Choice Theory
Figurehead & Roots

William Glasser - click the link for info on the William
Glasser Institute and trainings
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Theory Development

Control Theory
 Reality Therapy--1965
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Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry
Choice Theory--1990s
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Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom
Counseling with Choice Theory: The New Reality Therapy
(2001)
Major Premise

People are responsible for their own
choices, decisions, goals, and the general
degree of happiness in their lives.
 An
internal control psychology, it explains why
and how we make the choices that determine
the course of our lives.
 Click on the link to watch a clip of Dr. Glasser
talking about Choice Theory
CT and Human Nature
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Phenomenological
People have freedom to
make choices
People must take
responsibility for choices
Behavior should be
considered in its totality
The capacity to change is
in ourselves (we are only
victims if we choose to be)
Key concepts of CT:
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All we ever do is behave (good or bad)
We are externally motivated by the world around
us.
If we are sad, unhappy, or depressed, it is because
we choose to feel and behave that way.
We are not victims of our past unless we choose to
be.
We are constantly seeking to live in our “quality
world.”
Click on the link to watch a clip of a Choice
Theory session (not a great session, but a session!)
Choice Theory Basic Concepts

Quality World (People, Things, and Beliefs)
 Relationships
 Existing
 Desired
 Material
Goods
 Systems of Belief
 Religious
 Political
 Personal
Choice Theory Basic Concepts

Total Behavior
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Acting
Thinking
Feeling
Physiology
We can control acting and thinking.
Feeling and physiology will follow.
We choose our behaviors.
The only behavior an individual can control is
his or her own.
Choice Theory Basic Concepts

The Language of Choice Theory
 Headaching
 Angering
 Depressing
 Restrains
– most common choice
anger of frustrating relationships
 Asking for help without begging
 Avoidance of responsibility through self-chosen
mental illness
Choice Theory Basic Concepts

Control/Choice Theory – Five Needs:

Survival (Work)
 Love and Belonging
 Power (Self-Determination or Autonomy)
 Freedom
 Fun (Leisure)
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When these needs are not met…
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Psychological problems result
When an individual is unable to fulfill a basic need, he
or she will often choose a symptom behavior as a way
to cope.
Basic Concepts of Choice
Theory: 10 Axioms
1.
The only person whose behavior we can
control is our own.

2.
3.
External Control—When individuals try to
control others, it is at the expense of an
effective working relationship.
All we can get from other people is
information. How we deal with that
information is our choice or their choice.
All long-lasting psychological problems
are relationship problems.
Axioms of Choice Theory (cont.)
4.
5.
6.
The problem relationship is always part of
our present lives.
What happened in the past that was
painful has a great deal to do with what
we are today, but revisiting this painful
past contributes little, if anything to what
we need to do now --- improve an
important relationship.
We are driven by genetic needs.
Axioms of Choice Theory (cont.)
10. All total behavior is chosen but we have
direct control over only the acting and
thinking components. We can, however,
control our feelings and physiology
indirectly through how we choose to think
and act.
Therapeutic Frame of
Reference

Focus is on the present
 Avoid discussing the past because most
human difficulties are believed to be rooted
in current relationship problems.
Role of Therapist
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Responsible for establishing a counseling
environment in which client can embrace change.
Work as a collaborator with the client
Help the client to understand how she/he is doing
Role expectation—must define who you are as a
counselor
Very conversational & interactive

This can lead to boundary issues if counselor does not
adhere to strict professional conduct—onus of
responsibility lies with counselor
Effective therapists:
Qualities:
 Congruence
 Energy
 Empathy
 Having a positive view
of human nature
 Belief in the potential
for change
Characteristics:
 Ability to reframe
 Ability to communicate
hope
 Ability to define a problem
in solvable terms
 Ability to use metaphors
 Being ethical
 Being culturally sensitive
Therapeutic Objective

To help an individual to determine whether his or
her current actions and decisions will lead them to
the goals or success he or she wants for himself or
herself.
 Teaching process—Seeks to teach clients better
ways to meet their needs.
 To help clients understand & take responsibility
for the choices they make.
 To help clients strengthen their relationships
through personal change in a safe environment.
Function of Symptoms

Symptoms and complaints are viewed as
creative ways individuals choose to deal
with current relationship problems.
External Control

