New Video Interview: Ivan Tyrrell in Conversation with Laurie Castelli-Gair
A new two-part interview with Ivan Tyrrell, co-founder of the Human Givens approach, is now available to watch. Recorded in conversation with Human Givens therapist Laurie Castelli-Gair, the interview spans the intellectual origins of the HG framework, its clinical applications, and its deeper philosophical foundations.
The discussion will be of interest to practitioners at all stages of their training and career – both as a resource to share with clients and the public, and as a substantive exploration of ideas that remain central to Human Givens practice.
Part 1: Origins, theory, and therapeutic application
The first part of the interview covers Ivan‘s path into psychology and the story of his collaboration with Joe Griffin, tracing the development of Human Givens from its earliest conceptual foundations to its current form as an evidence-based, solution-focused therapeutic model.
Topics include: the nine innate human needs and resources; the brain as a pattern-matching organ; emotional arousal and vulnerability; the APET model; the role of REM sleep and the expectation fulfilment theory of dreaming; the therapeutic application of hypnosis and guided imagery; and the place of Human Givens in settings including healthcare, education, and the workplace. Ivan also presents a case study illustrating effective trauma treatment within the approach.
Part 2: Consciousness, the commanding self, and the wider framework
The second part of the conversation moves into more philosophical territory, exploring the ideas that underpin the broader Human Givens worldview — including the nature of consciousness, human evolution, and the concept of the commanding self. Ivan draws on The Godhead: The Brain’s Big Bang (Griffin & Tyrrell) and reflects on the influence of Idries Shah on the development of Human Givens thinking.
These ideas offer important context for practitioners working to understand not just the techniques of the HG approach, but the organising framework from which they emerge.
Sharing with clients and the public
Both parts of the interview are freely accessible and suitable for sharing with clients, colleagues, and anyone with an interest in mental health and wellbeing. They offer an accessible but intellectually substantive introduction to the Human Givens approach, and may be particularly useful for those new to the framework or looking to deepen their understanding of its foundations.