Locus of Control

 Locus of control is a topic that I think is highly important, yet it is rarely discussed. I had a score of 10 on the Rotter’s scale, and it makes perfect sense. It is closer to having an internal locus of control. I mainly believe that I am responsible for the way my life turns out. Sometimes though, I do question why certain things happen to me and I cannot do anything about it. I will start to get the feeling of defeat and being let down. I actively try to look at most situations with the outlook of, “How can I fix it? What can I change or do to make this situation better?”. At the end of the day, we cannot be mad at the world because of things that happen to us. It’s up to us to fix it. 

I believe as a future OT practitioner, it is highly necessary to understand this concept when it comes down to treating the array of clients that we will see. It is best to encourage having an internal locus of control. It will be my responsibility to instill self-motivation and determination in my clients to aid them in a successful recovery. I would have to understand that this way of thinking is not easy, and I will have to be aware that some clients may rely heavily on an external locus of control. This reliance can make or break the client in terms of them realizing that their recovery is almost solely reliable on them. The therapist will be there to guide and support, but it will be up to them and what they do when they are away from therapy that really matters. 

When dealing with a client who has an external locus of control, the therapist will need to uplift the client though being patient, providing encouragement, including the client in the therapy planning process, and just genuinely helping the client to see their abilities. The therapist will also have to be cautious of how much they are pouring into the client, because it could become draining and a recurring cycle. Most things are easier said than done, but with intentionality and dedication, I believe that anyone can achieve a mindset with internal locus of control.