There are many types of therapies and approaches available, making it difficult to choose the best one as various factors determine which type of therapy or approach will be suitable for a person and their specific problems. One promising and relatively new approach (two decades old) is Havening (trauma therapy). Although new, it partially builds on established research. Havening utilizes the power of Havening Touch – touch therapy aimed at healing the body from severe trauma but is also successfully used for everyday anxieties and fears.
This psychosensory technique uses touch to generate calming low-frequency delta waves in the brain, which are primarily generated during deep sleep.
Havening therapy can be applied independently or in cooperation with a therapist. It is recommended to seek a certified Havening therapist, as the therapy mainly involves touch.
History of Havening Techniques®: The Origins and Development
The creator of this technique is Dr. Ronald Ruden, a specialist in neuroscience and the author of numerous scientific studies. He observed that continuous touching of specific body parts while using certain eye movements and visualizations causes the brain to produce large amounts of delta brain waves. This results in a feeling of calmness and relaxation. When Paul McKenna, a behavioral therapist and celebrity hypnotist, began practicing this technique, Havening therapy gained significant popularity and momentum.
How Havening Therapy Works
Havening therapy aims to alter the brain to detraumatize memories and remove their negative effects from both our psyche and body. It focuses on reducing the emotional burden, particularly that accumulated through trauma.
The therapy primarily works through touch during specific phases, which is a consistent element across all variants of this technique.
Proper eye movement is not mandatory and can be replaced by closing the eyes. Another crucial element of this technique is the analysis of thoughts, aimed at breaking the connection with the traumatic stimulus. Calming delta waves help depotentiate (disconnect) AMPA receptors that are attached to the surface of our brain cells. During Havening therapy, delta waves, by disconnecting these AMPA receptors, reduce the emotional burden and everything encoded as part of the trauma. The disappearance of these receptors is responsible for the neurobiological disconnection of the recalled memory from its associated components.
What does this mean for everyday life? It disrupts the pattern created by trauma that connects the feeling of danger or threat with the source of anxiety.
Techniques Used in Havening Therapy and How to Apply Them
Several techniques are used in Havening therapy, but touch is always a common denominator. It is present in every technique as the foundation of this method. The characteristic movement involves crossing the arms and gently stroking from the shoulders to the elbows, which leads to self-soothing and, most importantly, the activation of delta waves.
Another component of the therapy can be closing the eyes in specific parts of the session, although not mandatory! This helps us understand the thought processes occurring within ourselves and aids in diverting attention from negative emotions with the support of the therapist. Proper eye movements during therapy are noteworthy. In new therapy protocols, they have been refined to include touching the forehead and cheeks.
We might also encounter elements of the therapy such as singing simple, well-known songs or tapping the collarbone, although these are not mandatory. Tapping therapy was explored by brothers Dr. Ron Ruden and Dr. Steven Ruden before developing the Havening technique, providing relief to people with phobias.
Applications of Havening Therapy: When to Use Havening Therapy and Its Benefits
Havening therapy has a broad range of applications and can be extremely helpful in treating:
- Trauma
- Phobias
- Vaginismus of a traumatic nature
- Panic attacks
- Psychosomatic disorders
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Anger management issues
- Compulsive overeating
- Sleep problems
- Chronic pain
Of course, that’s not all. This therapy is also effective for people who have been victims of abuse, have low self-esteem, or fear rejection. Havening therapy can also be helpful for those who fear intimacy or for individuals who speak publicly as a calming technique.
Benefits of using the Havening technique are primarily the durability of its effects and its effectiveness.
Experts emphasize that trauma therapy techniques are helpful for anyone who has experienced trauma. It is extremely simple, making it accessible and uncomplicated, which does not intimidate patients or make them feel lost and out of control.
It should be noted that, according to practitioners of this method, the likelihood of re-experiencing trauma as a reaction to describing a negative event can be excluded. During this therapy, the patient does not return to analyzing the trauma, as it is not necessary to recount its details.
A significant advantage is the lack of necessity for physical meetings. The therapy can be successfully conducted online, which means that help can be provided remotely. In such a scenario, the patient generates the touch themselves under the careful guidance of the therapist, following their instructions.
Havening and Trauma Therapy
Similar to another related therapy—EMDR—there are currently many ongoing studies on Havening therapy. However, it is important to note that, as with EMDR, there are few completed studies confirming the effectiveness of this technique. On the other hand, we have numerous testimonials from patients who have been helped by the therapy to overcome traumas of varying intensity. It's also worth noting the patients' attitudes before therapy—few had much hope in this therapy and approached it with extreme skepticism, not expecting real help.
Nonetheless, we can find many statements that clearly indicate almost immediate psychological relief after applying Havening Therapy.
Traumatic memories are stored in the brain and can be triggered consciously or unconsciously. The Havening technique helps to clear limiting experiences. Activation and redirection have very good results in treating trauma.
How Havening Can Help with Treating Anxiety and Its Effects
Phobias, even severe ones that hinder daily life, can significantly diminish after undergoing Havening therapy. Patients can return to their lives and enjoy them without fear and anxiety. Havening therapy helps with various types of phobias, induces a good mood, and improves overall well-being.
When we experience trauma, we want to escape the threat. The amygdala in our brain responds by creating a short circuit that tells our brain to fight, flee, freeze, or fall into defense, depending on the specific threat. This response is permanently encoded in our brain. What can happen is that the encoding from this traumatic event surfaces every day whenever we experience something similar to that past trauma or an adverse experience.
During Havening therapy, calming delta waves, as mentioned earlier in this article, reach those brain cells that have this short circuit encoded. The result is permanent.
This therapy allows patients to live without the constant shadow of fear and anxiety, providing them with the ability to enjoy life more fully. The process addresses and neutralizes the underlying causes of anxiety and phobias, leading to lasting relief and improved mental health.
Contraindications and Limitations of Havening Therapy
Havening therapy, like EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and others, can have its downsides. One of the potential negative effects can be the worsening of symptoms. This can occur if the patient has multiple traumas. Removing one trauma can bring others to the surface, a phenomenon known as the onion principle.
During sessions, patients may experience tears, anger, or physical movements. Dizziness after therapy can also occur.
However, in general, Havening therapy is considered very safe. Trauma therapy can be applied to patients with varying degrees of severity in their conditions.
How to Find a Havening Therapist
As mentioned, this therapy can be conducted by the patient alone. However, for better results, it is recommended to carry it out with a therapist. It is important to choose a therapist who is certified.
Steps to Find a Havening Therapist
- Visit the Official Website: Go to the official Havening website at www.havening.org.
- Search for Practitioners: Use the "Practitioners" tab and enter your specific location to find certified therapists in your area.
For those in Warsaw, or from other places and countries in remote, you can find me. More details are available on the trauma therapy website.
Summary and Conclusions - Trauma Therapy
A major advantage of this therapy is its simplicity. Touch can help us deal with trauma, anxiety, and stress. The therapy practically has no side effects, which allows it to reach many people. Despite the lack of extensive research, this technique has a group of supporters who testify to its effectiveness. There is also no evidence to suggest that this therapy could cause harm.
There are many indications for using this method: childhood trauma, abuse, low self-esteem, severe trauma, anxiety, worry, or fear. These are problems that most people struggle with. Havening therapy can complement traditional therapy or be used independently.
Sources:
https://www.choosingtherapy.com/havening/
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