IMO as a clinical social worker Choice Theory/Reality Therapy are harmful constructs. I absolutely HATE this theoretical perspective, because it essentially "blames the victim." Are there some rebellious teens who are "acting out" just to get a "pay off?" Sure, of course. But my big problem with Choice Theory is that it implies there is "choice" associated with a person being mentally ill. There is no "choice" involved in schizophrenia or bipolar or major depression. Patients do not "choose" to have bizarre paranoid delusions or psychotic manic episodes. When a professor in graduate school introduced this text (Glasser's "Choice Theory") as reading material, I let her know in no uncertain terms that I felt this was inappropriate for students entering the field of mental health practice. Stuff like this only adds to the stigma around mental illness, it does not empower the mentally ill at all.
Kelly
