What Is Human Givens? by Annie Gurton

Human Givens is the name given to a relatively new school of psychotherapy which draws upon ‘the best of the rest’. Drawing together the most proven aspects of Jungian, Rogerian, Adlerian, Eriksonian, NLP, and NVC theories and practice, founders Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrrell have masterminded a way to bring intelligent understanding of mental illnesses and emotional pain in a practical and common-sense framework offering workable techniques for helping those experiencing mental unhappiness.

Human Givens is founded on the idea that, above the most fundamental human needs such as air to breathe, food, warmth, shelter and security, human beings also have innate emotional needs without which they quickly become emotionally fragile, distressed or ill. These needs include the requirement for respect, privacy, meaning, intimate and secure relationships, and to have our minds and skills stretched and challenged.

Alongside these ‘needs’ we are also given certain resources, such as memory, intelligence, a rational mind, the ability to create rapport with others, an ability to step out of ourselves and see ourselves objectively (known as the Observing Self), and the ability to dream. There are also other resources, such as a sense of a moral compass, a desire to nurture and care for others, a sense of humour and a sense of compassion. These are all things which make us human, and although we share some with other creatures, the whole set is what makes us unique among other animals.

The Human Givens theory posits that these resources are there for individuals to help themselves into happy healthy living if their needs are not being met, although it may require a therapist trained in understanding the Human Givens to act as observer and catalyst to help them out of the state of anxiety, anger, depression or fear that they have got into, and back onto the road of recovery. A therapist trained in the Human Givens approach will utilise the particular resources of each individual clients and empower the client to change their thinking so that they can rapidly return to healthy living.

A typical session with a Human Givens trained therapist will start with information-gathering, in which the client will give an outline of the problem. This may relate back to a childhood incident or a recent event, or a series of events which have led to their current state of unhappiness. The therapist will then take a pro-active role in helping the client, through a combination of relaxation and visualisation techniques, to change the processes and patterns in the brain. By viewing things differently, the client will leave the first session already on the path towards good mental health. These are the major differences between Human Givens and other forms of counselling and therapy: not only does the therapist not need to dig deep into the past and go over and over painful memories (these are in the clients mind, there is no need to repeat them for the therapist), but right from the first session the client can start to feel better.

Humans Givens is very effective and fast for most, but there are a few people that it does not work for. These are usually on the autistic/Aspergers spectrum. Their brains are wired slightly differently, and they are not receptive to the use of imagination and rapport that non-Aspergers/autistic people find easy to utilise.

However for 95% of the population, Human Givens offers an impressive, non-intrusive and calming way of overcoming problems which may be deep-seated. It is particularly effective in cases where some past trauma causes flash-backs or nightmares, or the client experiences anxiety or depression. But it can also help in any case where an individual feels fears, doubts, uncertainty or pain.

When we feel emotionally fulfilled and are operating effectively within society, we are more likely to be mentally healthy and stable. But when too many innate physical and emotional needs are not being met in the environment, or when our resources are used incorrectly, unwittingly or otherwise, we suffer considerable distress. And so do those around us.

For more about Human Givens please contact Annie Gurton who has been trained in the Human Givens approach to psychotherapy and counselling, or go to the Human Givens Institute web site.

Copyright 2008 Annie Gurton