ABSTRACT
In addition to their potential for providing the theoretical basis for the overall design and delivery of secondary mental healthcare services, Perceptual Control Theory principles have also informed an approach to individual psychotherapy: the Method of Levels. This chapter introduces the Method of Levels (MOL), which is a flexible approach to psychotherapy that aims to help people resolve conflicts and regain control over their lives. It is argued that the approach is ideally placed to overcome the barriers that currently limit the delivery of psychological therapies in secondary mental healthcare. Practical guidance on the use of the MOL in secondary care is provided, along with a detailed account of a typical therapy session. A system of patient-led appointment scheduling, which gives patients control over key parameters of therapy, is also described.
