Week 4: How Emotional Needs and Resources Interact

Hello I’m Lee Allison a trainee Human Givens therapist based in Jersey Channel Islands. Welcome to this week’s blog which is all about the interplay between our emotional needs and our innate resources. Understanding this connection can be really helpful in identifying our natural strengths and abilities.

One of the central insights of the Human Givens approach is that our emotional needs and innate resources are not separate systems, they’re fluid, dynamic, and constantly interacting. Emotional needs such as connection, security, autonomy, and meaning signal what our mind requires to stay in balance. Our innate resources like imagination, rational thinking, memory, empathy, and problem solving are the tools we draw on to meet those needs.

When those needs go unmet, or when our resources are blocked or misused, emotional distress becomes the mind’s way of signalling imbalance. For instance, someone might have strong problem solving abilities (a resource), but if their need for emotional connection is neglected, they may overthink in isolation, fuelling anxiety or self doubt. Similarly, a person with a vivid imagination might flourish creatively, but if that same imagination turns inward and amplifies fear or self criticism, it can lead to rumination and depression.

Recognising this interplay between needs and resources helps us understand why emotional health depends on alignment, not just awareness. The Human Givens approach focuses on restoring this balance, helping people use what’s already within them to meet what’s missing.

Therapies that work with existing resources tend to be more efficient and empowering. Evidence supporting brief, resource focused approaches, including single session and solution focused therapies, shows that meaningful change can occur quickly when the right internal tools are engaged.

This week, try observing a situation where you feel stressed or out of balance and ask yourself:

Which emotional need isn’t being met right now and which of my resources could I draw on to meet it?

Even noticing this connection can broaden our perspective on how we feel and behave.

If you would like to book a free 20min discussion to discuss your mental health then please feel free to contact me.

— Lee Allison

References:
1. Human Givens Institute – Emotional Needs. https://www.hgi.org.uk/resources/healthy-living/emotional-needs
2. Kim J., et al. (2023). Effectiveness of single session therapy for adult common mental disorders (BMC Psychology). https://bmcpsychology.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40359-023-01410-0
3. Griffin, J. & Tyrrell, I. (2003). Human Givens: The New Approach to Emotional Health and Clear Thinking. HG Publishing.