Havening Techniques and neuroscience

What are Havening Techniques®?

Havening Techniques® is a form of therapy that reduces negative effects of trauma and stress.
The word “Havening” comes from the English “haven,” meaning refuge.
This method creates a safe mental space for clients so they can disconnect emotions from unpleasant memories.
With Havening Touch®, gentle touch soothes the emotional brain, especially the amygdala.
This reduces anxiety and stress within minutes.

How do Havening Techniques work?

Havening is based on neuroscientific insights.
Trauma is recorded in the amygdala, which is responsible for emotional reactions.
Trauma memories can trigger emotional and physical reactions, even years later. Havening Touch® combines touch and visualization to decouple these reactions.
This lowers the emotional charge of the memory.

The Havening Techniques protocol:

• Identify the traumatic event.
• Application of Havening Touch® to face, arms and hands.
• Use visualization to reduce the emotional charge.

The science behind Havening Techniques®

Dr. Ronald Ruden developed Havening based on neuroscientific discoveries.
Trauma is stored in the amygdala.
This can cause long-term negative emotions. Gentle touch calms the amygdala and reduces encodings of trauma.
Research shows that touch releases neurotransmitters such as serotonin and oxytocin.
These reduce stress and make you feel safe. Havening Techniques®: Neuroscience-based trauma therapy for professionals

Applications of Havening Techniques® for therapists

Havening is versatile and effective for psychological and physical problems.
Here are some key applications:

1. Trauma Treatment

Havening is a powerful technique for processing trauma and helps to significantly reduce the emotional load of traumatic memories.
By activating specific sensory stimuli, such as gentle touch, the body’s neurological response is reprogrammed.
This leads to a rapid decrease in the intensity of negative emotions associated with trauma.

2. Anxiety Disorders

Havening is increasingly recognized as an effective approach for treating various anxiety disorders, including social anxiety, phobias and panic attacks.
Because the technique focuses on depotentiating the traumatic memories associated with anxiety-related triggers, clients often experience rapid relief from their symptoms.

3. Chronic pain

Chronic pain often has not only a physical, but also a strong emotional component.
Many pain symptoms, especially when stress-related, are exacerbated by emotional tension and underlying trauma.
Through the application of Havening, clients can learn how to release the emotional stress that exacerbates their physical pain.

4. Addiction

In addiction treatment, Havening can be used to reduce the emotional triggers that often underlie addictive behavior.
Many addictions are rooted in deep emotional pain or trauma.
By processing this pain on a neurological level, clients can regain control of their behaviors and break negative patterns.

5. Sleep problems

Sleep problems, such as insomnia, nightmares and restless sleep, are often the result of unprocessed stress or traumatic experiences.
Havening helps clients release the emotional tension that disrupts their sleep.

The importance of touch in therapy with Havening Techniques

Touch is essential in Havening.
Havening Touch® uses gentle touch on the face, arms and hands.
This touch activates skin receptors and calms the brain.
Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and oxytocin are released, reducing stress and providing safety.

Training and Certification: Become a Certified Havening Techniques Practitioner

Therapists can learn to apply Havening effectively.
To do so, they must take an approved training course.
In the training, they learn the science and practice of Havening. Learn more about the Havening Techniques® Practitioner training here.

Steps to certification:

1. Attend training with a certified Havening Techniques® Trainer.
2. Practice the techniques under supervision.
3. Become certified and join the international community of Havening Practitioners.

Testimonials from professionals about Havening Techniques®

    The sessions with Hypnosis Mentor were life-changing.
I now feel more confident and relaxed.”
– Eileen Flynn

    I was fortunate to train with Stephen.
The training was of high quality.
Stephen is tremendously knowledgeable.”
– Psychology teacher

    Stephen is an excellent teacher.
I have 18 years of experience and nothing is more powerful than Havening.”
– Archie Coogan, Complementary Therapist

    In twenty-five years of practice, Havening has positively changed my life and work.
The results are quick and lasting.”
– Charlie Briggs, Clinical Psychotherapist