Why was the human givens approach developed?

If you could read a potted history of psychotherapy you would see an evolution of break-neck speed from the birth of the field to the chaotic situation of today, where we have at least 650 models of counselling and psychotherapy. Although many of these offer some effective techniques and useful insights, overall we have an uncoordinated disarray of theories, terminology and methods, which causes confusion among both health professionals and those in need of help.

Mature sciences like chemistry, physics and engineering are built on a broad common ground of understanding. Despite the wealth of psychological and neuroscientific knowledge available to us, this is currently lacking in psychotherapy. It was to address this lack that the human givens overarching idea was first proposed.

Psychologists Joe Griffin and Ivan Tyrrell, co-founders of the human givens approach, looked to the fundamental principles of what it means to be human to develop a simple, robust, scientifically up-to-date, coordinated and agreed bio-psycho-social model of healthy human functioning: a shared language and a practical framework upon which to build an effective, integrative approach to emotional health which truly understands us as human beings with human needs.

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How a modified version of the rewind technique helped heal the emotional wounds of a family subjected to savage violence in a country torn by civil war.
“I was Angela long before I became a self-harmer”

Self-harm is still a taboo subject. Angela shares her experience of self-harm and the impact it had on her life before taking the first steps to recovery.
Giving hope in troubled times

Carol Harper considers how the Human Givens approach can help us to manage expectations, adapt to our new reality and develop resilience
"It's what's right with you that fixes what's wrong"

Chris Dyas vividly describes how he teaches troubled children to be their own therapists.
“Use the breath. It’s easier”

Sam Gerrard explores the benefits of 7:11 breathing and shares the results of his own and others’ research into the technique
The evolution of the human givens approach

John Halker interviews Joe Griffin (co-founder of the human givens approach) at the human givens conference 2018.