By: Cameron Rozean, Graduate Student Counseling Intern
We all recognize the timeless tale of the underdog— David triumphing over Goliath, Rudy clinching the game-winning touchdown, or Frodo Baggins overcoming Sauron against all odds. Throughout all of history, humanity has been drawn to stories of courage and redemption, valor and vitality, stories in which heroes overcome great odds. Within these stories we find an ancient wisdom that speaks deep into the heart of the individual, a voice that tells the tale of hope.
While philosophies, theories, and individuals may define hope differently, one common theme seems to be a belief for a different or better future. Whether hope is coming from deep within or from external constraints being lifted, the virtue stems from a belief in a better future. In a psychological sense, we see several definitions for hope. Dr. C.R. Snyder defines hope in his Hope Theory as a “cognitive motivational state characterized by two essential components: agency and pathways”. Snyder believes that hope is not just wishful thinking for positive outcomes; rather, it is an active process of achieving a goal which can be directed and used by an individual.
Agency refers to self-belief and determination to pursue goals. In other words, agency is the confidence in one’s ability to succeed. Pathways involve the ability to devise and adapt strategies to achieve a desired outcome. A good way to imagine pathways and agency thinking is as follows:
Imagine a mountain with your goal at the peak. To reach it, you need two things: a clear route to the top (pathways) and the belief that you can make the climb (agency). Along the way, you draw confidence from your training, strengthening your resolve(this would be using your agency). When obstacles like a fallen tree block your path, you adapt and find an alternative route to keep moving upward (this would be using your pathways).
This mountain is representative of the therapeutic process, particularly with hope. Beginning therapy can feel like you are standing at the bottom of a gigantic mountain with no road map and no prior training. However, with the help of your therapist, you can begin to see the path emerge and feel stronger doing it. Hope plays a powerful role in therapy, as it has been shown to enhance motivation, improve emotional resilience, and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Knowing how powerful hope is, understanding Hope Theory can help both clients and clinicians take actionable steps towards increasing hope in the therapy room as well as in the outside world.