Empowering Change Through Choice Theory Therapy
Choice Theory and Reality Therapy
Choice Theory was developed by Dr. William Glasser, who emphasized that individuals are responsible for their behavior and that all behavior is driven by internal choices to meet basic needs, including survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun (Mousavi et al., 2023). According to Mousavi et al. (2023), reality therapy, based on choice theory, focuses on helping clients make better choices to satisfy these needs effectively. It avoids dwelling on past issues or symptoms and instead promotes present-focused, actionable solutions (Mousavi et al., 2023).
The theoretical underpinning of reality therapy is that individuals have control over their behavior but not others (Mousavi et al., 2023). It emphasizes personal responsibility, relationships, and purposeful behavior (Mousavi et al., 2023). Reality Therapy involves stages, including establishing a relationship, evaluating current behavior, exploring wants, planning, committing to the plan, and avoiding excuses or punishment (Freeman et al., 2022).
Empowering Change Through Choice Theory Therapy
Total Behavior and Social Action
Total behavior in Choice Theory refers to four interconnected components: acting, thinking, feeling, and physiology (Freeman et al., 2022). Glasser asserted that while individuals have direct control over their actions and thoughts, they can indirectly influence feelings and physiology (Freeman et al., 2022). Clinically, this highlights the importance of changing actions and thoughts to produce emotional and physical change (Freeman et al., 2022). Social action in therapy empowers clients to address societal injustices, promoting social change and self-advocacy (Freeman et al., 2022).
Feminist and Multicultural Therapy
Feminist theory is applicable to group work as it encourages equality, shared leadership, and the validation of personal experiences, fostering a supportive environment (Mousavi et al., 2023). Both feminist and multicultural therapies prioritize social justice, cultural competence, and empowerment, recognizing that personal issues are influenced by systemic factors (Mousavi et al., 2023). Their shared emphasis on diversity and inclusivity demonstrates a clear relationship, making both relevant in today’s therapeutic practices (Mousavi et al., 2023) .APA