ABSTRACT
Reality Therapy is similar to some theories but very different from many others. This is most certainly true in creating the counselling relationship. To establish a counselling relationship conducive to positive change, the guidelines presented in this chapter have proved very effective. In Reality Therapy the development of an authentic, warm and trusting relationship is regarded as essential to effective counselling. The Cycle of Counselling provides suggestions or guidelines that can help to build this relationship and some to avoid. The idea of 'sharing yourself' in the counselling relationship would be criticised and opposed in some counselling theories and particularly so in the context of the seemingly austere 'distance' maintained in conventional psychiatry. The guidelines described in the chapter need to be implemented by the counsellor not as rigid 'must do's' but appropriately and occasionally, based on considerations of the clients' emotional, mental, physical condition and the particular counselling setting.
