How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Six Interventions

Disciplines > Counselling > Six Interventions

Prescriptive | Informative | Confronting | Cathartic | Catalytic | Supportive | See also

Here are six types of intervention, described by John Heron, that may be used (they are also known as the Six Categories of Intervention Analysis or '6CIA'). These are in two groups.

The first three interventions are authoritative, as the counsellor takes a position of authority, assuming an almost parental position where they assume greater knowledge and understanding. The second three interventions are facilitative, where the counsellor

• Authoritative

  1. Prescriptive: Give direction

  2. Informative: Help understanding

  3. Confronting: Raise awareness

• Facilitative

  4. Cathartic: Release tension

  5. Catalytic: Triggering change

  6. Supportive: Encouraging change

Prescriptive

In prescriptive intervention, depending on the relationship, the counsellor either gives direct instruction or offers specific advice.

This is taking the position of parent or master who knows best and simply needs to tell the client what to do. While this may seem straightforward and obvious, there is often a strong likelihood that the client will resist such direct methods.

Informative

In informative intervention, the counsellor helps the client learn and understand by providing them with new information of some sort.

While an informative intervention is not directly prescriptive, it may imply actions that should be taken.

Confronting

In confrontive intervention, the counsellor challenges the client, typically 'holding up a mirror' to them, giving honest feedback, for example by describing how they have behaved in ways that are ultimately unhelpful.

Confrontive intervention is more direct and less comfortable for the client than an informative intervention. It may be necessary when the client is avoiding information, for example where they have made the same mistake many times.

Cathartic

In cathartic intervention, the counsellor helps the client release inner tensions that may have been bottled up for years and which have been holding them back or interfering in their lives in unwanted ways.

Cathartic release may well come as a sudden explosive release of emotion, with such acts as weeping, shouting, hysterical laughter or displays of anger. This requires emotional strength from the counsellor, who may well need good empathy to help the process.

Catalytic

In catalytic intervention, the counsellor seeks to create significant change, often through brief interactions. This can lead to sudden enlightenment, possibly also with cathartic release.

Supportive

In a supporting intervention, the counsellor acts to comfort the client as they discover perhaps painful truths and struggle to find their way forward.

See also

Authority principle, Appeal principle