The WDEP System: A Key Component of Reality Therapy

The WDEP system[1] is a foundational tool in Reality Therapy[2], a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. William Glasser. It provides a structured method for helping individuals take responsibility for their actions, make informed choices, and work toward fulfilling their needs. The WDEP system is a useful framework for clinicians, and educators to guide individuals in their journey of self-discovery and behavior change.

Understanding the WDEP System
The WDEP system[3] consists of four key components: Wants, Doing, Evaluation, and Planning. Each step helps individuals examine their current behaviors and make intentional, positive changes. Let’s explore each part in detail:

Wants:
The first step in the WDEP system is to identify what the individual truly wants or needs.[4] This step is essential because all behavior is driven by the desire to fulfill one or more basic needs, such as survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. By clarifying what a person wants, the therapist helps them connect their behaviors to their unmet needs, offering a starting point for change.

Questions to ask:

1. What do you want to achieve?
2. What is it that you need or desire in your life?
3. How do you want to feel or behave?

Doing:
The next step is to examine the individual’s current behaviors. This includes identifying what they are doing to meet their needs and whether these behaviors are effective.[5] Sometimes, individuals may not be aware of how their actions are hindering their goals. Reality Therapy encourages individuals to focus on their present actions and evaluate whether they are in line with their desires.

Questions to ask:

1. What are you doing right now to meet your needs?
2. Are your current actions helping you achieve what you want?
3. What behavior patterns have you noticed in yourself?

Evaluation:
Evaluation is a critical part of the process, as it encourages individuals to assess whether their current behaviors are effective in fulfilling their needs. If the behavior is not working, the individual is encouraged to make a change. This step promotes self-reflection and accountability, helping individuals gain insight into their actions and take responsibility for their choices.[6]

Questions to ask:

1. Is what you’re doing working?
2. How does your current behavior make you feel?
3. What are the consequences of your actions?

Planning:
The final step is to create a realistic and actionable plan for change. The individual is encouraged to develop alternative behaviors that are more likely to meet their needs and align with their goals. This step involves setting specific, attainable goals and creating a clear roadmap for how to achieve them. Planning focuses on empowering individuals to make intentional choices that will lead to more fulfilling and productive outcomes.

Questions to ask:

1. What can you do differently?
2. What steps can you take to achieve your goals?
3. What support or resources do you need to follow through with your plan?

Applications of the WDEP System
The WDEP system is not limited to a specific population or setting. It can be effectively applied in various therapeutic contexts, including:

1. Mental Health Counseling: Helping individuals address issues such as depression, anxiety, and relationship problems by focusing on their current behaviors and goals.
2. Education: Assisting students in taking responsibility for their learning and behavior, leading to more effective academic and social outcomes.[7]
3. Substance Use Treatment: Encouraging individuals to assess their behaviors and make healthier choices in overcoming addiction.
4. Corrections: Supporting individuals in re-entry programs to identify better ways of meeting their needs and transitioning to a productive life.

Benefits of the WDEP System

1. Empowerment: By focusing on choice and responsibility, the WDEP system helps individuals feel empowered to take control of their lives and make positive changes.
2. Clarity: The systematic approach provides clarity, helping individuals identify their goals and actions in a structured manner.
3. Self-Reflection: The evaluation step encourages self-awareness, prompting individuals to reflect on their behaviors and the consequences they produce.
4. Goal-Oriented: The planning step provides a clear path for individuals to move from contemplation to action, promoting lasting change.

Conclusion
The WDEP system is a powerful tool in Reality Therapy that encourages individuals to take responsibility for their choices and behavior. By focusing on Wants, Doing, Evaluation, and Planning, the system helps individuals create actionable plans for meeting their needs in healthy, productive ways. This approach can be applied in various settings, from mental health counseling to education and beyond, empowering individuals to make meaningful changes in their lives.

Discover the Power of Reality Therapy
Are you interested in learning more about Reality Therapy and how it empowers individuals through choice and responsibility?

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⏰ Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
📍 Location: Online

This engaging conference will explore the principles, applications, and transformative potential of Reality Therapy in mental health, education, and beyond.

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[1] Arab, Arefe, and Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee. “The Magic of WDEP in Reality Therapy.” European Journal of Psychology Open (2023).

[2] Glasser, William. “Reality therapy.” The evolution of psychotherapy: The second conference. Routledge, 2014.

[3] Wubbolding, Robert E., Willa J. Casstevens, and Michael H. Fulkerson. “Using the WDEP system of Reality Therapy to support person‐centered treatment planning.” Journal of Counseling & Development 95.4 (2017): 472-477.

[4] Arab, Arefe, and Anahita Khodabakhshi-Koolaee. “The magic of WDEP in reality therapy: Improving intimacy needs and personal communication in married males.” European Journal of Psychology Open 81.3 (2022): 97.

[5] Wubbolding, Robert. Counselling with reality therapy. Routledge, 2017.

[6] Wubbolding, Robert E. “Counseling for results: Reality therapy in action.” (2019).

[7] Nurbaiti, Nindy Ayu, and Iis Latifah Nuryanto. “Effectiveness of Group Counseling using Wants, Direction, Evaluation, Planning (WDEP) Techniques to Improve Students’ Responsibility Attitude.” Journal of Education and Counseling (JECO) 5.1 (2024): 19-28.