Dr. Grisel Lopez-Escobar, PhD (in Counseling),
Licensed Mental Health Counselor Providing Virtual Therapy to Adult Clients
in the States of AK, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, ID, IN, LA, MA, ME, NV, OR, SC, TX, UT, VT, WI & WY, USA
Specializing in Supporting Clients who are Newly Secular or Deconstructing from High Control Religions, Groups or Cults: Religious Trauma / Faith Crisis, Religious Deconstruction / Purity Culture / Religious Residue / Mixed-Faith Relationships / Secular Therapy
External Locus of Control / of Responsibility
The belief that one’s outcomes are entirely controlled by external forces (e.g., a deity, leaders), rather than by personal agency.
You were taught that only a deity controls your life events.
You felt guilty for things you couldn't control because you thought you "let God down."
You made life decisions based solely on religious leaders’ interpretations.
Potential clinical implications (especially in high control settings)
Disempowerment and difficulty with self-efficacy.
Struggles with autonomy and decision-making.
Confusion over personal responsibility vs. divine will.