Intervention Styles (John Heron)

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What is the Intervention Styles model?

The Intervention Styles framework by John Heron distinguishes between 6 possible means of analyzing a range of possible therapeutic interactions between a client and a helper. Heron defines an intervention as an identifiable piece of verbal and/or non-verbal behavior that is part of the practitioner's service to the client (2001).
 

Origin of the Intervention Styles Framework. History

John Heron (b. 1928) is a pioneer in the creation of a participatory research method in the social sciences. Heron is known for his work on intervention styles.

An early model (1975) by Heron was called the Six Category Intervention Analysis or Six Facilitative Interventions and had six intervention styles in two main categories:

1. Authoritative Interventions. The practitioner takes a more dominant or assertive role, taking responsibility for and on behalf of the client.
   1. Prescriptive Intervention. Directs client by giving advice and direction.
   2. Informative Intervention. Seeks to give knowledge, information and meaning to the client, by giving instruction.
   3. Confronting Intervention. Challenges behavior or attitude of the client by direct feedback.
2. Facilitative Interventions. The practitioner seeks to enable clients to become more autonomous and take more responsibility for themselves.
   4. Cathartic Intervention. Helps client to express and overcome powerful thoughts or emotions. Empathizes.
   5. Catalytic Intervention. Helps client to reflect, discover and learn. Asks questions.
   6. Supportive Intervention. Builds up client confidence. Praises, values and supports the client.

Later Heron refines his model to 6 dimensions and 3 decision-modes, and calls it: the Intervention Styles Model. (Figure).

Usage of Intervention Styles. Applications

• Learning, Teaching, Knowledge Management
• Coaching, Mentoring, Mediation, Consulting

Strengths of the Intervention Styles Model. Benefits

• Creates awareness of current and possible helping styles.
• Framework to communicate and discuss teaching or consulting styles.
• Can be used at both individual and group level.

Limitations of the Intervention Styles Framework. Disadvantages

• To be able to change in intervention style towards autonomous modes requires shifts in behavior, values and skills.
• From lecturer to facilitator, from expert to mentor, from control to risk, from structure to ambiguity.
• Not all people will be ready for advanced ways of help. "I just need you to tell me what to do now".

Book: John Heron - Six category intervention analysis. Human Potential Research Project. University of Surrey (1975)

Book: John Heron - The Facilitator's Handbook (1999)

Book: John Heron - Helping the Client: A Creative, Practical Guide (2001)

Forum Forum discussions about Interventions. Facilitation Styles of van Maurik J. van Maurik argues good facilitators are those who are able to give accurate and flexible responses to their teams. He develops four styles that can be used in the facilitation process, each of whi... 12   2 comments 🔥 Corrupt Interventions after Heron Heron was keen to ensure that the ethical aspect of caring was maintained throughout the client journey and so included the category of corrupt interventions ie interventions that suited the needs of ... 8   How to Become an Authority as a Consultant? I am currently researching the development of a model which maps the process of becoming an authority in some chosen field of expertise (focused on business management). The model is focused on busin... 6   23 comments Four Sets of Activities of Donaghue John Heron's work focused on the relationship between the helper and the client. In 1992 Charles Donaghue incorporates a responsibility for the relations between the learners (members, learning team... 6   Start a new topic about Interventions Sign up for free

Courses about Interventions. Beginners Course Advanced Course Course for Experts

Expert Tips Advanced insights about Interventions. Here you will find professional advices by experts. Consultancy Tips Teaching Tips Practical Implementation Tips All 3 Forms, 2 Classes and 6 Categories of Intervention in Detail (Heron) Interpersonal Relationships, Therapeutic, Coaching, Mentoring, Counseling, Facilitating, and Consulting Interactions All Forms of Intervention (Heron): THERAPEUTIC/VALID INTERVENTIONS An appropriate intervention which is delivered ... Building an Organizational Coaching Capacity Developing an Organizational Coaching Capacity, Learning Organization, Developing Coaching as an Organizational Capacity COACHING ON AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL In their book "Trillion Dollar Coach: Lessons for Managers", Google's Schmidt, Rosenber...

Information Sources Various sources of information regarding Interventions. Here you will find powerpoints, videos, news, etc. to use in your own lectures and workshops. John Heron 6 Category Intervention Analysis (6CIA) Interpersonal Help, Good presentation about John Heron's six intervention categories for helpful relations between a helper and a patient or... NLP: The 6 Neurological Levels 6 layers to view at the reality of a person or issue Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) is used increasingly by businesses and individuals in HR, marketing, sales and organi... Building the Helping Relationship 10 Principles for Facilitative Consultancy Superb article by MIT Professor and OD consultant Edgar H. Schein in which he concludes that: "... The decisive factor ... Increasing Group Participation: The 3 I's of Participation Increase Participation in Groups (Workshops, Trainings, Project Teams) Steve Davis explains his model to increase Group Participation. There are three types of participation: 1. Physical ... Facilitation Styles Diagram Facilitation, Consultancy Download and edit this 12manage PowerPoint graphic for limited personal, educational and business use. Republishing in ... Tips for Internal Consultants Internal Consultants Issues, Internal Consultants Activities,Internal Consultants Tips A presentation that identifies issues and activities related to being an internal consultant....

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