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Treatment overview

Havening Therapy

Havening is a psycho-sensory technique that pairs specific forms of touch with distraction and visualization to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic or distressing memories. The touch is applied to the face, arms, or hands while the person engages in related cognitive tasks, and sessions can be brief.

Overview

What It Is Havening is a psycho-sensory technique that pairs specific forms of touch (on the face, arms, or hands) with distraction and visualization to reduce the emotional charge of distressing memories. Sessions can be brief and are delivered by trained practitioners; self-havening techniques are also taught.

How It Works The approach proposes that the touch generates soothing sensory input that helps depotentiate amygdala-mediated emotional responses while the person briefly engages related content. The goal is a rapid reduction in the felt intensity of distressing material. Larger independent controlled trials are still limited.

Conditions - Used for: trauma-related distress, phobias, and emotionally charged memories. - Note: Evidence is still emerging (case series and pilot work). Risk is considered very low.

How it is administered

Individual sessions with a trained practitioner. Sessions can be relatively brief and focus on specific distressing material using touch and guided attention.

The NPA Treatment Database lists this treatment in connection with 4 condition records. A database relationship does not establish effectiveness, safety, or suitability for an individual.

These controlled question pages reference this treatment through stored condition relationships.

Symptoms connected in the NPA database

The current record associates this treatment with the following symptom information. This is not a claim that the treatment will improve these symptoms.

Emotion & Behavior

  • anxiety
  • avoidance
  • avoidance behaviors
  • continued use despite harm
  • Cravings
  • depression
  • emotional numbness
  • Excessive fear or worry
  • frustration
  • Intrusive memories/flashbacks
  • irritability
  • mood swings
  • risk-taking

Sensory & Pain

  • heightened bodily awareness
  • heightened sensitivity
  • muscle aches
  • Persistent pain (aching, burning, stabbing)
  • Physical reactions to triggers
  • Physical sensations (heart racing, chest tightness, sweating)
  • Withdrawal-related physical discomfort or pain

Practical information

Insurance coverage

Rarely covered.

Cost information

$100–$250+ per session.

Results and outcomes described in the source record

Some people report rapid relief within a single session; durability varies.

Side effects and risks

Very low risk. Temporary emotional release possible.

Research context in the NPA database

This section reproduces the current database's research summary and detail. Structured citation metadata has not been supplied, so it should not be read as an independently verified literature review.

Research summary

Evidence Level: Emerging

What the research shows: Early clinical reports describe rapid reductions in emotional distress for some people. Larger controlled trials are still limited.

Key takeaway: A brief, touch-based technique sometimes used to reduce the emotional charge of difficult memories.

Research detail

Overview Havening is a psycho-sensory technique that pairs specific forms of touch (havening touch) with distraction and visualization to reduce the emotional charge of traumatic or distressing memories. The touch is applied to the face, arms, or hands while the person engages in related cognitive tasks. Sessions can be brief and are delivered by trained practitioners; self-havening techniques are also taught. The method is based on the idea that the touch generates delta-wave activity and helps depotentiate the amygdala-mediated emotional response.

Evidence Base and Published Work • Evidence is still emerging and consists mainly of practitioner case series and pilot studies describing rapid reductions in emotional distress for some individuals. • Larger independent controlled trials are limited. • Proposed mechanisms involve delta-wave activity and amygdala depotentiation. • Risk is considered very low; temporary emotional release can occur.

Outcomes in early clinical reports include rapid reductions in emotional distress for some people. Larger controlled trials are still limited. The approach is brief and low-risk when delivered by trained practitioners.

Questions to ask a provider

1. Is Havening appropriate for the type of distressing memories or emotional reactions I want to address? 2. What happens in a typical Havening session, and how many sessions are commonly needed? 3. What training does the practitioner have in Havening techniques? 4. How does Havening differ from EMDR or other trauma therapies I may have tried? 5. What should I expect in terms of emotional release or temporary intensity during or after a session?

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Educational information disclaimer

The information provided in this app is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional medical care.

Treatments, therapies, and interventions described here may not be appropriate for every person or condition. Evidence levels, availability, costs, insurance coverage, and risks can vary. Nothing in this app constitutes a recommendation that you start, stop, or change any treatment.

Always consult your physician, neurologist, or other qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new therapy, device, program, or intervention, and before making decisions about your care. Seek prompt medical attention for any urgent or emergency symptoms. By using this app, you acknowledge that NP Allies and its contributors are not responsible for any decisions you make based on the information provided, or for any outcomes that result from those decisions.