The theories that were mentioned are all very valuable. It was difficult to decide on just one. I
decided on the strength-based approach. I feel that people develop a more positive self-image when
they realize their strengths. If a client feels that they are worthless or have made a shambles of their
life, they can make great strides when reminded of their strengths. An example of this with a client
would be if they grew up in a dysfunctional home and carry that with them through their life, they can
be reminded that they are a survivor! "Yes, you did grow up with alcoholic parents who weren't
around, but you did not let that stop you from graduating high school" for example. Showing them
what they have done right in their life lets them realize, "Yes, I did do that. c And I can do more." c Too
many people were either told or shown that they were worthless or stupid and will not amount to
anything in this life. As a human services professional, you have the ability to change those thoughts
by showing them even the smallest accomplishments they have made in their life. They may have
forgotten about them. c They may not even think of their accomplishments as such. c You can explain to
them that even by showing up for this meeting, you are proving all that you heard when you were
young as wrong. "You are breaking the chain!" For those such people, it may take much reminding
that they are worthy and that you believe that in them. c Waking up in the morning, taking a shower and
eating breakfast is an accomplishment! Not isolating today, is an accomplishment! c More of us, in our
daily lives would do wonders for a person by reminding them that they are important to you and are a
blessing. c They may not believe it at first. c There are many things they can do to remind themselves of
this. c Put up post-It notes on your bathroom mirror or nightstand that say, "I am worthy of love." c "I am
important." c I believe this is a great tool we as human services professionals can use to help our clients
grow and move past old thoughts and feelings of hopelessness and woe.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of
human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. From the bottom of the hierarchy
upwards, the needs are: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging
needs (friendship), esteem, and self-actualization. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied
before individuals can attend to needs higher up. This five-stage model can be divided into deficiency
needs and growth needs. The first four levels are often referred to as deficiency needs (D-needs), and
the top level is known as growth or being needs (B-needs). Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation
and are said to motivate people when they are not met. Also, the motivation to fulfill such needs will
get stronger the longer the period they are denied. For example, the longer a person goes without food,
the hungrier they will become. Maslow (1943) initially stated that individuals must satisfy lower-level
deficit needs before progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. However, he later clarified that
satisfaction of a needs is not an “all-or-none” phenomenon, admitting that his earlier statements may
have given “the false impression that a need must be satisfied 100 percent before the next need
emerges”. When a deficit need has been 'more or less' satisfied it will disappear, and our activities
become habitually directed towards meeting the next set of needs that we have yet to satisfy. These
then become our salient needs. However, growth needs continue to be felt and may even become
stronger once they have been engaged. Sometimes when working with those in substance abuse
treatment programs there may be other mental health issues that someone may be dealing with that
will be uncovered because of sobriety. It is always recommended that addiction specialists treat the
substance abuse issues first then work on whatever else need to be worked on. This goes into
conjunction with the hierarchy of needs . Please see below for the list of needs
The original hierarchy of needs five-stage model includes:
Maslow (1943, 1954) stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs
take precedence over others.
Our most basic need is for physical survival, and this will be the first thing that motivates our
behavior. Once that level is fulfilled the next level up is what motivates us, and so on.
1. Physiological needs - these are biological requirements for human survival, e.g. air, food, drink,
shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, sleep.
If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally. Maslow considered
physiological needs the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are
met.
2. Safety needs - once an individual’s physiological needs are satisfied, the needs for security and
safety become salient. People want to experience order, predictability and control in their lives. These
needs can be fulfilled by the family and society (e.g. police, schools, business and medical care).
For example, emotional security, financial security (e.g. employment, social welfare), law and order,
freedom from fear, social stability, property, health and wellbeing (e.g. safety against accidents and
injury).
3. Love and belongingness needs - after physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled, the third
level of human needs is social and involves feelings of belongingness. Belongingness refers to a
human emotional need for interpersonal relationships, affiliating, connectedness, and being part of a
group. Examples of belongingness needs include friendship, intimacy, trust, and acceptance, receiving
and giving affection, and love.
