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Human Givens Therapy offers hope for Depression
Jan 15 2010
Have you vowed to turn over a new leaf? Are you struggling with depression, anxiety or trauma? Do you wish to tackle your smoking or drinking addiction? Or would you like to learn to relax and have more control over your life? A Therapy called Human Givens may be the stepping-stone to your success.
Human Givens is a scientific model of therapy, which was developed by an Irish Psychologist Joe Griffin. It looks at people's needs and recourses and helps to get their needs met. Once a persons needs are being met in balance then dramatic changes can occur. The need for attention, security, status and playing a part in the wider community are some of the needs that are inherent in the human race.
With depression, Human Givens works by focusing the client outwards and getting them off the worry circuit. Once a person can relax, they can begin to think straight and for themselves. Often a rapid improvement can be brought about in once or two sessions, as the client is helped to break out of their negative trance. The therapy does not dwell unduly on the past but moves the client on, by helping them to achieve the life skills they may be struggling with. If the client has been abused or traumatised by any past event, a technique known as the Rewind technique has proven to have rapid results with cases of posttraumatic stress disorder.
Admitting to bouts of depression can be difficult to do but Olive Robinson using Human Givens therapy, sees a change happening in Ireland. When I mention depression and the fact that Human Givens has had an 80% success rate in dealing with depression, most peoples face light up. They tell me their own stories of depression and believe me every Irish family has one. The stigma is slowly going out of the area of mental health. It has to for all our sakes, says Olive. The rates of depression are growing most rapidly within the 15-25 year old bracket, which is alarming. With Ireland's suicide rate matching our road deaths it's the silent killer we don't discuss as easily.
Like many people during this recession, you may be struggling with anxiety on a daily basis. Worrying about financial debt and an unpredictable future can take a serious grip on your mind. Health issues such as obesity, smoking and binge drinking are a worry for a lot of the population. Instead of taking action, most of us slip into the old pattern of worry. Worry feeds into our sleep pattern and causes us to wake up exhausted the next day. Thus the cycle of depression rears its head very easily.
Research findings have shown that the right kind of therapy has to be able to teach clients a way of relating to the world that challenges their depressive worldview. Human Givens draws on as many approaches as possible to lower emotional arousal and stop the negative introspection. The key approach is the use of guided imagery or visualisation, which helps to break down patterns that aren't serving the client well. It works on the principle that the brain is a ‘reality generator' what we give it is what we get. Most of us spend our time misusing our imagination, which is one of our most powerful tools.
Human Givens is the most recognised form of training for NHS professionals and slowly GPs and health professionals in Ireland are making the change and recommending it to clients.
I have clients that have been suffering depression for 10 years cured in two sessions. Depression can be easily cured if someone is ready and willing to make the changes.
The sporting profession is now tapping into visualisation as a key source of improving performance. It can also have an immediate effect on physical and chronic pain that may be have been caused by underlying stress and anxiety. It is easily used with addictions such as smoking and drinking, and for weight management and conditions such as anorexia and bulimia.
If you are involved with a community group, school, parents association or voluntary group Olive Robinson is available for talks on lifting depression, bullying, bereavement, and addiction. Phone Olive Robinson on 086 3019920.
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