November 30
Havening is a method of psychosensory therapy that uses touch as a therapeutic tool. This method means "moving to a safe place" and is based on neurobiology. It was developed by Dr. Ronald Ruden and his brother Steven Ruden in 2001 in the USA.
The Havening technique is based on touch. In order to reduce stress, a characteristic movement is made with crossed arms, stroking them from shoulders to elbows, which leads to a state of self-soothing. Closing the eyes helps in introspection and focusing on your thoughts, effectively distracting from negative emotions.
Dr. Ronald Ruden indicates that touching specific parts of the body combined with visualization causes delta waves in the amygdala, which leads to deep calming. There are also other supporting elements, such as touching the forehead, stroking the cheeks, or even humming a favorite melody. All these techniques help to interrupt automatic, negative reactions to stressful stimuli.
The Havening technique is performed with a certified Havening therapist. There is no need for a physical meeting. Havening is just as effective during a video call, as the touch can also be generated by the client themselves, according to the instructions.
What are the benefits of Havening?
Having is a therapeutic technique that brings a number of emotional and psychological benefits. By using Havening techniques, it is possible to:
reduce the symptoms of trauma and PTSD
work on problems caused by fears and phobias
relieve negative emotions associated with painful memories
relieve anger, frustration, and lower stress levels
work on reducing compulsive behaviors
strengthen self-esteem and self-confidence
overcome the stress associated with public speaking, exams, or job interviews
Who is this technique suitable for?
The Havening technique is used in many areas, such as:
therapy
coaching and counseling
personal development
sports
high-risk professions (e.g. police officers, firefighters, doctors, other medical professions)
This tool is especially useful for people looking for ways to cope with stress, improve emotional balance, and support in professional and personal challenges.
What does a Havening therapy session look like?
A Havening therapy session can be divided into three stages:
Assessing the level of stress and anxiety, which is done using the eleven-point SUD scale, and then recalling difficult, traumatic memories or situations.
Recall positive emotions, which is called the distraction phase or the Havening Touch® technique. At this stage, it is recommended to imagine something that evokes a feeling of relaxation and peace, such as a walk on the beach, humming a favorite tune, or counting backwards. Such techniques help to weaken the power of the difficult memory and prevent the activation of the amygdala, which reduces the risk of other negative thoughts.
Recalling traumatic events and assessing stress levels using the SUD scale. This step allows you to check the effectiveness of the process.