4. Esteem needs are the fourth level in Maslow’s hierarchy and include self-worth, accomplishment
and respect. Maslow classified esteem needs into two categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity,
achievement, mastery, independence) and (ii) the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g.,
status, prestige).
Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most important for children and adolescents
and precedes real self-esteem or dignity.
5. Self-actualization needs are the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy, and refer to the realization of a
person's potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences. Maslow (1943)
describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one
can be.
The indivisible self represents a wellness model helpful to understanding clients. It is based upon a
holistic and strengths-based approach. Myers and Sweeney (2005) developed an assessment tool to
measure individual wellness. For the purposes of this text, we present the concepts that explain their
wellness model. The model incorporates three levels of factors to describe the many ways individuals
exhibit well-being. The mid-level includes five factors that describe important aspects of human life
(Myers & Sweeney, 2005).
The Creative Self. The creative self helps each of us define our unique place or perspective. This
uniqueness becomes obvious as we relate to others and as we describe our personal experiences. Five
factors of thinking, emotions, control, work, and positive humor comprise the Creative Self. This
aspect of wellness represents the interrelationship between emotions, physical health, and cognition.
In addition, a sense of control over one’s life; humor; emotional, cognitive, and physical expression
allowing us to retain a positive orientation under adversity; and work provide meaning to individual
lives.
Coping Self. Leisure, stress management, self-worth, and realistic beliefs comprise the coping self.
The primary focus of the coping self is to help individuals survive, and in fact thrive, during and
through life’s challenges. Theorists view leisure as a creative outlet for coping, while a sense of self-
worth and assuming realistic beliefs provide a cognitive orientation for mastering difficult situations.
Finally, stress management, or handling of life’s problems, provides the foundation for growth and
development.
The Social Self. Myers and Sweeney (2005) characterize the social self as relationships and
connections with friends and family. Hence, friendship and love are the factors that enhance the value
of life and longevity. These two factors counter feelings of alienation, isolation, and separation from
others, while providing well-being over the life span.
The Essential Self. The focus of the essential self-centers around the search for meaning(s) for
individual lives and includes present contributions and legacy. It encompasses meaning. Factors
associated with the essential self are spirituality, gender identity, cultural identity, and self-care. While
spirituality represents the search for meaning, gender and cultural identity affect the worldview and an
individual’s perceptions of his or her place. Self-care includes an active commitment to wellness and
well-being and recognizes individual responsibility in making positive choices to achieve meaning.
The Physical Self. For individuals to reach wellness, the physical aspects of the human body need
good nutrition and exercise. Both factors support present good health and longevity. Next, let’s look at
an additional way to look at client strengths.
MBS Direct: An Introduction to Human Services (vitalsource.com).
People in the human service industry use several theories to assist them when working with clients.
Helen Harris Perlman created the problem-solving method in 1957 (Deutsch). The problem-solving
method is method professionals often use and people occasionally do it without realizing it. When
following the problem-solving method, a human service employee helps their client identify a
problem, create a plan to solve it, and implement the solution. After, they assess and adjust the
solution to make it most effective and beneficial. Many different types of positions that work in the
human service industry will use this method. A therapist may use this method to walk someone
through a new problem they are having. In relation to my chosen industry, guide dog handlers will
apply this method to build relationships between the client and the animals. If there is a command that
the client is unable to do, or the animal doesn’t respond to properly then there would be changes to the
solution. There is always a period where there will be trial and error (Woodside, 2018). People do
make mistakes and things do take practice. Adjusting solutions to best adhere to what a person is
going through will ensure the best outcome. This is a simple theory because it is easy to follow these
steps.
Deutsch, S. (n.d.). Chicago/SSA/centennial. SSA Centennial RSS. Retrieved November 28, 2022,
from http://ssacentennial.uchicago.edu/features/features-perlman.shtml
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
