​ W = wants, needs, and perceptions;
★​ Reality therapists operate on the assumption that ○​ D = direction and doing
we are motivated to change ○​ E = self-evaluation
○​ (1) when we are convinced that our ○​ P = planning
present behavior is not meeting our
needs
○​ (2) when we believe we can choose other Wants (Exploring Wants, Needs, and Perceptions)
behaviors that will get us closer to what
★​ Reality therapists assist clients in discovering their
we want
wants and hopes.All wants are related to the five
★​ Reality therapists begin by asking clients what
basic needs
they want from therapy —They make the therapy
★​ Through the therapist’s skillful questioning, clients
process clear and understandable. They also ask
are assisted in defining what they want from the
about the choices clients are making in their
counseling process and from the world around
relationships.
them.
★​ When clients begin to realize that they can control
★​ Part of counseling consists of exploring the
only their own behavior, therapy is under way.
“picture album,” or quality world,and how their
The rest of therapy focuses on how clients can
behavior seeks to align the external world with
make better choices.
their inner wants.

COURSE CODE: COURSE TITLE LESSON # 4

 COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY COURSE CODE
SCHOOL LOGO
1ST SEMESTER | ACADEMIC YEAR | PROF.

★​ questions focused on perceptions is an art for Planning and Action

counselors to know what questions to ask, how to
★​ The counseling process focuses on helping clients
ask them, and when to ask them.
identify ways to fulfill their wants and needs, once
their wants id determined they explore
Direction and Doing
alternatives, and create an action plan for change.
★​ The focus on the present is characterized by the ★​ The process of creating and carrying out plans
key question asked by the reality therapist: “What enables people to begin to gain effective control
are you doing?” over their lives.
★​ Even though problems may be rooted in the past, ★​ The plan gives the client a starting point, but plans
clients need to learn how to deal with them in the can be modified as needed.
present. ★​ Not only are plans discussed in light of how they
★​ Early in counseling it is essential to discuss with can help the client personally, but plans are also
clients the overall direction of their lives, including designed in terms of how they are likely to affect
where they are going and where their behavior is others in the client’s life.
taking them ★​ Wubbolding uses the acronym SAMIC to capture
★​ It is easier to change what we are doing and the essence of a good plan:
thinking than to change our feelings. ○​ simple
★​ In choice theory, discussing feelings without ○​ attainable
linking them to actions and thoughts is ○​ Measurable, Immediate
counterproductive ○​ Involved
○​ controlled by the planner, committed
Self-Evaluation to, and consistently done.
★​ cornerstone of reality therapy procedures. ★​ Wubbolding maintains that it is important for a
★​ “Conducting a searching and fearless therapist to ask about clients’ level of
self-evaluation is the royal road to behavioral commitment, or how much they are willing to
change” work to bring about change.
★​ The counselor can help clients evaluate their ★​
behavior by asking this question: “Is your current
behavior bringing you closer to people important
to you or is it driving you further apart?”
➔​ Through skillful questioning, the
counselor helps clients determine if what
they are doing is helping them.
★​ It is the counselor’s task to assist clients in
evaluating the quality of their actions and to help
them make responsible choices and devise
effective plans.
★​ The process of evaluation of the doing, thinking,
feeling, and physiological components of total
behavior is within the scope of the client’s
responsibility.
★​ Without an honest self-assessment, it is unlikely
that clients will change.

COURSE CODE: COURSE TITLE LESSON # 5

 COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY: COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR THERAPY COURSE CODE
SCHOOL LOGO
1ST SEMESTER | ACADEMIC YEAR | PROF.

COURSE CODE: COURSE TITLE LESSON # 6