PSY-315: Reality Therapy - Part I (CC)

Summary

In this insightful script, reality therapy is explored through a session with Todd, a retired military man experiencing mild depression. The therapy focuses on identifying his needs for love, belonging, and freedom, and how his past behaviors have shaped his current reality. Using the WDEP model, the counselor, Dr. Sylinda Gilchrist, helps Todd evaluate his current actions and envision a plan for change that includes seeking social support without obligations, aiming to improve his quality of life.

Takeaways

• 🧠 Reality therapy posits that every behavior is an attempt to meet five inborn needs: love and belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival.
• 🤔 Dysfunctional behaviors can arise when individuals try to meet these needs inappropriately, affecting their perception of reality.
• 🌟 Choice theory is a concept in reality therapy that suggests clients create their reality through the behaviors they choose.
• 👤 The WDEP model is a framework used in reality therapy counseling, involving Wanting, Doing, Evaluating, and Planning for change.
• 🗣️ W stands for 'What', asking clients what they want to create a quality world or success identity.
• 🏃‍♂️ D is for 'Doing', where the counselor inquires about the client's current choices and behaviors to achieve their desired world.
• 🔍 E signifies 'Evaluating', helping clients assess their actions and identify more effective behaviors for a better life.
• 📝 P is for 'Planning', where a plan for change is developed in the therapeutic process.
• 🤝 The therapeutic process emphasizes creating a trusting environment and working collaboratively with clients as equal partners.
• 🎭 The role play demonstrates a session with Todd, a retired military man experiencing mild depression due to life transitions and a lack of social support.
• 🔄 Todd's struggle with depression is linked to his transition from a structured military life to a more isolated civilian life, highlighting the importance of social connections and support systems.

Q & A

What are the five inborn needs identified by reality therapy?

The five inborn needs identified by reality therapy are love and belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival.

How does reality therapy suggest people create their reality?

Reality therapy suggests that people create their reality through the behaviors they choose, which are often attempts to meet their inborn needs.

What is the WDEP model in reality therapy?

The WDEP model in reality therapy stands for Wants (what the client desires for a quality world), Doing (the behaviors the client is currently exhibiting), Evaluation (assessing the effectiveness of these behaviors), and Planning (developing a plan for change).

Why might a CEO become depressed according to reality therapy?

A CEO might become depressed if they have focused excessively on fulfilling their need for power while neglecting other needs like love and belonging, leading to an imbalance in their quality of life.

What is the role of a therapist in reality therapy?

In reality therapy, the therapist's role is to create a trusting environment, work collaboratively with the client as equal partners, and help the client explore and choose new behaviors to meet their needs effectively.

What issues is Todd facing after retiring from the military?

Todd is facing issues related to feeling unmotivated, overwhelmed, and disconnected after retiring from the military. He has lost the support system and responsibilities he had while serving, and now struggles with his role as a single parent and student.

Why does Todd feel he has become a 'cave dweller'?

Todd feels he has become a 'cave dweller' because he has isolated himself, losing contact with his former military friends and support system, and now primarily interacts only with his 11-year-old son.

What type of social interaction does Todd believe would improve his well-being?

Todd believes that more interactions with adults, similar to the camaraderie he had in the military, would improve his well-being. He misses the support and connection he had with others.

What concerns does Todd have about joining social groups or activities?

Todd is concerned about the obligation and commitment that come with joining social groups or activities. He fears feeling guilty if he cannot meet these obligations and wants the freedom to opt out when necessary.

How does Sylinda Gilchrist suggest helping Todd reconnect socially?

Sylinda Gilchrist suggests finding activities that allow Todd to interact with other adults without time restraints or obligations, helping him expand his social circle while respecting his need for flexibility.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 Exploring the Impact of Retirement and Need for Social Connection

In this paragraph, Todd, a retired military man and single parent, discusses his feelings of mild depression and lack of motivation following his retirement. He attributes his emotional state to the loss of the structured environment and support system he had in the military. The conversation with Doctor Sylinda Gilchrist delves into Todd's realization that his previous life provided a sense of purpose and belonging, which he now misses. The focus is on understanding the root of Todd's feelings, his struggle with the transition to civilian life, and the importance of social connections and responsibilities.

