Concepts Related to Reality Therapy:

1. Human Needs and Purposeful Behavior: Reality therapy is founded on the idea that individuals are driven by a set of basic psychological needs, which include the need for love and belonging, power and achievement, freedom and independence, and fun. People engage in purposeful behaviors to satisfy these needs and gain a sense of control over their lives.
2. Existential/Phenomenological Orientation: Reality therapy acknowledges the existential and phenomenological aspects of human experience. It recognizes the individual’s subjective reality, the importance of making meaning in life, and the fact that individuals have the capacity to choose how they respond to their circumstances.
3. Total Behavior: Total behavior is a central concept in reality therapy. It comprises four interconnected components: thinking, feeling, acting, and physiology. According to reality therapy, individuals can only directly control their acting and thinking components. By changing their behaviors and thought patterns, they can indirectly influence their feelings and physiology.
4. The Essence of Choice Theory: Choice Theory, a key component of reality therapy, asserts that individuals are responsible for their own behavior and choices. It emphasizes that people have the power to make choices that lead to satisfying their needs and achieving their goals. The theory posits that the only person an individual can control is oneself.

Example of an Issue Treated with Reality Therapy Group:

An example of an issue that could be treated with a reality therapy group is substance abuse. In this context, a reality therapy group could focus on helping individuals gain control over their behaviors and make effective choices to overcome their addiction. The concepts related to reality therapy would be applied in the following ways:

1. Human Needs and Purposeful Behavior: Group members would explore how their substance abuse may be an attempt to satisfy needs such as escape from reality, relief from stress, or a sense of belonging among peers who also use substances.
2. Existential/Phenomenological Orientation: The group could delve into the underlying existential factors contributing to the addiction, such as feelings of emptiness or the need for meaning in life. Members might share their personal perspectives on their struggle and the impact on their lives.
3. Total Behavior: The group would work on identifying the thinking patterns and behaviors associated with substance abuse. Members could learn strategies to modify their actions and thought processes to break the cycle of addiction.
4. The Essence of Choice Theory: Group members would take responsibility for their choices and behaviors related to substance abuse. They would explore alternative choices they can make to address their needs and achieve their goals without relying on substances.

Through group discussions, sharing of experiences, role-playing, and experiential exercises, the reality therapy group would provide a supportive environment for individuals to confront their addiction, understand the motivations behind it, and develop effective strategies for change. The focus would be on making better choices, gaining control over their behavior, and ultimately leading more fulfilling lives without the dependence on substances.