TO:
Dr. Joe Scarcella
FROM:
DATE:
RE: 502 BR
Dr. William Glasser MD, is a world-renowned
psychiatrist, counselor and lecturer. Born
in 1925 and raised in
Very early he came to the conclusion that
genetically, we are social creatures and need each other. However, the cause of
almost all psychological symptoms is our inability to get along with the
important people in our lives.
By 1980, he began to form the final idea that led to
Choice Theory: The reason why so many people are unhappy in their
relationships. He explains that, unlike all other living creatures, only human
beings are genetically driven by the need for power. Only we have learned
"I'm right and you're wrong". We try to satisfy our need for power by
using what he calls, external control psychology; literally trying to force
people to do what we want them to do. This struggle has led to the symptoms
described in the DSM-IV and many more, such as pain and fatigue.
He is the author of many books, including Warning: Psychiatry Can Be
Hazardous To Your Mental Health; Reality Therapy; Choice Theory; Counseling
with Choice Theory: The New Reality Therapy; The Quality School; Getting
Together and Staying Together; The Language Of Choice Theory; Choice Theory In
The Classroom; Control Theory in the Practice of Reality Therapy; The Control
Theory Manager; The Quality School Teacher; Schools Without Failure; Positive
Addiction and, For Parents & Teenagers.
To
summarize the most important concepts in this book would probably turn this
into a one hundred page essay. However, I like what he says about how we behave
and what we choose to do with our lives is based on genetics. “Therefore, besides survival, which depends a
lot on our physiology, I believe we are genetically programmed to try to
satisfy four psychological needs: love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun”.
(p28.) This would mean that we have a choice for every action and feeling
in life.
Towards
the end of the book he talks about using choice theory in the workplace. I
enjoyed this chapter immensely due the fact that I currently work in the field
mental health where greed and fear are the main driving forces coming out of
administration. Dr. Glasser calls this “Boss Management”. This is a very important philosophy that I
wish to communicate to the “powers to be”. I have a passion and drive to help
people and see them improve the quality of there lives but it becomes a major
challenge when greed is the driving force and fear is used to motivate staff
i.e. counselors, therapist, mental health workers and anyone else who is not at
the administrative level. It is vital to get rid of the fear factor and start
using “Lead Management”, thus allowing one to be at there full potential and be
therapeutic and valuable to human kind.
I have
already applied much of what this book offers in my personal as well as
professional life. Working in the field of addiction medicine and mental health
can be very fulfilling and at the same time challenging. By utilizing and
teaching some of the choice theory approach has allowed me use a different
approach and educate those who suffer from depression, grief, anger, and
addiction that most of their problems are by a matter of choice. It is gratifying
to witness the change of attitudes and outlooks within the patients I work
with. To see them open there minds and learn to make healthier choices in their
lives becoming productive members of society.
I have also applied “Choice Theory” to my personal
life. I lost my 42 year old brother on