William Glasser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Glasser
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Glasser at the 2009 Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference
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| Born | May 11, 1925 |
| Died | August 23, 2013 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Case Western Reserve University University of California, Los Angeles |
| Known for | developed reality therapy and choice theory |
| Awards | Doctor of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, University of San Francisco, American Counseling Association Professional Development Award, American Psychotherapy Association Master Therapist |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Psychiatry Counseling |
| Institutions | California State University, Northridge William Glasser Institute Institute for Reality Therapy |
William Glasser (born May 11, 1925 – died August 23, 2013) was an American doctor who helped people with their minds, called a psychiatrist. He created two important ideas: reality therapy and choice theory. These ideas focus on how people make choices, take responsibility for their actions, and can change their lives for the better.
Glasser believed that people often act out their unhappiness when they don't feel connected to important people in their lives. He thought that many mental health problems were not brain illnesses, but instead came from people making choices that didn't help them. He wanted to teach everyone about mental health and offer new ways to find healthy directions in life.
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Early Life and Education
William Glasser was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 11, 1925. His father, Ben Glasser, fixed watches and clocks. William went to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. In 1945, he earned a degree in chemical engineering.
After working as an engineer for a short time, Glasser went back to university in 1946. He was then drafted into the US Army. After his time in the army, he returned to Case Western. He earned another degree in clinical psychology in 1949. In 1953, he became a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry. He finished his medical training at UCLA and a hospital for veterans. By 1961, he was officially recognized as an expert in psychiatry.
Developing New Ideas
Glasser started working at the Ventura School for Delinquent Girls. There, he began to teach ideas that would become the basis for reality therapy. He met another psychiatrist, G. L. Harrington, who also had different ideas from the usual way of thinking about mental illness at the time. Glasser saw Harrington as his mentor.
Glasser believed that traditional psychiatry often focused too much on labeling people with "mental illnesses." He thought that giving people medicine for these "illnesses" wasn't always the best solution. Instead, Glasser focused on helping people understand their choices and take control of their lives. He opened his own practice in Los Angeles and worked there until 1986.
He wrote many important books about mental health, helping people, and improving schools. He also wrote about how mental health should be seen as a public health issue, not just a medical one.
In 1967, Glasser started the Institute for Reality Therapy. This institute changed its name a few times and is now called the William Glasser Institute. It is located in Tempe, Arizona, and has branches all over the world.
By the 1970s, Glasser called his main ideas "Control Theory." Later, in 1996, he changed the name to "Choice Theory." This new name helped avoid confusion with another similar theory. Choice Theory teaches that almost everything we do is a choice. We choose our actions, thoughts, and feelings, even if we don't always realize it.
His Ideas Spread Worldwide
William Glasser's ideas became very popular. The William Glasser Institute has groups in many countries. These include Canada, Croatia, Ireland, the UK, Finland, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
These groups help teach people about Choice Theory and Reality Therapy. They offer courses to help people learn how to use these ideas in their own lives and to help others. The goal is to promote personal growth and better relationships.
Later Years
William Glasser passed away at his home in Los Angeles on August 23, 2013. He was with his wife, Carleen, and other family members. He died because of breathing problems from pneumonia. Even though he had been unwell for some time, his death was a shock to many who followed his work.
More to Explore
- William Glasser: Champion of Choice, 2014 ISBN: 978-1934442470
