Which statement best describes the counselor's contribution in reality theory?

• A. The counselor acts as a passive observer while the client leads the process.
• B. The counselor primarily focuses on dream analysis and past conflicts.
• C. The counselor is the catalyst in helping clients plan, contract, and evaluate action.
• D. The counselor uses long-term therapy with little accountability.

Answer: (C)

Reality therapy emphasizes present control of behavior and personal responsibility. The counselor's contribution is to serve as a catalyst who helps clients move from talk to action by planning, contracting for specific behaviors, and evaluating how well those actions meet the client's needs. The counselor guides the client through identifying what they want, what they are currently doing to achieve it, how effective those actions are, and then formulating a concrete plan with a contract and a time frame. This action-oriented, collaborative process—often framed by the WDEP model (Wants, Doing, Evaluation, Plan)—keeps therapy focused on present choices and accountability, rather than exploring past conflicts or analyzing dreams.