Method of Levels (MOL) is a psychotherapeutic approach rooted in Perceptual Control Theory (PCT). Developed by William T. Powers and further shaped by Tim Carey, MOL views psychological problems as control problems—situations where a person experiences conflicts between competing goals or a loss of control that cannot be effectively resolved.
MOL is distinctive in its simplicity and theoretical foundation. The therapist’s role is minimal yet impactful, focusing on two key actions:
- Asking curious questions that connect with where the client’s attention is at the present moment
- Noticing signals of background thoughts or semi-conscious perceptions and acknowledging these
Four balanced principles guide MOL sessions:
- Client Control: The client determines the session’s timing, content, and direction
- Exploration: The therapist maintains curiosity about all aspects of what’s bothering the client without judgment
- Noticing: The therapist observes verbal and non-verbal signals that might indicate other involved control systems
- Sustain awareness: Rather than avoiding painful experiences, the therapist helps staying with the discomfort in order to allow reorganisation to occur.
Through this process, MOL facilitates reorganisation—the natural healing mechanism that helps resolve internal conflicts. When successful, clients often experience a shift in perspective, integration of experiences, or new insights that restore their sense of control.
Unlike many therapeutic approaches, MOL therapists deliberately avoid summarizing, structuring, interpreting, diagnosing, or advising. Instead, they create space for the client’s own reorganisation process to unfold naturally in the here-and-now of the therapeutic conversation.
Explore Method of Levels
- Read a collection of MOL papers and posts on this site: https://www.iapct.org/category/themes/method-of-levels
MOL is studied and practiced all over the globe, with practioners based mostly based in Argentina, Australia, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, working both face-to-face and online.
Find an MOL therapist or supervisor
Find an MOL therapist or supervisor suiting your needs [link to separate page with list of MOL practitioners with details, highlighting the accredited ones]
Learning MOL
There are many ways to learn how to do MOL.
Read one or more of the available guidebooks:
- Carey, T. A. (2006). The method of levels: How to do psychotherapy without getting in the way. Living Control Systems Publishers.
- Carey, T. A. (2008). Hold That Thought: Two Steps to Effective Counselling and Psychotherapy with the Method of Levels.
- Carey, T. A., Mansell, W., & Tai, S. J. (2015). Principles-Based Counselling and Psychotherapy: A Method of Levels approach. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315695778
- Mansell, W., Carey, T. A., & Tai, S. J. (2013). A Transdiagnostic Approach to CBT using Method of Levels Therapy. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203081334
Find an MOL training programme available to you [list of sites offering training online or offline, perhaps on a separate page]
Find a supervision or intervision group to learn and practice together [list available groups + contact options, perhaps on a separate page]
Get accreditation
Find out more about the IAPCT’s MOL accreditation procedure: https://www.iapct.org/themes/method-of-levels/mol-accreditation