It is important to note that choice theory and reality therapy are highly interconnected since the latter are used on the basis of the former, which means that they complement each other. The choice theory was primarily developed by Dr. William Glasser, where he formulated that there are five fundamental needs of every human being, which are love/belonging, power, fun, freedom, and survival. It is stated that the first need, love, and belonging, is the most desired and critical one for the majority of human beings, despite all of the needs being nonetheless important (“Choice theory/reality therapy,” 2021). The core idea of the choice theory is manifested in the fact that an individual is only controlled by himself or herself, which means that power lies within a person, and no external factors can take that power or choice from someone. In other words, all problems are due to a person’s internal factors only, whereas external influences are mere challenges, which can be navigated through or handled. Such a concept ensures that a person cannot blame circumstances or feel powerless to change the current problems.
In the case of reality therapy, the emphasis is put on the present issues, and the past is considered as irrelevant. The therapy itself is highly similar to cognitive behavior therapy because it is action and solution-driven. The key accentuation needs to be put on the overall development of a solid internal locus of control of oneself, where an individual is the only agent that makes decisions to control his or her own behavior and change the surrounding according to his or her needs or adapt to it. Reality therapy’s three major Rs are right-and-wrong, responsibility, and realism.
Reference
Choice theory/reality therapy. (2021). Web.