Is it true that reality therapists believe in a generational basis for mental illness?

Reality therapists do not subscribe to the idea that mental illness is primarily based on generational factors. Instead, the foundation of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy posits that individuals create their own psychological realities and have responsibility for their actions, shaped significantly by their choices and relationships in the present.

The focus is on understanding how one meets their needs and experiences emotional and psychological well-being rather than attributing mental health issues to family history or generational patterns. This perspective emphasizes personal agency and the ability to change one’s circumstances by making different choices, rather than seeing mental illness as a hereditary issue.

While individual experiences and backgrounds can certainly influence a person's life and choices, the core tenet of Reality Therapy is centered on the present and the capacity for change, rather than a belief in a generational basis for mental illness.