A theory that human services professionals may use in working with clients is Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs. This theory presents a pyramid shape, consisting of different levels which each represent
different individual needs. The base of the pyramid consists of basic, physiological needs, such as
food, water, and shelter. To move beyond the base level of the pyramid, a person must first satisfy their
basic needs. The next level of the pyramid consists of an individual’s safety needs. For example,
protection from forms of violence and health, or financial, security. The remaining levels, in order, are
love and belonging needs, esteem, and self-actualization. Again, the needs of each level must be
addressed for someone to move upward in the pyramid.
A human services professional who works with people who are homeless may use Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs without even realizing it by focusing on the client’s physiological and safety needs
before others.
One theory that human service professionals use in working with clients is the problem solving
method or the strengths based model. This model allows for clients to identify the problems and focus
on resolution. Human service professionals take time to make positive relationships with clients, then
help their clients identify strengths and resources available to them, and then intervention begins. With
this process, "the helper encourages the client to think about past problems or situations that were
resolved effectively."(Woodside, 2018) Emphasizing strengths, resources, coping, possibilities, and
resilience, helps the client better understand their problem and the situation, and how to effectively
solve it. This approach focuses on positives, and allows for the client to develop problem-solving
skills on their own so well to the point where they will no longer need services. For example, when a
human service professional is talking to a client about a DUI they may have received, they can help
the client focus on the strengths of staying sober, the strengths of asking for help, and all the positive
things the client did throughout this journey to help them start problem solving.
Abraham Maslow developed the "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" theory in the 1940s. The approach is
predicated on the concept that human beings have specific fundamental requirements, which may be
ranked ascending or descending. These needs required for human survival, food, and shelter, the most
basic, are at the bottom of the hierarchy and progress to higher levels that address safety and security,
belonging, social, and self, while the drive to reach one's full potential or self-actualization, is at the
top (Woodside & McClam, 2018). One example of Maslow's hierarchy would be a theory of
motivation that corresponds to the pyramid-shaped structure shown below; it divides behavior into
five dimensions. Based on Maslow's theory, our actions are influenced by physiological and
psychological conditions gradually becoming more complex. He stressed that addressing higher-level
needs is difficult unless an individual's basic needs have been met (Maslow, 1971). Since clients are
often overwhelmed by the situation they face, their understanding of what they need or where to find
solutions or assistance is unclear. Therefore, in the helping process, addressing the most basic
requirements should be the starting point since it is usually the easiest to manage and provide the
client with immediate satisfaction. There is no one-way path through the hierarchy; some people may
move between different needs multiple times. Knowing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs can help
professionals limit the time spent analyzing clients' thinking and focus on what motivates them instead
(Woodside & McClam, 2018).
(Wickham,2021)
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs can be helpful in various ways when professionals conduct needs
assessments and communicate with clients. Using Maslow's hierarchy stages, a human services
professional can assess a client's basic needs and determine whether or not those needs are being met.
As well it allows you to prioritize clients' conditions. For example, a professional can use a hierarchy
to determine which obligations are most urgent and should take precedence when a client has multiple
requests. Then, as part of a meeting with a client, a professional will evaluate the client's basic
necessities; For example, in the case of homeless clients, a professional will determine their needs and
access to shelter. Should the client not have shelter access, they can offer assistance. As part of their
assessment, they will also evaluate those ascending needs, i.e., physical safety, love, and belonging,
and whether they have been met. Finally, to formulate client objectives and interventions, the same
principle applies. For instance, if a client requires shelter and the worker cannot provide it, they could
establish a goal to assist the client with housing placement. As no single theory or model fits all
clients' circumstances, human service professionals ought to combine theories and models with
treatments and services to meet clients' situations, considering clients' strengths and environments. By
combining different approaches, human services become stronger (Woodside & McClam, 2018).
A theory that human services professionals use when helping clients is Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
This theory explains that the needs of an individual exist in a linear order - hierarchy. These needs are
ranked as physiological (food, rest, shelter, water), safety (protection & security), social (acceptance &
love), esteem (recognition & independence), then self-actualization (Woodside & McClam, 2018). To
move up the hierarchy, the most basic needs, physiological, must be met first and so on. For example,
you cannot focus or be successful with safety needs if you do not have shelter and are hungry, thirsty,
and tired.
A helping professional might apply this theory in their work with a client by helping with someone
experiencing homelessness find housing. In addition, if a client is experiencing food insecurity, the
helping professional could connect or provide services for SNAP. If a client is stable in physiological
needs but just lost there job, a helping professional could help this individual find employment.
One theory that human service professionals use when working with clients is Maslow’s hierarchy of
needs. The theory proposes the idea that the needs of an individual exist in a hierarchy with the lowest
level needs being physiological such as food, clothing, and safety while the highest-level needs
include social relationships and self-esteem (Woodson & McClam, 2018, p. 201). According to the
theory, the higher-level needs cannot be addressed if those of the lower levels are not met. One
example of the theory’s application in the work of a human service professional would be their work
with clients who lost their home in a natural disaster. In the short term, meeting the physiological and
safety needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and water is of the highest priority to the helper. When an
individual is in such a life-threatening situation, they are not thinking about esteem needs or self-
actualization (Woodson & McClam, 2018, p. 201). That comes later in the helping process as clients
have their higher-level needs met once their lower-level ones are taken care of. This comes in the form
of moving the clients from shelters to permanent housing, helping them return to work, and providing
therapy to deal with the long-term psychological effects of the experience on the client.
References
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An introduction to human services (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
Woodside, M. R., McClam, T. c (2018). An Introduction to Human Services, 9th Edition. [[VitalSource
Bookshelf version]]. c Retrieved from vbk://9781337671262
Wickham, S. (2021, February 21). Abuse and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Retrieved from Tribe
work: https://tribework.blogspot.com/2021/02/abuse-and-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs.html
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
Maslow Pyramid.jpg
(53.89 KB)
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
