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.
Explore our articles and interviews
Give your 2019 resolutions a positive spin
How’s your New Year resolve bearing up? What went through your mind as the bells rang in 2019? Julia Welstead discusses how reframing, visualising and rehearsing your own success are often the keys to achieving what you want, and to making your New Year resolution a permanent behaviour pattern in your life...
A cloud lifted...
Studying to become a counsellor would give her the skills to help people, thought Frances Masters. It didn’t … until she came across the human givens approach.
7-11 breathing: How does deep breathing make you feel more relaxed?
With mindfulness now all the rage, many online articles are now advocating breathing techniques as a way to lessen anxiety and control stress levels.
Lifting depression is easy to do — when you know its cause
An article about the human givens approach that appeared in the major American publication, Family Therapy Magazine.
Don’t Worry, Be Happy… and Overcome Anxiety
Do you think of yourself as an anxious person? This can lead you to think that anxiety is your lot; that there is damn all you can do about it. Well, that isn’t true at all and you are confining yourself to a limiting box if you continue to believe that...
How we set up a human givens therapy centre
Gail Rhodes and Jenny Waddington describe their experience of establishing a small business to spread availability of the human givens approach.
Tipping the scales: an HG approach to weight management
Fiona Sheldon describes the impact of her human givens work in an NHS clinic for patients struggling with obesity.
Normal birth can be pain free
Sheila Barratt-Smith tells Denise Winn that the images and language used to describe birth can determine whether a woman experiences pain — or euphoria.
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2020 Conference - Save the date!
Our biennial HGI conferences are always a fun way to stay up-to-date and network with like-minded professionals.
HG Therapy now available via AVIVA
The Human Givens Institute is now listed as a regulatory body on Aviva’s private practice register.