HaveningTechniques®
Having been the recipient of the life-changing HaveningTechniques® in early 2021,
providing me with much healing from my own complex PTSD, I now have a full appreciation
and understanding of the neural complexities associated with trauma. This led me to complete
the HaveningTechniques® training and certification process (courtesy of Dr Robin
Youngson: https://neuroscienceofhealing.com/ ) later in 2021.
Subsequently, I am now sharing this revolutionary psychosensory therapy in my practice,
providing clients with a way to make the most of their neural plasticity and giving them the
opportunity to be free of unnecessary fears, blocks and pain.
With Havening the trauma scars don't completely disappear but the intensity of the attached
emotions do. In summary,
Havening uses touch, attention and imagination to rewire the brain's response to emotional
pain.
A slightly more scientific explanation is that Havening is a series of techniques that uses
soothing touch (self/other) {on the top of the arms, the face and the hands} to create a change
agent in the brain, that removes traumatically encoded events from the amygdala and also
promotes wellbeing.
Unfortunately 'Touch' (which we know has positive effects and has been used since the
beginning of time!) has been severely restricted in psychotherapy for many years now. BUT I
believe the time may have arrived to change this and I invite you to step out of your comfort
zone and give it a go. What have you got to lose?
A deeper scientific explanation (if needed).
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​​Did you know that the physical elements of pain and illness co-encode in the brain with
psychological trauma? Additionally, physical, mental, and emotional health are all
interconnected and impact one another. The cortisol levels triggered by stress significantly
increase when dealing with a chronic condition, which impacts our client’s ability to heal.
Furthermore, chronic conditions may make the entire nervous system more sensitive. Our
brain is programmed to associate pain with danger. When we experience prolonged physical
pain, the brain will frequently encode the experience as a traumatic experience.
Understanding these links and intentionally targeting them in treatment, empowers new
healing to occur through the use of trauma informed, neuroscience based, and resiliency
focused tools and techniques.
Here is a two-minute overview (YouTube video) of the mechanism, method, and results of
Havening. A quick explanation of its purpose and power, entitled:
'The Power of Havening' by Erika Neil:
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hkA6uo6pEk&ab_channel=ErikaNeil%2CLCSW
Havening weight loss.
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Yo-yo dieting, also known as weight cycling, is a frustrating and all-too-common
phenomenon. It involves losing weight, only to gain it back and then some, over and over
again. Not only is yo-yo dieting ineffective in the long term, but it can also be detrimental to
our physical and mental health.
Emotional eating is often triggered by
stressful events, traumatic experiences, or negative emotions.
Havening Techniques can be used to process and release these negative emotions, reducing
their impact on behaviour and thoughts. This can lead to a reduction in emotional eating and
a better ability to stick to a weight loss plan.
Havening Techniques, a psychosensory therapeutic technique uses touch to stimulate the
release of oxytocin, the 'cuddle hormone', which plays a key role in regulating our stress
response and appetite.
Since stress and anxiety can also lead to overeating and a lack of motivation to exercise,
Havening can help to create positive associations with healthy eating and exercise. By using
Havening Techniques, clients can develop a positive mindset towards healthy habits, making
it easier to stick to a weight loss/exercise plan and to potentially achieve a lasting weight loss
success.
It's important to note that Havening
Techniques is NOT a substitute for diet and exercise, but rather a complementary approach
that addresses the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to yo-yo dieting.
The technique is non-invasive, safe, and effective, and it's being used by trained Havening
Techniques practitioners to help clients overcome emotional barriers to weight loss.
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Please also view this New Zealand Havening Endorsement video from Feb 2024, to which I've contributed:
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