Personal Model of Helping
Robert Wheeler
BSHS/312
January 28, 2013
Dr. Elizabeth Jorgensen

Personal Model of Helping
Introduction
Within the magnitude of psychotherapy are various approaches taken to get to the end of a clinical relationship in a successful manner. The ultimate goal of therapy is to remove any barriers within the range of the therapists’ education and skill, thus making the linchpin of recovery a split responsibility between the client and clinician. However, in order to assist a client in restoring purpose and meaning to their life; the clinician uses many strategies, approaches, and techniques to begin the process. Using an array of tools from different systems and models does not hinder but helps the process move forward in a successful direction. The model most likely to be used personally is the Reality Therapy model. Choice Theory is a personal favorite because it can assist a client or participant in living a happier, healthier, and constructive lifestyle in a short period of time. Within this model it is noted that most cases of misery or dysfunction are directly related to the unhappy relationships that individuals carry with other people. Because of this, it is important to learn how to give up the external locus of control and only controlling themselves. In return, this opens up several doors in different aspects of living a satisfying lifestyle triumphantly, giving treatment an opportunity to become a win-win situation.
Personal Viewpoint
The aforementioned personal viewpoint was formulated after researching different models in therapy. Reality therapy is a model that is client-centered and uses many similarities from other models to formulate its theory. For instance, “existential therapy expects the therapeutic responsibility to rest squarely on the client. Therapy is not imposed. Neither is the client viewed as an object to be evaluated, assessed, reported about, programmed for change, or modified. Starting therapy, ending therapy, taking each step in the therapeutic process-all of this is determined in large part not by the therapist but by the clients” (Parrott, 2003). Same for choice theory, no client is directed in a manner that they do not want to conform to. Therapists’ in this model identify what the client’s perception of their own quality world is, and assists them in achieving that quality world by setting goals and relying on self-motivation to obtain it. Motivation does not come without cost though. One must give up unhealthy desires such as the negative steps that hinder that process; substance abuse, criminal activities, and relinquishing unhealthy relationships are definitely a start toward the right direction. This is where the therapist can do the best work with the client. Allowing the client to self-disclose or the use of free association can be the building blocks to a good working relationship between the participant and clinician.
Views on Helping
The viewpoint to helping is personally held firmly and without prejudice. Helping involves working in a way that always benefits the participant. Producing information in a way that is not only encouraging but empowers the other party to move forward progressively is second-to-none. Supporting and delivering a message of positive reinforcements and self-confidence in all that is communicated ranks at the top of those values as well. Riches are gained from walking away from a participant knowing that in some way their life has changed for the better which is also a surreal emotion. Helping an individual or family means sharing in the struggles and having enough empathy to understand what is mentally happening with, as well as, what feelings and emotions are felt within the participant. Allowing transference and counter transference to take place whenever necessary; however, understanding that the situations that occurred in the past does in fact have a great deal to do with whom we are today as individuals, but knowing that the visitation of such trauma does very little to reaching the ultimate goal; improving how we behave today toward self and others.
Client and Clinician’s Relationship
Scientific research has proven that both success and failure of psychotherapy at any level is based on many factors. The clients themselves, the clinicians, what methods and models of therapy are used, as well as the context within that model, and the relationship between the client and clinician are just a few. This is why it is imperative to the success of this relationship that trust, honesty, empathy, and understanding are some main points that need to be established for therapy to work in a manner that is beneficial to the client. The relationship between the client and the clinician is like no other relationship in the client’s life. The relationship is often an asymmetrical one, where the client is the self-disclosing party and the clinician or therapist is not. Therapists can be friends; however, the therapist should always have the authoritative role without controlling the movements or decisions of the clients within the reality therapy model. It allows the clients to come to their own conclusions and set their own destinies as to what they want to obtain from the psychotherapeutic relationship. Setting boundaries and understanding those boundaries are at the foundation in the relationship between the client and clinician; therefore, should be respected at all times.
