Reality therapy is a form of psychotherapy developed by psychiatrist William Glasser in the 1960s. It focuses on helping people take more effective control of their lives in the present moment rather than dwelling on past events. Reality therapy encourages people to make choices that lead to more satisfying lives.
Some key principles of reality therapy include:
- Focusing on present behavior rather than past experiences or events.
- Helping clients evaluate whether their current actions are getting them what they want.
- Having clients commit to realistic, achievable plans for change.
- Not accepting excuses for irresponsible behavior.
- Working within clients’ reality to make changes rather than trying to change their reality.
Reality therapy rejects the idea that people are not responsible for their behavior. Instead, it views people as having substantial control over their choices and actions. The therapist’s role is to help people see the connection between their behavior and whether their needs are met. If current behavior is not effective, the therapist helps the person plan new, more responsible behavior that will lead to greater need fulfillment.
The Bible does not directly address reality therapy, as it was developed relatively recently. However, there are some principles of reality therapy that align with biblical principles, while others are more questionable.
Aspects of Reality Therapy Aligned with Biblical Principles
Here are some aspects of reality therapy that seem to be in agreement with biblical teachings:
- Focus on the present/future rather than the past – The Bible encourages leaving the past behind and pressing on toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13-14). While it is important to learn from the past, dwelling on it or living in regret is generally discouraged (Isaiah 43:18-19).
- Taking responsibility for choices – The Bible teaches that humans have the ability to make choices and are responsible for those choices (Joshua 24:15; Proverbs 1:29-31). Blaming others or circumstances is generally viewed as making excuses for irresponsible behavior.
- Making positive changes – Scripture encourages leaving behind unwise or unfruitful patterns of life and making changes that lead to blessing and fulfillment (Ephesians 4:22-24; Galatians 5:16-26). Reality therapy seeks to facilitate these kinds of positive changes.
- Practical solutions – The Bible emphasizes applying God’s truth in practical ways to experience positive change (James 1:22). Similarly, reality therapy focuses on practical action steps clients can take to improve their lives.
These concepts of taking personal responsibility, living purposefully, and making wise choices align with a biblical worldview. Scripture encourages wise living through obedient, responsible choices that lead to blessing.
Aspects of Reality Therapy Potentially at Odds with Biblical Principles
However, some aspects of reality therapy may conflict with a biblical perspective or emphasis:
- Minimizing the past – While the Bible teaches living in the present, it differs from reality therapy in also emphasizing the impact of the past. Scripture shows people’s present struggles often dealing with unresolved issues from earlier in life (Genesis 37-50; Matthew 15:18-20).
- Rejecting explanations for behavior – The Bible recognizes human behavior is impacted by many factors including spiritual battles, generational patterns, chemical imbalances, and traumatic experiences (Ephesians 6:12; Exodus 20:5; Matthew 26:41). Reality therapy may dismiss certain explanations as “excuses.”
- Pulling self up by bootstraps – Reality therapy has been critiqued for focusing too much on self-determinism and “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.” The Bible recognizes human limitations and the need for divine empowerment and grace to make changes (John 15:5; Philippians 2:12-13).
- Human-centered solutions – Reality therapy is very focused on meeting human needs and finding human solutions. The Bible presents God and his perspective as the ultimate solution to life’s struggles (Mark 8:36-37; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).
A biblical counselor may use some techniques from reality therapy but would ultimately point people toward dependence on God and spiritual resources for change. Any form of therapy would need to be subordinated to the truth and wisdom of the Bible.
Key Realities According to the Bible
If counseling people from a biblical perspective, these “realities” should shape the counseling process:
- All people struggle with sin and fall short of God’s standards (Romans 3:23).
- Sinful patterns of behavior lead to brokenness and death (Romans 6:23a).
- God offers forgiveness and eternal life through Christ (Romans 6:23b).
- True change requires humble dependence on God (John 15:5).
- God’s Spirit enables and empowers righteous living (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
- All of life’s struggles require faith and trust in God’s plans (Proverbs 3:5-8).
- Wisdom comes from respecting and obeying God (Psalm 111:10).
- The Bible contains God’s authoritative solutions for human problems (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Secular counseling methods can provide some helpful insights. However, the Bible provides the true framework for understanding human nature and problems. Biblical counseling may use certain techniques but must stay grounded in spiritual realities and resources.
Cautions Regarding Reality Therapy
For Christians considering reality therapy, some cautions include:
- It should never contradict biblical truth or principles.
- Be wary of minimizing the impact of the past or over-simplifying complex human behavior.
- Remember human solutions are limited without God’s power and wisdom.
- Avoid the extremes of blaming self or others for all problems.
- Recognize spiritual factors that secular therapy overlooks.
- Embrace God’s mercy and avoid approaches focused only on strict justice.
- Offer grace-based hope, not just pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps.
Reality therapy offers some helpful concepts but needs to be evaluated against Scripture. Christians should consider how to thoughtfully integrate biblical truth with the best insights that reality therapy has to offer.
Integrating Reality Therapy and Biblical Counseling
Here are some ways a biblical counselor could integrate concepts from reality therapy with a scriptural approach:
- Help people take responsibility for present choices rather than play the blame game.
- Identify present patterns of behavior leading to problems and unmet needs.
- Encourage repentance from sinful habits and attitudes.
- Guide people to make wise choices that align with biblical values.
- Develop action plans rooted in spiritual resources like prayer and community.
- Draw on other biblical disciplines like renewing the mind and fasting.
- Cultivate identity in Christ and dependence on the Holy Spirit for change.
- Establish accountability relationships for encouragement and growth.
- Remind counselees of God’s forgiveness when they fail.
- Focus on meeting needs for love, significance, security, and purpose in biblical ways.
With wisdom and discernment, biblical counselors can glean helpful insights and techniques from reality therapy while staying grounded in Scriptural truths and resources.
Key Principles of Biblical Counseling
Biblical counseling differs from secular approaches like reality therapy in some key ways:
- Divine authority – The Bible, not human wisdom, is the final authority (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
- Sinful nature – Identifies mankind’s core problem as spiritual, not just behavioral (Jeremiah 17:9).
- Heart change – Seeks inner heart change, not just external behavioral change (Ezekiel 36:26).
- Grace and truth – Applies God’s grace and truth in counseling, not condemnation (John 1:14).
- Spiritual resources – Draws on spiritual resources: Scripture, prayer, the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:17-18).
- Biblical sufficiency – Believes the Bible is sufficient to address people’s problems (2 Peter 1:3).
- Christ-centeredness – Points people to Christ as the ultimate answer, not just fixes and techniques (Colossians 1:28-29).
- Church community – Views local church as primary community for discipleship and growth.
Secular counseling offers helpful insights but needs to be subordinate to the absolutes and resources found in God’s word.
Conclusion
In summary, reality therapy focuses on personal responsibility, evaluating current behavior, and planning achievable changes. Some of its concepts align with biblical principles, while others require discernment. Biblical counseling integrates helpful insights from reality therapy but subordinates them to the truth and resources found in Scripture. Wise Christians can learn from reality therapy while embracing counseling that is firmly grounded in God’s word and Spirit.
