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ABSTRACT
Choice Theory is used all over the world. Consequently, practitioners are likely to come across clients who have a disability and sexual/intimacy/romantic issues. In this article, the author describes the five basic needs, the test to assess each need, and the role that unhappiness or happiness plays in the assessment process. Based on the Needs Strength Profile created by Carleen Glasser, the author provides an assessment form specifically applicable to persons who have a disability and sexual/intimacy/romantic issues. Also, he provides instructions, an example, and explains the advantages of the assessment form.
Introduction
I have identified a gap in the literature. While much of the primary literature on Choice Theory-the writings of Dr. William Glasser, Dr. Robert Wubbolding, and Carleen Glasser-does address assessing the needs of the general population, nothing in the literature applies the need assessment process specifically to persons who have a disability and sexuality/intimacy/romantic issues. This is important because Choice theory is widely used around the world as a method of counseling. Because of its wide use many practitioners are highly likely to come across persons who have a disability and sexual/intimacy/romantic issues. Consequently, those who use Choice theory in their practices may benefit from an awareness of the ways they can adapt the current assessment process to the clients who have a disability and sexuality/intimacy/romantic issues. Specifically, this paper is meant to fill the gap (or, at least, start the process of filling the gap) of doing a needs assessment with the above mentioned population.
Structure of paper
In this paper, I will answer the following questions: What is Choice Theory? How does a practitioner assess a client's needs? How can one adapt the current needs assessment process to serve clients who have disabilities and sexual/intimacy/romantic issues.
Limitations
I will not cover every possible way in which a Choice Theory practitioner can assess a client's needs. Rather, this paper focuses on the general assessment process promoted in the primary writings on Choice Theory.
What is Choice Theory?
In 1965, Psychiatrist, Dr. William Glasser, created a new method of psychotherapy-Reality Therapy. He also created control theory. About ten years ago, Glasser changed the name of his theory (from Control Theory to Choice Theory) to more accurately reflect the central...