Have you ever heard of the illusion of control in therapy?This is a very interesting and important topic for those who perform psychological counseling.
There are times in our lives when we wonder if it would be practical to go to a psychologist, we hesitate, we are afraid and we ask the people we live with, we can even look for alternative medicines and pseudoscientific therapies to find a little peace We try to find a way out and go to a specialist Sometimes the well can be so deep that we think that all hope has been lost in the absence of light.
Who’s doing this? Not many people go into a well, sit in the back and start thinking. -Haruki Murakami-
Once the goals were set with the therapist and with the basic energy and availability, we moved forward, the mountain that seemed inaccessible begins to seem accessible. Are we improving and starting to make our own progress, do we believe more and more in ourselves?At that moment, phrases like “I can do it”, “right now nothing bad has happened”, “in what is wrong, I discover good times”. However, when is the time to stop therapy?
The illusion of control is known to all psychologists and all people, even if they have not thought about it. Among the tools of reasoning and thought that human beings develop, we have distortions.
One of the best known is the idea of control, which refers to the feeling of mastering or controlling elements that don’t really depend on us, the clearest example is that of the casino player who plans to use strategies on elements of an uncontrollable game. (such as roulette).
“Reality is but the ability of our senses to make mistakes. “Albert Einstein.
During therapy, and especially in certain diseases, there is a risk associated with this idea of control, in psychology sessions one of the problems that can arise is precisely this illusion, it is natural that as we get rid of many negative bonds and chains of thought, we reach a point of well-being where doubt disappears.
Think, “Am I all right now? It’s positive, but you have to contrast that thinking with reality and never lose sight of the perspective. This is one of the goals that psychologists should work together on therapy. Among all the possible reasons why a person can “Stop undergoing psychological therapy, the illusion of control is one of the most harmful because of the consequences of unexpected relapses.
When we get to this stage of therapy, where we get results, follow the guidelines and even set goals and make decisions, we are at the beginning of well-being, it is very positive.
However, giving up harmful thoughts and bad habits does not mean “controlling. ” It is at this stage of therapy that we must be more attentive and not give up what has made us better. If the initial requirement has been met, it is preferable to develop a prevention plan that gives continuity to the results obtained in therapy. In the follow-up phases, the difficulties associated with the improvement strategies are addressed.
“You can do whatever you want to do. You’re strong and capable. You’re neither fragile nor vulnerable. When he postpones what he would like to do now for a future time, he surrenders to evasion, doubt and, worse, self-deception. -Wayne Dyer-
What happens when we have a family member or close family member at that time?Ideally, it is to strengthen the maintenance of the new habits and strategies that have made it possible to achieve it. Pay attention to self-deception. Certainly, the therapist gradually schedules fortnightly, monthly, quarterly, and semetal sessions before the final launch.
Will the follow-up process begin? And supervision. At this point, the question may arise as to whether I am well or if my loved one is well. The risk is to be left alone in the statement? When it is important to face this illusion of control, to evaluate the progress made, not the goal achieved. We cannot forget that the objective is a consequence of the small objectives achieved.
“Success is not achieved only with special qualities. Is it mostly a job of regularity, method and organization?J. P. Sergeant?