The Havening Techniques are a type of psychosensory therapy designed to help people overcome issues caused by traumatic experiences. This method uses a therapeutic touch called Havening Touch to influence thoughts, emotions and behaviours. The techniques include:
Havening addresses anxiety, trauma, phobias, grief, PTSD and cravings. It alleviates emotional distress from painful memories and enhances overall well-being, supporting success in work, school or physical activities.
In a Havening session, the practitioner will have the individual rate their emotional distress and guide them through calming exercises, like rubbing their arms and visualising tasks. The process is repeated until the distress level decreases, aiming to ease emotional tension and disrupt distressing memories.
The practitioner will help the individual clear their mind, visualise a calm place, and tap on specific areas of the upper body. They may also guide counting, breathing or humming, which helps the brain reframe distressing memories similarly to mindfulness practices.