05:04

🤝 Seeking Camaraderie Without Obligation

This paragraph continues the discussion with Todd, who is looking for a way to regain a sense of camaraderie and social interaction that he lost after leaving the military. He expresses a desire to be part of a group without the feeling of obligation that he associates with his past military duties. Todd is apprehensive about commitments that might interfere with his responsibilities as a full-time parent and student. The dialogue with Sylinda Gilchrist aims to identify activities that can provide Todd with the adult interaction he craves without the stress of obligations, striking a balance between social engagement and personal freedom.

Keywords

💡Reality therapy

Reality therapy is a psychological approach that suggests individuals exhibit behaviors in an attempt to meet five inborn needs: love and belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival. It posits that dysfunctional behaviors can develop as a means to fulfill these needs, which in turn shapes one's perception of reality. In the video, Todd, a retired military man, might be experiencing depression due to a shift in his behaviors and needs post-retirement, highlighting the concept's relevance to his situation.

💡Dysfunctional behaviors

Dysfunctional behaviors refer to patterns of action that, while intended to meet one's needs, are counterproductive and can lead to negative outcomes. In the context of the video, the term is used to describe behaviors that have become problematic for individuals, such as Todd, who may have developed certain behaviors to meet his need for power at work, neglecting other needs like love and belonging.

💡Quality world

A 'quality world' in reality therapy is the subjective ideal state that clients aspire to achieve, which is influenced by their behaviors and choices. It represents the client's perception of a fulfilling and successful life. Todd mentions feeling 'overwhelmed' and 'not motivated,' indicating a disconnect from his quality world post-retirement.

💡Choice theory

Choice theory is the idea that individuals create their reality through the choices they make in their behaviors. It is a central concept in reality therapy, emphasizing personal responsibility for one's life circumstances. The script mentions that reality therapists believe clients can learn how their choices lead to their current reality, as seen in Todd's reflections on his life after retirement.

💡WDEP model

The WDEP model is a framework used in reality therapy to guide the counseling process. 'W' stands for 'Wanting,' focusing on what the client desires; 'D' for 'Doing,' examining current behaviors; 'E' for 'Evaluating,' assessing the effectiveness of behaviors; and 'P' for 'Planning,' creating a strategy for change. The model is exemplified in the script through the therapist's interaction with Todd, aiming to help him identify and change behaviors to achieve his quality world.

💡Camaraderie

Camaraderie refers to the friendly, supportive relationships among a group of people, often associated with a sense of belonging. Todd expresses a desire for camaraderie outside of the military, indicating that he misses the social connections and support system he had during his service, which is a key aspect of his search for a new quality world.

💡Support system

A support system consists of relationships and resources that provide emotional, practical, and informational help to an individual. In the video, Todd acknowledges the loss of his military support system and expresses a need to rebuild it in his civilian life to address his feelings of isolation and depression.

💡Mild depression

Mild depression is a state of low mood that does not significantly impair daily functioning but can affect a person's well-being and motivation. Todd describes feeling 'down,' 'overwhelmed,' and 'not motivated,' which are indicative of mild depression, and is seeking help to address these feelings.

💡Life transitions

Life transitions refer to significant changes or events that can prompt personal growth or adjustment, such as retirement, which can affect an individual's identity and social roles. Todd's retirement from the military and the subsequent changes in his life are central to the video's narrative, as they lead to his feelings of depression and loss of motivation.

💡Single parent

A single parent is someone who is solely responsible for raising a child or children without a co-parent in the household. Todd identifies as a single parent, which adds to his sense of responsibility and isolation, as he navigates his new life without the support structures he had in the military.

