What is Havening Technique?
Havening Technique—formally known as Amygdala Depotentiation—is a psychosensory therapy designed to change the brain to de-traumatize memories and remove negative effects from both psyche and body. The therapy incorporates distraction, touch, and eye movements to reduce anxiety and distress associated with negative memories. The name derives from the step-by-step process that places emotional responses into a safe space—a haven.
Unlike traditional talk therapy or cognitive approaches, Havening relies on sensory input—specifically therapeutic touch applied to the hands, face, and arms—combined with guided visualization and distraction techniques. The method uses sensory input (touch) to eliminate consequences arising from stressful or traumatic events, defining itself as a psychosensory approach. The underlying mechanism targets the amygdala, the brain’s emotional processing center, aiming to permanently alter the neural pathways that encode traumatic responses.
Origins & Lineage
Dr. Ronald Ruden is the creator of Havening Techniques, translating recent advances in neuroscience into new methods of healing over the last three decades. Havening Techniques were developed by Dr. Ron Ruden, MD in collaboration with his brother Dr. Steven Ruden, who are based in New York running private medical and dental practices respectively. Ruden introduced the techniques in his 2010 book ‘When the Past is Always Present’.
The Ruden brothers developed Havening after years of studying research in neuroscience, working through thousands of studies before understanding how crucial traumatic memories are encoded in the brain. Development was based on observations of babies in distress who calmed down as a result of their mothers applying warm havening touches, which promoted the release of Delta waves in the brain. Havening was founded as a nonprofit 501©(3) by Dr. Ron Ruden in 2009.
The techniques were born from the Ruden brothers’ exploration into understanding the science behind Tapping, which was founded on the wisdom of acupuncture. Celebrity hypnotist Paul McKenna became a firm believer in Havening’s value, drawing substantial media attention when he began offering workshops and therapy sessions.
How It’s Practiced
Havening Touch is applied to the hands, shoulders, and face; this touch, either self-applied or carried out by a facilitator, introduces slow wave currents (Delta-waves) that affect different parts of the brain. The technique involves gentle, soothing touch to specific areas of the body while simultaneously recalling traumatic or stressful events. As part of its protocol, Havening uses the sensory input of human touch as a therapeutic tool identified as ‘Havening Touch,’ with the decision of who provides the touch made jointly between practitioner and client.
Practitioners guide clients through a structured process combining three elements: first, activating the distressing memory; second, applying repetitive touch in soothing strokes to the arms, face, or hands; third, engaging in distraction techniques such as counting, visualization, humming, or eye movements. When combined with distraction techniques via imagery, chemical reactions ensue which serve to ‘defrost’ the disturbing material that had previously become frozen in the amygdala.
The client can self-haven between sessions, giving them a sense of self-care and empowering control over one’s behavior. Sessions typically last 45-90 minutes, though some practitioners report significant shifts occurring in single sessions. The touch is always gentle and can be self-administered, making the technique accessible for independent practice.
Havening Technique Today
Havening has spread globally through a network of certified practitioners trained by the Havening organization. Havening can be integrated into a wide range of existing therapeutic practices, as well as coaching work, personal development programmes and interventions focused on peak performance. Practitioners include psychotherapists, counselors, coaches, and bodyworkers who incorporate Havening into their existing modalities.
Seekers encounter Havening through private therapy sessions, certification trainings, online demonstrations, and self-help applications. The technique has gained particular traction in trauma treatment, anxiety reduction, phobia resolution, and performance enhancement. Havening is increasingly recognized for its potential in supporting perinatal psycho-spiritual and emotional health. Workshops and trainings are offered internationally, with practitioners found through the official Havening.org directory.
The method has attracted both clinical practitioners seeking neuroscience-based interventions and individuals looking for self-regulation tools. YouTube videos, practitioner demonstrations, and self-Havening tutorials have made the basic technique widely accessible, though advocates recommend professional guidance for deeply traumatic material.
Common Misconceptions
Havening is not a form of massage, energy healing, or manual therapy, despite involving touch. The touch serves a neurochemical function rather than releasing muscular tension or balancing energetic systems. Havening has been criticized for lacking empirical support, and significantly more research is needed before the practice can be considered evidence based.
The technique should not be confused with EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), though both are psychosensory therapies addressing trauma. EMDR was the first psychosensory technique gaining wide acceptance in the psychotherapeutic community for trauma treatment, working by using sensory stimuli to shift the brain’s electrochemical response in PTSD. Havening uses a different mechanism focused on delta wave production through touch.
While proponents claim permanent depotentiation of traumatic memories, critics point to the limited peer-reviewed research and call for more rigorous clinical trials. Since its inception, Havening has remained largely unchanged, with its science and applications not evolving to align with newer research and trauma-informed principles. It is not a replacement for psychiatric care, medication management, or treatment of serious mental health conditions without professional oversight.
How to Begin
The most accessible entry point is Dr. Ronald Ruden’s book When the Past is Always Present (2010), which explains the neuroscience foundation and basic protocols. The official website Havening.org offers a practitioner directory, introductory videos, and foundational resources. Many practitioners offer free introductory sessions or consultations to determine if Havening is appropriate.
For self-practice, numerous certified Havening practitioners have published guided self-Havening recordings on YouTube and other platforms, demonstrating the touch patterns and distraction techniques. Simple applications for everyday stress and minor upsets can be learned through these resources, though professional guidance is recommended for processing trauma, phobias, or deeply distressing memories.
Beginners might also explore introductory workshops or webinars offered by certified trainers. The basic self-Havening protocol—crossing arms to stroke upper arms, stroking palms, or gently touching the face while thinking of something pleasant—can be practiced immediately as a self-soothing tool. For therapeutic applications addressing significant emotional challenges, working with a certified Havening practitioner ensures proper application and safety.