A communications controller (1013) is provided for empowering the user of a communications device, such as a telephone or other device, to assume control over incoming communications. Each caller is identified (1003) by unique identification information associated with an incoming communication. The user selects one of a plurality of different priority levels for a particular caller. The user also selects block time intervals for each priority to indicate times during which calls will not be passed to user's communications device or other appropriate action is to be taken. When that particular caller places a call to the user, the user's communication controller determines the caller's identification information and recalls the priority and corresponding blocking time interval for that particular caller. The call is accordingly passed to the communication device or blocked.