Control-Mastery Theory and Contemporary Social Work Practice

Abstract

Control‐mastery theory is a cognitive relational psychoanalytic approach to psychological functioning that assumes that people are strongly motivated to adapt to their interpersonal world. The theory hypothesizes that unconscious pathogenic beliefs, originating in actual experiences, are an important source of psychopathology. Clients work to disconfirm their pathogenic beliefs by testing the therapist in the transference. Control‐mastery theory is unusual in that it has had a multidisciplinary research component from its beginning. In its emphasis on adaptation, competence, and empirically validated practice, control‐mastery theory is highly congruent with social work values.

Keywords:

• Control‐mastery theory
• psychotherapy
• pathogenic beliefs
• transference