“coercing, controlling, relationship-
destroying psychology (used when) having
difficulty getting along with someone else”
(Glasser, 2003)
 1st False Belief – We are made to behave.
 2nd False Belief – You can control someone.
 3rd False Belief – We know what’s right for
all.
Seven Deadly Habits of
External Control
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Criticizing – most deadly
Blaming
Complaining
Nagging
Threatening
Punishing
Rewarding to control
Alternatives to the
Seven Deadly Habits
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Supporting
Encouraging
Listening
Accepting
Trusting
Respecting
Negotiating Differences
Key Concepts in Change
Process
Present orientation: we
are not controlled by
past history, just the
present
Emphasis on choice:
Behavior is a result of
choices and
counselors help
present choices to
client.
Control of Action:
We help a client change
actions so that they
will change behaviors
Importance of
Connection: Establish
an empathic, genuine
relationship with
others
Process & Techniques
1.
Begin by developing a supportive environment
1.
2.
What do you want?
1.
2.
3.
Define what they want to get from you & counseling
relationship.
What do they want for themselves
What are you doing to get it?
1.
4.
NEVER take for granted that your client is
comfortable
Define present behaviors that are getting client where
they hope to be—or are they?
Is it working?
Process and Techniques, cont
5.
How can you change what you are doing to be
more effective at getting what you want?
1.
6.
What could the client do differently to increase the
probability that he or she will get what he or she wants?
Develop a plan
1.
2.
First goal should be easily achievable
Counselor must help client to understand how he or she
is progressing/doing.
Make a commitment/plan/agreement about how
to change
8. Follow-up
7.
1.
2.
Evaluate progress towards goals
Reevaluate plan & change as needed
The WDEP system
(Wubbolding, 1985)
Wants:

Discussing wants, needs and perceptions
 Sharing wants and perceptions (disclose)
 Commitment to Counseling (5 levels):
1.
2.
3.
4.
“I don’t want to be here.”
“I want the outcome but not the effort.”
“I’ll try; I might.”
“I will do my best.”
5. “I will do whatever it takes.”
WDEP System (cont.)
D = Discussing
Behavioral Direction
and Doing (Total
Behavior)
WHAT ARE YOU
DOING?
WDEP System:
E = Evaluation

Evaluation of
behavioral direction
 Evaluation of specific
actions
 Evaluation of wants

Evaluation of
perceptions or
viewpoints
 Evaluation of new
direction
 Evaluation of plans
WDEP System:
P=Planning(SAMI C)

Simple: The plan is uncomplicated
 Attainable: Should be realistic
 Measurable: Precise and exact
 Immediate: Carried out as soon as possible
 Involved: Counselor involved as much as appropriate
 Controlled by the client
 Committed to: counselor helps client pledge to put plan
into action
 Consistent: Plan is repetitious
PERSISTENCE IS THE COMMON DENOMINATOR!
DON’T GIVE UP!!
Questions for Sessions
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For client:
 Will
what I’m about to do bring me closer to
these people (people in your quality world) or
move us further apart?
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For therapist:
 Are
we on track?
 How is it coming along?
Contributions of
Glasser’s Work

Short-term focus
 Deals with conscious behavioral problems
 Client responsible for self-evaluation as
well as commitment; pressure off
counselor!
 Change is measurable and overt
 Counselor is encouraging and empathetic;
confrontive, yet gentle
Research and RT

In 1993, more than 400 persons worldwide
completed the 18-month training program
and were certified in RT.
 Research has not been a major focus
because Glasser has focused on
implementing RT in human service and
educational institutions
Research (cont.)

There is evidence that RT has been used
effectively with a wide variety of issues:
eating disorders, child abuse, marriage
issues, aging, elective mutism, career
satisfaction, study habits, self-esteem,
assertive behavior, etc.
Limitations

Not useful for clients
who want to gain
insight into past or
early life conflicts
 Counselor should
have some training
prior to using RT
 Easy to understand,
harder to practice
Corey’s concerns (worth
consideration):

Lack of consideration for unconscious (dreams,
etc.)
 Denying transference seems “narrow”
 Too simplistic to argue that all mental illness
(except brain pathology)is the result of an
individual’s unsatisfying relationships; adds
guilt to people who are already struggling with
coping
 The “evaluation” component puts the counselor
in the role of expert; may impose values----what
is “responsible” behavior?
Gender Issues

Both men and women can learn they have power
over their own lives (may be more of an issue for
women)
 Emphasis on holding people responsible for their
behavior ignores historical and social
discrimination
 Glasser’s work to improve school systems was
not gender biased; considered the unique wants
& needs of boys and girls
 May be more appropriate for men
Multicultural Issues
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Criticism: Does not take into account
environmental forces such as discrimination and
racism that affect people from different cultures;
also is not sensitive to sexual orientation.
 Compliment: Reality therapists typically respect
individual cultural differences and include
cultural considerations as a component of the
“plan”
 Reality therapy has been used with a wide variety
of cultures and has been applicable world-wide.
The Bottom Line……CT asks:
 What is it that you want?
 Is your behavior getting you
what you want?
 If not, what are you willing
to do to change it?
 Goal is to get what you
want: improved
relationships and enhanced
living.