💡Adult interaction

Adult interaction involves social engagement with peers, which is essential for emotional well-being and a sense of community. Todd expresses a desire for more adult interaction, indicating that he feels disconnected and is seeking ways to improve his social life and mental health.

Highlights

Reality therapy is based on the idea that all behavior is an attempt to meet five inborn needs: love and belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival.

Dysfunctional behaviors can develop as individuals try to meet their needs, which then shape their perception of reality.

The WDEP model is used in reality therapy to guide the counseling process, focusing on Wants, Doing, Evaluating, and Planning for change.

Clients are encouraged to create a 'quality world' or a success identity through their choices and behaviors.

The counseling process involves creating a trusting environment and working collaboratively with clients.

Todd, a 42-year-old male, is struggling with mild depression related to work and life transitions after retiring from the military.

Todd feels a loss of motivation and connection after retiring, missing the structure and responsibilities of military life.

As a single parent, Todd's focus has shifted to his son and school, leaving him feeling overwhelmed and without a support system.

Todd's depression may be linked to the loss of his military support group and the change in his daily routine and responsibilities.

Todd acknowledges a desire for more adult interaction and a sense of camaraderie to improve his mood and connection.

Todd expresses apprehension about obligations and a preference for social activities without strict commitments.

The importance of finding a balance between social interaction and personal freedom is highlighted in Todd's situation.

Todd's experience illustrates the challenge of transitioning from a structured environment like the military to civilian life.

The role of support systems in mental health and the need for social connections after significant life changes are emphasized.

Counseling aims to help Todd identify new behaviors and activities that can meet his needs for connection without obligations.

The therapeutic process is about empowering clients to make choices that lead to a more fulfilling and connected life.

The case of Todd demonstrates the application of reality therapy and choice theory in addressing depression and life transitions.

Transcripts

TIM SEIBLES: Reality therapy postulates

that there are five inborn needs, love and belonging,

power, freedom, fun, and survival,

and proposes that every behavior we exhibit is an attempt

to have these needs met.

However, reality theory also suggests

that we sometimes devote dysfunctional behaviors to meet

our needs and those behaviors become the basis for how

we perceive reality.

Reality therapy states that we continue

to exhibit these behaviors in order

to obtain what clients would consider

to be their quality world.

Throughout the counseling process,

reality therapists believe that clients

can be shown how they create their reality

through the behaviors they choose,

thus the term, choice theory.

For instance, a CEO who has spent

much of his or her life striving for power at work

may become depressed because he or she has

developed a repertoire of behaviors

to meet the need for power, but as neglected his or her need

for love and belonging.

Reality therapists often use the WDEP model to describe

the counseling process.

W represents asking the client what

he or she wants in an effort to create a quality world

or success identity.

D stands for doing and is the point where the counselor asks

the client what choices and behaviors he or she

is currently making to obtain a quality world.

E stands for helping the client evaluate what he or she has

been doing to meet his or her needs

and to identify new behaviors that

would be more effective in obtaining a quality life

or success identity.

P stands for developing a plan for change.

The therapeutic process involves creating a trusting environment

working collaboratively with the client as equal partners

and being committed to the client

as they explore the change process.

In the following role play, we will

see Doctor Sylinda Gilchrist work

with Todd, a 42-year-old male who

has been struggling with mild depression related

to work and life transitions.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: Hi, Todd.

What brings you here today?

TODD: Well, I've been feeling pretty stressed lately,

maybe a little down.

Just noticed I'm pretty much not the same as I used to be.

I just feel a little overwhelmed at times.

I'm not really motivated and that's pretty much it

I retired probably about two years ago

and just don't have the same kind of level of go

that I did before.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: So you're feeling kind of

down because you retired?

TODD: I don't think it's so much because I'm retired.

I don't know.

I think I just, I don't feel motivated.

You know, it might be because I'm not as focused

as I was in the military.

I always had something to do.

I knew where I stood.

