Reality Therapy Quotes

“[W]aiting for attitudes to change stalls therapy whereas changing behavior leads quickly to a change in attitude, which in turn can lead to fulfilling needs and further better behavior.”
― William Glasser, Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry

“The patient rather than the therapist must decide whether or not his behavior is irresponsible and whether he should change it. [...] If a man thinks it is all right to overeat and be fat, no obesity treatment will work.”
― William Glasser, Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry

“Happiness occurs most often when we are willing to take responsibility for our behavior. Irresponsible people, always seeking to gain happiness without assuming responsibility, find only brief periods of joy, but not the deep-seated satisfaction which accompanies responsible behavior.”
― William Glasser, Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry

“As part of becoming involved the therapist must become interested in and discuss all aspects of the patient's present life. [...] We are interested in him as a person with a wide potential, not just as a patient with problems. In fact, one of the best ways not to become involved is to discuss his problems over and over.”
― William Glasser, Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry

“It's hard to imagine which is worse, living with fear, or living without it in a fantasyland were consequences don't exist.”
― Brooke Hauser, The New Kids: Big Dreams and Brave Journeys at a High School for Immigrant Teens

“The skill of therapy is to put the responsibility upon the patient, and after involvement is established, to ask him why he remains in therapy if he is not dissatisfied with his behavior.”
― William Glasser, Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry