Relational‐Cultural Theory and Reality Therapy: A Culturally Responsive Integrative Framework

Abstract

The authors propose an integration of relational‐cultural theory and reality therapy. The authors contend that the traditional assumptions of reality therapy are consistent with the relational aspects of relational‐cultural theory and together provide a culturally responsive approach for diverse clients. The authors also include an overview of the 2 theories as well as highlight the convergences and divergences. In addition, the authors present a case illustration depicting the integration method in practice.

Development and Evaluation of a Turkish Language Version of the Relational Health Indices

“…The RHI measures qualities of growth-fostering relationships with peers, mentors, and community (Liang et al, 2002). As a dynamic construct, the presence of relational health has been studied mostly among women, men, female youth of color, college students, and adolescent girls and boys (e.g., Frey et al, 2005;Haskins & Appling, 2017;Lenz, 2014;Liang et al, 2002;Liang et al, 2007;Liang et al, 2010;Liang & West, 2011, Storlie et al, 2017Vandermause et al, 2018). Researchers have also studied the construct of relational health with international samples, yet it has been limited to Hispanic/Latino populations (Lenz et al, 2015) and Asians (Liang et al, 2006).…”

Relational‐Cultural Theory–Based Interventions With LGBTQ College Students

“…RCT arose from a need to address issues presented by women seeking psychotherapy, with an emphasis on human development “through and toward connection” (Jordan, , p. 1). The tenets of RCT include connection as the ultimate goal of mature human development and chronic disconnection as the source of human dysfunction (Duffey & Somody, ; Haskins & Appling, ; Jordan, , ). Sociopolitical forces that encourage hyperindividuality and a focus on the self as separate from others also facilitate disconnection (Jordan, , ).…”

“…In a society that can deny equitable power and privilege to LGBTQ college students when compared with their non‐LGBTQ peers, an RCT approach includes the sharing of power between college counselors and LGBTQ clients by establishing an egalitarian relationship. RCT counselors use the counseling relationship as the primary agent of change in therapy and are authentic in the establishment of an egalitarian relationship (Crumb & Haskins, ; Frey, , Haskins & Appling, ). To counter the reported hostile college climate for LGBTQ college students (R. D. Brown et al, ; Rankin, ; Rankin et al, ), college counselors using RCT can serve as affirming partners as clients engage in choices around identity disclosure.…”

Twenty‐First‐Century Counseling Theory Development in Relation to Definitions of Free Will and Determinism

“…Also in light of evolving 21st‐century thought and changing social demographics, other major theories of psychotherapy were reevaluated in relation to contemporary counseling application (e.g., psychoanalysis [Keefner, Burt, & Grudev, ; Redekop, Luke, & Malone, ], gestalt [Frew, ], reality therapy [Haskins & Appling, ]). Lemberger and Lemberger‐Truelove (), positing social justice as a categorical imperative for humanists, described a metamodern humanistic praxis informed by both modernist essentialism and postmodern variability.…”