You know, I had responsibility.

People depended on me and those things have changed.

That might have something to do with it.

I don't know.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: OK.

So you're feeling a little down because you retired recently

from the military, and you had more responsibilities,

and your life is kind of transitioned or changed.

TODD: Yeah, that's pretty much it.

I mean-- I mean it might also be because I, you know,

I'm really focused on being a single parent right now

and school and, you know, I notice

that if I'm not doing that, I'm really not doing anything else.

But when I was in the military, you know, I had friends

and I had a big support group and, you know, I, you know,

always had something going on, and it's just not that way

anymore.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: So it sounds like since you retired

you lost a lot of your friends and that support system

that you had in while you were in the military, it's now gone.

TODD: Yes, ma'am.

I would think that would have a lot to do with it.

I'm a-- yeah, I'm pretty much a cave dweller now.

I don't much get out or anything like that.

So you know, I don't have the--

yeah, I had a good support group when I was in the military

because, you know, I was always working.

But since I got out, they're all transients so, you know,

I really don't talk to or see anybody

that I used to work with.

So it's just pretty much me and my 11-year-old.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: OK.

So what wouldn't make you happy or feel connected again?

TODD: I don't know.

I guess-- I guess getting out and getting

involved with other people, talking to them maybe.

You know, I just really don't know how to do that.

I'm not sure how to just go out.

I know when my son was playing soccer,

I didn't feel as bad as I do now.

And I guess because I was talking

to the adults on the sidelines while he was out there playing.

I had a pretty good group of friends then,

but he hasn't played the last two seasons

and sort of drifted apart with me doing school and stuff

like that.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: So it sounds like you felt better and we

you were involved in activities around adults or activities

that involve your son that allowed you to communicate

with other adults.

TODD: Yeah, I mean, that was a benefit of going to the--

I mean, it doesn't really have to be with my son.

I mean, that is always great.

But I mean, just the adult interaction

would be probably better than nothing.

You know, I'm not really talking to anybody.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: So it sounds what

you sounds like that what you would

like to have is more interactions with adults,

and develop more support mechanisms,

or support from other adults that you had

when you were in the military.

TODD: Yeah, that-- yeah, that sounds like it would--

that would benefit me.

I think this all started occurring to me when I like

threw out my back and I realized that I don't have the option

to be off or have a sick day.

I'm a full time parent now and, you know,

I have to go to school.

I can't miss classes or exams or anything.

And you know, it occurred to me I don't have anybody to call,

you know, to step in.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: OK.

So what would you want?

What would make you happy?

What would support look like outside of the military?

TODD: Probably just some kind of camaraderie.

But I'm real apprehensive about being obligated.

I don't want to be in a position--

I think that's what holds me back.

I don't want to be in a position that I have to do anything.

I want to be able to, you know, cancel out

if I'm going to meet people on a Thursday night

if something comes up because I end up

feeling really guilty if I don't meet my obligations.

And I just don't want to be--

I don't want to be pulled into anything.

You know, in the military I had to do what everybody else said

and I guess, maybe, I'm shying away from that.

So I guess I want the best of both worlds.

You know, be in a group, but not be stuck with it all the time.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: So you want some interaction or interaction

with adults, but you don't want a required obligation?

TODD: Right.

Right.

Because for a time there, I was getting involved with

the church and they were calling me, like,

twice a week and I was, like, this is--

it would stress me out because I felt obligated and I just--

I don't want to take any time away from school or my son.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: OK.

TODD: And that is most important to me.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: OK.

So we're going to look for maybe activities

or look for something that will allow you to interact

with other adults and increase your social circle,

but no time restraint, no time obligation.

TODD: Yeah, that would be the ultimate.

Because like I said, that I end up just severing ties

if it becomes too overwhelming.

And I don't want to have that stress either,

so I'd like to have some kind of adult interaction that I'm not,

you know, I don't feel required to attend.

SYLINDA GILCHRIST: So what do--