Getting our three human needs in healthier ways

In counseling work, I often simplify Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs down to three main human needs of …

1. Security, safety or stability

2. Connection

3. Growth, newness or variety

For each of these needs, we can seek/express them in healthy or unhealthy ways.

For security/stability, when done in helpful ways, it gives us more control and safety. When done in unhealthy ways, it holds us back from learning and growing.

For connection, when done in helpful ways, it gives us more meaningful and collaborative relationships. When done in unhealthy ways, it brings us much unneeded conflict and drama.

For growth, variety and newness, when done in helpful ways, it gives us much learning, exploration, meaning and purpose. When done in unhealthy ways, it may come in a form of sensory seeking and addictive behaviours.

So part of counseling is to shift one’s way of seeking their three human needs from unhealthy ways to healthier ways.

I wonder if you can relate…