Redefining Power as a Path to Psychological Health and Personal Fulfillment
In Choice Theory and its application through Reality Therapy[1], the concept of power is one of the five basic psychological needs that drive all human behavior. While often misunderstood or viewed negatively in societal contexts, as dominance, control, or coercion, power in Choice Theory is fundamentally about personal competence, inner strength, achievement, and a sense of self-worth. It is the deep need to matter, to make a difference, and to feel effective in the world.
This article explores how power, understood as competence and mastery, plays a crucial role in mental health, behavior, and personal transformation, and how Reality Therapy supports individuals in meeting this need in responsible, sustainable ways.
Redefining Power: From Control to Competence
In mainstream culture, power is frequently associated with control over others, hierarchical status, or authority. But in Glasser’s framework, power is redefined:
- Power = the need to feel capable, effective, and respected.
- It’s the feeling of mastering a skill, being recognized for one’s contributions, and having influence in one’s environment.
- It’s also the ability to stand in one’s truth, take meaningful action, and feel a sense of internal control and self-respect.
When power is healthy, it reflects a person’s ability to set goals, take initiative, solve problems, and cultivate a sense of self-efficacy.[2] When this need is unmet, individuals may express power in distorted ways: aggression, manipulation, rebellion, or withdrawal.
How the Need for Power Manifests
The need for power can show up in various life domains:
- Work: Seeking recognition, promotions, or mastery of a craft
- Education: Striving for academic success or understanding
- Relationships: Wanting to be heard, validated, or to feel equal
- Creative Expression: Mastering an art form or sharing one’s voice
- Personal Growth: Overcoming internal struggles or achieving goals
When people feel powerless or incompetent, they may experience anxiety, depression, frustration, or resentment. Conversely, when people feel competent, seen, and valued, they thrive.
Power and Mental Health: A Vital Link
Psychologist Albert Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to influence outcomes—closely aligns with Glasser’s[3] view of power. Research consistently shows that people with higher self-efficacy experience:
- Greater psychological well-being
- More motivation and resilience
- Better stress management
- Lower rates of depression and learned helplessness
In other words, feeling powerful in the form of competence and mastery is not optional—it’s essential for mental health.[4]
Reality Therapy: Helping Clients Reclaim Healthy Power
Reality Therapy offers a practical, respectful approach to helping individuals meet their need for power in responsible, growth-oriented ways. Here’s how:
Identifying the Power Gap: Therapists help individuals explore how unmet needs for power may be showing up in their life. This might sound like:
-
- “I don’t feel appreciated at work.”
- “I always feel like I’m failing.”
- “No one listens to me.”
- “I used to feel confident, but now I’m stuck.”
Through curiosity and nonjudgment, Reality Therapy helps clients reflect on their behaviors and whether those behaviors are helping them feel more or less powerful.
Shifting from External to Internal Control: Rather than focusing on controlling others or circumstances, clients are guided to focus on what they can control: their own choices, actions, and attitudes. This shift fosters true empowerment.
Rebuilding Competence: Therapists support clients in identifying areas where they can build mastery—small wins that restore confidence. This could include:
-
- Learning a new skill
- Completing a task
- Repairing a relationship
- Practicing assertive communication
- Reframing self-talk
Every success, no matter how small, becomes a building block for power through competence.
Using the WDEP System[5] to Harness Power
-
- Wants: What do you want to feel powerful about?
- Doing: What are you doing now to gain that sense of mastery or self-respect?
- Evaluation: Is what you’re doing working? Are you feeling more empowered?
- Planning: What can you do differently to meet this need in a healthy, effective way?
This step-by-step method makes empowerment a tangible, actionable process.
Case Example: Reclaiming Healthy Power
Jasmine, a 35-year-old social worker, felt burned out and invisible in her workplace. She described herself as “just going through the motions” and struggling with self-doubt. Through Reality Therapy, Jasmine identified that her need for power as competence was deeply unmet.
Instead of blaming her job or coworkers, she began to:
- Set daily intentions to speak up in meetings
- Take a leadership role in a new project
- Reconnect with professional development goals
- Reframe her identity from “invisible” to “emerging leader”
As she implemented small changes and reclaimed her sense of mastery, Jasmine’s energy, motivation, and well-being improved dramatically.
Avoiding False Power: A Warning Sign
When people feel disempowered for too long, they may seek “false power” through:
- Controlling others
- Being argumentative or oppositional
- Engaging in self-destructive behaviors to feel “in charge”
- Rigid perfectionism or chronic people-pleasing
Reality Therapy helps clients recognize these patterns as ineffective strategies for meeting their power need and offers healthier alternatives rooted in choice, skill-building, and personal responsibility.[6]
Conclusion: Power as an Inner Resource
In Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, power is not about control—it’s about connection to one’s own competence, voice, and value. When individuals are supported in developing this internal power, they are more likely to make responsible choices, build meaningful relationships, and live with greater purpose and satisfaction.[7]
Therapists, educators, and leaders who understand this concept can help others unlock their full potential, not through force or pressure, but by helping them rediscover their strength, one empowered choice at a time.
Join us for our 8-Week Certificate Course on Reality Therapy!
🗓 Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
⏰ Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Eastern Time
📍 Location: Online
[1] Bradley, Ezrina L. “Choice theory and reality therapy: an overview.” International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy 34.1 (2014): 6.
[2] Wubbolding, Robert E. Reality therapy and self-evaluation: The key to client change. John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
[3] Wubbolding, Robert E. “The voice of William Glasser: Accessing the continuing evolution of reality therapy.” Journal of Mental Health Counseling 37.3 (2015): 189-205.
[4] Verma, Chetna. “REALITY THERAPY: CRAFTING MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH CHOICE AND RESPONSIBILITY.” Shree Jagannath Medical College and Hospital, Puri, Odisha: 96.
[5] Arab, Arefe, and Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee. “The magic of WDEP in reality therapy.” European Journal of Psychology Open (2023).
[6] Rachin, Richard L. “Reality therapy: Helping people help themselves.” Crime & Delinquency 20.1 (1974): 45-53.
[7] Idros, Siti Masnita Md, and M. A. S. M. Arip. “Construction, Validaty and Realiability Client Needs Inventory Based on Choice Theory and Reality Therapy (CTRT).” International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development 12.3 (2023).