Havening techniques

What is Havening?

Havening is a psychosensory technique that uses guided attention exercises together with gentle touch, known as Havening Touch®. Some people explore Havening as a complementary approach for working with difficult memories, emotional responses, or general stress. Research into Havening is still developing, and people's experiences vary.

In Havening theory, soothing touch and guided attention are used while a person notices or revisits difficult material. The aim is to provide a structured process for working with the person's response to that material.

Havening Techniques belong to a larger group of methods called psychosensory approaches, which use sensory input as part of the process. The system is comprised of protocols and methods that use touch, called Havening Touch®. This touch is intended to generate a soothing response. Havening may be used by mental health-care clinicians who have been fully trained and certified in the Havening Techniques, or by allied health care professionals as a protocol for coaching, wellness and stress reduction.

When to seek Havening?

People may be interested in Havening when they are looking for a body-based or sensory approach to explore difficult experiences, emotional responses, or general stress. A therapist trained in Havening can explain how they use it and whether it fits with the client's goals and preferences.

What happens during a Havening session?

During a Havening session, the person sits on a chair and is guided through specific mental exercises, while the practitioner performs (or leads) Havening touch (a specific soothing touch on the palms, upper arms and forehead, intended to support a calming response while working with distressing material).

The Havening practitioner can either perform the Havening Touch directly, or guide the client to do it themselves (which is called Facilitated Self-Havening), and both techniques are considered equally valid. Facilitated Self-Havening tends to be used in situations where the client is not comfortable with physical touch, or in the context of online consultations.

A typical Havening session lasts between 30min and 1h.