Techniques and Approaches
Reality therapy is an approach at fulfilling healthy relationships with others in the client’s life. Thence so, it definitely begins with building a healthy client-clinician relationship. Once the relationship between the two has been established, one of the first techniques is to move the client away from their past, (which many people think is the cause of their current demise) and focus more on the behaviors, perceptions, and thought processes of their current relationships. The past is only used as a guide map to determine the journey to take in present and future relationships. Although it is a tough approach at times, accountability is imperative to success. Accountability is at the core of changing one’s perception in a way that places them in the responsibility seat, and makes head way to change in a manner so they respond to actions or react to situations within the relationships around them differently. Another technique or approach to focus on in reality therapy is identifying where the client is not meeting their needs. Similar to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs; according to “Reality Therapy” (2012) “William Glassier, the founder of reality therapy suggests that nearly every form of and variation of psychology is based on the theory that all people are born with specific needs, that if left unmeet, lead to disharmony or disturbance” (para. 4). Identifying the needs that are not met are the stepping stones to living a satisfying life. Without meeting each need, one has trouble moving forward with identifying other aspects of unhealthy relationships thus placing a barrier in front of them.
Similar Models
A coherent model that is consistent with reality therapy is the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy or CBT model. CBT does not truly exist as a specific or sole strategy; therefore it is often coupled with another technique such as choice theory because thoughts and feelings assist individuals in their perceptions of people, places, and things that consequently assist in displaying the behaviors they do. Thence, changing the perception of the way people understand the world around them, often changes their feelings, thoughts, and perceptions of those things that make an unhealthy lifestyle. CBT and Reality Therapy have a common denominator therefore, compliment themselves. They are both rapid in achieving a desired result because much of the past is of little to no importance on the work done to change the present. In behavioral therapy positive reinforcements take place even if it is just an acknowledgement of work well done. Assertive training in the respect of free-association without the feelings of anxiety, shame, or defeat does not separate these two models but the linchpin to both of their successes. This type of strategy among the two models allows for behavioral training before situations truly occur. In a sense, it is modeling a desired behavior or outcome to situations that are troublesome to the participant often done through role play until a desire result or stimuli is achieved.
Problems Addressed
As illustrated several times, choice theory based on the concepts of reality theory by William Glasser M.D., can address many vexatious areas in the participants life that are unhealthy and creating a barrier for that client. It is noted that all we can do from birth to death is behave. How we choose to behave is always up to the individual as a person. Glasser, M.D. (1998) stated, “Not only are we always behaving, but we are always trying to choose to behave in a way that gives us the most effective control over our lives. In terms of choice theory, having effective control means, being able to behave in a way that reasonably satisfies the pictures in our quality world” (p.71). Reality therapy can be used to encourage and promote better grades from underachieving students and improve their perceptions of functioning in classrooms, as well as cultural conflicts among at-risk adolescents through training of the techniques used in this model. Other problems that are addressed can range from PTSD, bullying at schools across the nation, and obesity. Reality therapy in teaching practices assists the building of strong foundational relationships and provides a structure for goal setting.

Multicultural Issues
Choice theory can therapeutically change the value of any individual or family with any issue or that is experiencing problematic relationships; however, it is especially vital to those that have serious sensitive issues such as a terminal illness, disorder, or serious dysfunction. These aspects are susceptible to negativity because not only is there nature terminal, but the participants worldviews may be altered because of their condition. In this sense, values, beliefs, emotions, and assumptions can be different from the “average” individual not facing these types of dilemmas. There can still be change. Reality therapy is otherwise the suspension bridge that fills the voids in many areas that build tension. Racial conflict, sexual identity, culture shocks or clashes is where understanding the perception of self and learning choice theory can mean changing the way life is lived. Reality theory in this manner focuses on adapting to the world around individuals in means of perceiving what is just, and what can be better in one’s personal quality world. Within psychotherapy it is pertinent the clinician leave personal biases at the door and to remain empathetic to the participant’s story, as well as aware of any cultural differences that may be instilled within different nationalities, beliefs, and perceptions thereof.
