On the 28th and 29th of September, Ms Bosiljka Lojk the Director of training of the European Institute for Reality Therapy, held two talks at the Main Hall of Mosta Zokrija Secondary School one for teaching staff on how to find ways to keep healthy throughout scholastic year 2016/17 and the other for the colleges’ psychosocial teams on how to use Reality Therapy both in line with Choice Theory. The talks were held under the auspices of the Association for Reality Therapy-Malta in collaboration the College Principal Mr P Decelis through the CPD department of Maria Regina College. The following are some highlights from the talks. Over 60 persons attended both talks together.
What is Reality Therapy?
Reality Therapy is a psychotherapeutic approach based on the understanding that people are intrinsically motivated and that they control their own behavior. The therapist uses the process of self-evaluation to connect with clients through the difficulties that they present which enables them to look at their difficulties from another perspective and discover better ways to achieve personal satisfaction. The Reality therapist’s viewpoint on human beings and their difficulties is informed by Choice Theory. During the talk a counselling session role play was carried out where Ms Lojk showed how to deliver Reality Therapy.
Definition of Choice Theory
Choice Theory is an understanding of human behaviour based on second order cybernetics. Dr. William Glasser (MD) the originator explains that the human organism is understood as a closed system. Every function of that system is purposeful and is motivated from within. The organism is equated with its behaviour which is an inseparable whole and consists of action, thinking, feeling and physiology. The purpose of human behaviour is establishing inner equilibrium and harmonising with the environment. This is possible because of the following features and abilities of the organism: Motives that drive the behaviour; abilities to monitor and compare information gathered from the environment with its internal motives; ability to harmonise by using the most prominent trait – its own creativity. These features of the system are described in detail for the purpose of psychotherapy using constructs of psychological needs, quality world and total behavior.
Choice Theory can be applied to one’s own life, to parenting, lead management, coaching, reality therapy and counselling and in quality schools. Below one can find the tables Ms Lojk used to explain to teachers how teachers and students perceive each other. Note that tables are produced with the permission of the author. For more information we invite you to visit http://www.eirt.si/ and http://www.realitytherapy-europe.org, or contact the local association on email address artm.secretary@gmail.com for further information and info on courses.
