How is reality therapy often conceptualized?

Reality therapy is often conceptualized as a mentoring process because it involves guiding individuals through personal responsibility and helping them make better choices in their lives. In this therapeutic approach, the therapist acts as a mentor or coach, encouraging clients to identify their needs and understand how their behaviors align with their goals. The focus is on helping clients take control of their lives by examining their current choices, understanding the consequences of those choices, and learning how they can create more fulfilling experiences. This process fosters personal growth and self-efficacy.

In contrast, viewing reality therapy strictly as a discipline of psychoanalysis would misrepresent its foundational concepts, as reality therapy emphasizes actionable change rather than exploring unconscious motivations. Similarly, while it can function as an educational tool regarding individual choices and consequences, its primary aim is to facilitate changes in behavior rather than simply impart knowledge. Lastly, although reality therapy may be used in crisis situations, it is not solely a crisis intervention strategy; its broader aim is to instill long-term change through personal development and decision-making.