Joyce E Smith, MA, LMFT  *   323 333-4462    *  PTSD & Trauma Specialist
________________________________________________________________________________________

Havening Techniques

When we are triggered by a prior trauma, there is a distinct relationship between the Amygdala (or "Amy" as she is affectionately referred to in Havening) and our working memory.  The looping relationship between these two areas perpetuates our physiological activation.  The top video is a brief demo I presented at a training, which explains why the physical touch of Havening Techniques combined with the use of cognitive distractions are so effective.  The bottom video by Tam Johnston is a brilliant and more in depth explanation of the neuroscience behind Havening Techniques.

Havening Techniques is an extremely gentle, effective, efficient and elegant technique for alleviating the physiological activation caused by residual triggers from trauma which emanate from the Amygdala or fear center of our brain. The term "Havening" comes from the sense of creating a "safe haven." After extremely briefly bringing to mind the upsetting activating event (which can be done just as effectively without verbalizing any of it), a light physical touch is used which can be either self or practitioner applied.  The areas of touch are the forehead, along the cheekbones, along the sides of the arms down to the elbows and on the palms. It's been discovered that these specific areas produce the most delta waves.  Delta waves are produced naturally when we are in the relaxed state of deep sleep.  The Havening touch combined with a series of distraction techniques help de-potentiate the Amygdala receptor sites in the brain, resulting in alleviating the physiological activation.

Call 323 333-4462 
Complimentary initial 20 minute phone consultation
JoyceESmithMFT@gmail.com