About Us
What are Human Givens?
We are all born with innate knowledge programmed into our genes. Throughout life we experienced this knowledge as feelings of physical and emotional needs. These feelings evolved over millions of years. They are our common biological inheritance, whatever our cultural background. They are the driving force that motivates us to become fully human and succeed in whatever environment we find ourselves in. It is because they are incorporated into our biology at conception that we call them ‘human givens’.
Human Givens Psychotherapy is the therapy which has evolved based on this understanding of human nature. It is evidence-based, incorporating effective techniques research has demonstrated work, informed by a variety of approaches including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Neuroscientific insights, Positive Psychology, and Neurolinguistics.
Given physical needs
As animals we are born into a material world where we need air to breathe, water, nutritious food and sufficient sleep. These are the paramount physical needs. Without them we quickly die. In addition we also need the freedom to stimulate our senses and exercise our muscles. We instinctively seek sufficient and secure shelter where we can grow and reproduce ourselves and bring up our young. These physical needs are intimately bound up with our emotional needs – the main focus of the human givens psychology.
“If our emotional needs are met in balance we cannot be unwell.”
Given emotional needs
Emotions create distinctive psychobiological states in us
and drive us to take action. The emotional needs that nature has programmed us with are there to connect us with the external world, particularly to other people, and to survive in it. They seek their fulfilment though the way we interact with our environment. Consequently when these needs are not met in the world, nature ensures that we suffer distress: anxiety, anger, depression etc. and our expression of that distress, in whatever form it takes, has an impact on us and those around us.
People whose emotional needs are met in a balanced way do not suffer mental health problems. Along with these physical and emotional needs nature has given us an internal guidance system to help us get these needs met. We call these ‘resources’. Our resources are the capabilities we have that enable us to meet our emotional needs.
Our Emotional needs include
Security
We all need to feel safe and have an environment that allows us to develop fully
Attention
Everyone needs attention - to give and receive it - a form of nutrition
Sense of autonomy and control
We need to feel we have volition to make responsible choices
Being emotionally connected to others
We all need friends and know that at least one person accepts us for who we are ‘warts and all’
Feeling part of a wider community
We all need to be part of a group and belong
Privacy
We also need time on our own which gives us the opportunity to reflect and consolidate experience
Sense of status within social groupings
We need to feel recognised for our abilities and for what we have achieved
Sense of competence and achievement
We need to feel we are competent, to grow and achieve our goals
Meaning and purpose
We get our meaning and purpose from being stretched in what we do and think, from being needed by others, and also by having an overarching philosophical view of life, to be part of the ‘big picture’
Resources
Along with these physical and emotional needs, nature has given us an internal guidance system to help us get these needs met. We call these ‘resources’. Our resources are the capabilities we have that enable us to meet our emotional needs. Some of our Resources include:
Long-Term Memory
Ability to connect with others
Imagination
Emotions and Instincts
A Rational Mind
A Pattern-Matching Brain
An Observing Self
A Dreaming Brain
All of these resources enable us to get our physical and emotional needs met
FAQs
+ Where does the name Human Givens come from?
Essentially it describes the basis of the approach, we focus on what is a ‘given’ about humans, that is, we have needs (physical and emotional) and resources that help us meet those needs.
+ What are the emotional needs?
Physiologists agree that due to the fact that humans are social beings we have developed emotional or social needs such as: the need for security, attention, volition, friendship and intimacy, community, status, privacy, competence and meaning and purpose.
+ How long does it take?
The Human Givens approach is a brief solutions-focused approach which aims to help in as few sessions as possible, research has shown that for the majority three or four sessions will be sufficient. Obviously we are all unique so the number of sessions varies from person to person but your therapist should be able to give you an idea after the first session.
+ How much does it cost?
Therapists fees range between €100 to €150 per session and each session lasts approximately 75 to 90 minutes. Individual therapists often offer a sliding scale in the case of financial difficulties.
+ Do all the therapists work from this approach?
Yes, all the therapists in the Dublin Human Givens centre work from the Human Givens approach and are all members of the Human Givens Institute.
+ Can I just come for one session and try it out?
Yes, we would often recommend this as it is important that you are happy both with your therapist and the approach.
+ What happens if I need a lot of sessions?
If you need more than the average number of sessions you can discuss this with your therapist and they will assist you in learning skills and developing techniques to foster your independence and empower you.
+ Can I have a discount or do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes, our therapists offer a sliding scale, please discuss with your preferred therapist
+ If I book more than three can I have a discount?
While we are happy to offer a sliding scale, we do not offer discounts for booking several sessions in advance, this is due to the fact that you may only need one or two sessions or you may have some difficulty in attending and if you have paid in advance for more than that, it can cause confusion.