Limitations and Strengths
Because of the nature within the reality therapy model (dealing with the present and moving forward), there are many limitations as to what can be worked on and accomplished as far as pain and suffer are concerned. The past is considered to be the foundation of the participants being and may contribute to the way he or she is behaving to certain situations, but never the sole reason. Therefore, even though anyone can seek out recovery through reality therapy; choice theory does have limitations as to what can be addressed. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on the other hand takes an approach at sorting out the past and concentrating more on why individuals personally do what they do. There are strengths though in reality therapy which are second-to-none. For instance, everyone from birth forward has images or pictures of what they want in their “Quality World” and what will make them happy. Reality therapy along with its techniques, guides the client and clinician on a forged mental path in which to travel to get to that quality world. Planning is done by the client in a client-centered approach because it is the client alone, that no-matter-what, has to live with their decisions. Another strength that sets this model a part is that there is no excuse, nor is there any punishment for not obtaining a specific goal or agenda. Without punishment there is no reason for an excuse. The purpose of this is the client then has to identify and set up a plan and achieve it or devise a new one which is feasible to engage in, and overcoming the unwanted obstacles by turning them into milestones on their own accord and moving forward.
Populations Served
One of the most wonderful aspects of the choice theory model is that it does not stop at just individuals with a serious issue or problem, but reaches even those simply trying to better themselves or self-actualize. Choice theory can work for anyone and anything that one wishes to change in their life. Reality therapy is about giving up the external locus of control that hinders people’s lives from change. This style of psychotherapy can serve many purposes. From losing weight to quitting the habit of smoking, rehabilitation from drugs, and depression, choice theory can help. No matter the individual or family, choice theory teaches individuals about themselves by identifying what they want in their own quality world and learning how to obtain it. This definitely makes this model unique in a way that anyone can use it, live it, and benefit from it. Choice theory or reality therapy is a state of mind that changes the negative adjectives such as depressed or addicted and turns them into verbs like to depress and to addict; therefore, changing them into a personal action that one can change when the perception of the situation is changed. Anyone big or small, child or adult can benefit from this model because changing one’s perception is not limited to just one population, but affect all who know what they want and are willing to pave a path or set the right goals to get there.
Original Thinking
Originally, the stigma based on the belief that therapy is for the weak and suffering was in place. After a further endeavor and journey into the world of psychotherapy, it has brought an entirely different outlook on the various means therapists can put in place with several techniques and strategies to help anyone in any situation. Whether the participant is rich, poor, smart, or suffering a disability; psychotherapy can better the lives of many individuals or families. The old adage of not being able to teach old dogs to do new tricks is something that was stated by somebody that has never walked into the realm of psychotherapy. Not everyone needs therapy of course; however, anyone can benefit from it if the mind remains open and willing for change.
Conclusion
Within the body of this paper there were techniques, strategies, models and issues that surround the resources and functionality of choice theory and reality therapy. Learning that the way we think, feel, act, and react to the people, places, and things around us puts life and living in a quality world into perspective. Individuals can only change and control one thing in order to live a healthy and successful lifestyle. That one thing is self. Nobody can plan for the future nor can they predict how something is going to play itself out, but learning the techniques of choice theory and knowing how you will respond as an individual is setting the way for forward progress. Choice theory can help anyone and everyone that has an open mind because truth be told, even the most successful, desirable people in this world can be better at what they do. It is the job of the clinician to get the client to identify which foot is the right one and proceed forward starting there. Reality therapy can be coupled with other models and will forevermore be a positive and enriching tool to possess.

Reference
Parrott, L., III. (2003). Counseling and psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole.
Reality Therapy. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org
Glasser, M.D., W. (1998). Choice Theory: A new psychology of personal freedom. New York, NY. HarperPerinnial.