What does Reality Therapy reject in its approach to counseling?

Reality Therapy primarily rejects the medical model in its approach to counseling. This model often emphasizes diagnosing mental health disorders and treating them as medical conditions, which can involve a focus on pathology and dysfunction. Instead, Reality Therapy, developed by William Glasser, emphasizes personal responsibility and the choices individuals make, focusing on the present and future rather than on past experiences or psychological disorders.

In Reality Therapy, the counselor encourages clients to take control of their lives and directs them toward meeting their basic needs through responsible actions. This approach emphasizes empowerment and self-help, contrasting sharply with the medical model's tendency to frame issues in terms of illness requiring treatment. By rejecting the medical model, Reality Therapy maintains a focus on health and well-being, helping clients to evaluate their current behavior and revise it to better meet their needs in the present.