Mission Statement

Welcome to the Behavior OnLine Forum on Control Mastery Theory!

This Forum will provide an opportunity to discuss Weiss's views on how psychotherapy and the mind works. This theory, often referred to as Control Mastery Theory, emphasizes how patients work in treatment to gain control over unconscious processes, to master traumatic events and overcome their problems. Originated by Joseph Weiss, M.D. this theory has been developed and tested by Weiss, Sampson and the San Francisco Psychotherapy group for over 20 years.

We hope to cover a wide range of topics on the theory, research and practice of Control Mastery Theory. As this theory is applicable for a wide variety of patients, we can cover topics such as: brief therapy, dream work, the treatment of patients who have been sexually abused, chemically dependent patients, family, couple and child treatment. We can compare and contrast Control Mastery Theory with other contemporary theories.

There is a very unique large and active research component to this work which allows us to see whether Weiss's hypothesizes can be supported through rigorous scientific research methods.

Practical questions can be covered such as: What are patients goals in treatment? What are the factors that contribute to our patients' problems and inhibitions? What insights will most help patients' progress? What interventions will be most helpful in a given hour?

This forum is open to all who have an interest in learning and discussing Weiss's approach. Skeptics and critics are welcome as well. We hope to learn from each other. We anticipate a lively and frank examination of how to best help our patients progress in therapy. Questions and comments are welcome from experienced to beginning clinicians.

Just remember that this is a public forum. If you use case examples in your posts, be sure to use pseudonyms and to change any potentially identifying information in order to preserve confidentiality.

• Clarification by Ed Riemann LCSW, 12/1/96
  • Control Mastery in Action by Gil Levin, 12/2/96
• Case Specific by Jessica Broitman, 12/2/96
  • Could this be applied in work w/medical pts? by Ellen Dornelas, Ph.D., 12/10/96
    • Access Points by Jessica Broitman, 12/10/96
      • Using C-M with smokers after m.i. by Ellen Dornelas, 12/12/96
• March Workshop on Control Mastery Theory by Jessica Broitman, 12/6/96
• Control Mastery Bibliography by Jessica Broitman, 12/6/96
• Overview of Research on Control Mastery Theory by Weiss, Sampson and O'Connor, 12/10/96