Questions
Q. The whole approach looks very unscientific to me, how do you explain that?
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A. I suppose any back-to-basics approach, one founded on simple laws governing all life forms and every human society will appear 'unscientific'. Storytelling as a therapeutic process may look unscientific, but it is one factor inherent in societies that have little or no depression. As it turns out, the pre-language, pre-thought dream process uses imagery and metaphor so storytelling helps us model the benefits for emotional health that dreaming provides. Fortunately, the Human Givens ideas were embraced or discarded on what works, not according to some arbitrary notion of what appears scientific.
Q. My husband has just lost his job after 28 years. He has lost all interest in life. He says he is not depressed, but I say he is. Could you help him?
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A. It might be useful for your husband to know that in our culture, work is a major source of meaning for us; it meets important emotional needs as well as income. So rather than focus on whether he is or isn't depressed, he might feel more hopeful and better able to cope with the changes in his life if new ways of getting those needs met were explored during a session with a Human Givens therapist.
Q. I have a close friend suffering from post-natal depression and nothing seems to have worked for her. What can I do to help my friend?
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A. Firstly, don't underestimate your capacity as 'close friend' to influence change. It could be that your understanding of what depression is - an imbalance between high energy REM sleep and slow wave restorative sleep; and what causes it - excessive worrying over needs not being met (including, with a newborn, the need for sleep) could be very helpful for your friend. This could engender a sense of control in your friend. Depression is bad enough without the feeling of powerlessness as well.
My approach would be to create this sense of hope and control in the first session, and in the two or three follow-up sessions, support those strategies that increase the likelihood of physical and emotional needs being met in that period of change that newborns bring.
Q. How soon can I expect to feel better?
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A. I have had people feel noticeably better the next day - especially those who put in place some activity that gave them a feeling of completion or pleasure following the therapy session. This activity, as well as the relaxing therapy session can lead to a better nights' sleep and raises the likelihood of feeling refreshed and ready to do things the next day. Emotions prepare us for action, they have an expectation that action will mean needs being met. Activity that discharges this expectation is better than the unfulfilled expectations and unmet needs caused by inactivity and worry.
Q. How long does a therapy session last?
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A. Allow two hours for the initial consultation, and about 90 minutes for any follow-up sessions.
Q. Psychologists have years of training to help people with depression, how could someone with a certificate or diploma be effective?
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A. Hmmm, I must say that, while I loved psychology at uni, after eight years in private practice I am left feeling that a lot of what I studied made great essay topics but has little to offer the emotionally distressed people in front of me. In any profession, years of study does not necessarily mean greater effectiveness.
Q. I am worried about my son, he is losing interest in school, has given up playing footy, and whenever I try to talk about it he clams up. How could a session with you help me deal with it?
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A. Teenage depression is a major mental health issue, and the research shows that many young people don't like talking about their feelings and avoid treatment. So, equipping parents to deal with low mood at the emotional level without talking about it is a great start. The major appeal of the approach is that it is based on 'givens' or bedrock truths, and these are intuitive - the ideas and strategies resonate with people. Because the ideas make sense at a fundamental level, people quickly gain confidence in their ability to make a difference. In a sense it shouldn't surprise us, because so-called primitive societies still have the ability to deal with emotional problems within families, using human capacities that are innate.
Q. What are the risks, or what could go wrong with this type of therapy?
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A. As people feel better as a result of HG therapy, they begin to feel like they no longer need medications. It is important that any medication changes occur under the supervision of their doctor.
Q. Are your fees claimable from Medicare?
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A. No. It will be some years before the approach is widespread enough to be recognised as a mainstream treatment.
