FAQ
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Havening Techniques were developed by Dr. Ronald A. Ruden and his brother, Dr. Steven J. Ruden, both medical doctors.
Havening Techniques have been used to address conditions such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), phobias, and stress-related issues. Additionally, grief and anger can also be lessened.
Yes, Havening can be used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches to enhance results.
Yes, individuals can learn self-havening techniques to use on themselves.
Havening sessions can vary in length but usually last around 45 minutes to an hour.
Havening is generally considered safe when conducted by trained and qualified practitioners.
Some studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that Havening Techniques may be effective in reducing emotional distress, but more research is needed.
Touch is used to create a havening response, which can be soothing and help individuals process their emotions.
The goal is to remove the emotional charge associated with traumatic memories, making them less distressing.
Yes, Havening can be adapted for use with children, but it should be performed by trained practitioners experienced in working with young clients.
The number of sessions required can vary depending on the individual and their specific needs.
Havening relies on physical touch and sensory techniques, whereas talk therapy focuses on verbal communication.
Havening can be used for both trauma and general stress reduction, making it a versatile therapeutic approach.
Many people are surprised to learn that they go into a hypnotic trance daily. If you’ve ever been absorbed in a good book or movie, then you’ve experienced a light state of hypnosis. If you’ve ever been surprised to arrive at a destination not remembering every moment of the drive or walk, you’ve been in a hypnotic trance. We often call it “autopilot.”
When you see a hypnotist, they will help you enter this pleasant state of mind (trance), which is the first step to achieve your goal. You will be aware of everything that happens, remember anything you want to remember and be able to accept or reject any suggestions offered by the hypnotist.
Yes, hypnosis is legitimate. The Mayo Clinic, National Institutes for Health, and American Psychological Association, to name a few, have been studying hypnosis for decades. On September 18, 2018, TIME magazine article stated: “There are many myths about hypnosis, mostly coming from media presentations, like fictional films and novels,” says Irving Kirsch, a lecturer and director the Program in Placebo Studies at Harvard Medical School. But setting aside pop-culture clichés, Kirsch says hypnosis is a well-studied and legitimate form of adjunct treatment, simular to accupucture, for conditions ranging from obesity and pain after surgery to anxiety and stress.
If you want to be hypnotized, yes, you can be hypnotized. The key is that you (not a partner, parent, or doctor) want a change to occur and you want to use hypnosis to make the change. Your doctor may tell you to stop smoking to improve your heart/lung/other health, but if you don’t really want to stop, hypnosis often won’t work. Hypnotists cannot make a person want something they don’t want.
Havening Touch involves a simple touch of the hands, upper arm, and face. The client can self-apply Havening Touch with direction from the practitioner or can be facilitated (meaning can be done by the practitioner). There are certain circumstances where the practitioner or the client may not wish to touch or be touched. The client decides which method s/he prefers and both are effective.
We believe the consequences of trauma and stressful life events are stored in the brain and are activated by conscious or inadvertent recall. Once this recall occurs, symptoms are generated. This activation also makes the pathway that generates these feelings subject to disruption. The Havening Techniques are designed to disrupt this pathway through a process called synaptic depotentiation; literally, it is as if we darken a room by pulling a plug on a lit lamp. Although we can’t provide any guarantees, the emotions and sometimes even the ability to recall the memory can be extinguished after performing The Havening Techniques.
There is no specific way to feel when in hypnosis, but several clients say hypnosis is like a spa appointment for the mind. Some people say they were very deeply relaxed and felt as light as a feather. Others say they felt deeply grounded and very safe. Others report not feeling anything specifically.
One myth about hypnosis is that a hypnotist will make someone do or say something they don’t want or is against their personal beliefs. The hypnosis client is always in control of their own mind. Most clients say they were aware of everything going on and what I was saying. Clients say they feel surprisingly good and relaxed at the end of the session.
No, you cannot get stuck in hypnosis. Going into hypnosis requires a willingness to be hypnotized and a person can get out of it whenever s/he wants.
No, please don’t go to sleep! In a hypnotic trance, many clients say they felt very relaxed, like when you sleep, but the mind is active and open to resolving the issue.
Havening Techniques are a set of psycho-sensory therapies designed to help individuals cope with emotional distress and trauma.
Energy psychology (EP) is a collection of mind-body approaches for understanding and improving human functioning. EP focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, sensations, and behaviors, and known bioenergy systems. EP continues to be studied and verified by the US National Institutes of Health.
As of July 2019, over 100 research studies, 5 meta-analyses, and 12 review articles have been published on EP methods in peer-reviewed journals. These modalities have been researched by more than 200 investigators in over 12 countries. Over 50 randomized controlled trials have documented efficacy for these methods.
The results of these studies have been published in more than 15 different peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology, the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, and the APA Journals Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training and Review of General Psychology.
Yes, tapping, also called acupoint tapping, is used on nine points of the body. The client taps on their own points and follows the technique as shown by the practitioner.
Yes, there is a specific protocol that is used to balance each chakra. Most people are surprised at the end result and they feel considerably better.
If a doctor has prescribed medicine to treat a diagnosed medical or psychological issue, only s/he can recommend changes to your dosage. You should never make changes to prescription usage without first consulting with your doctor. Often, clients notice significant improvements after hypnosis/havening sessions and after talking with your doctor, they may adjust medications.
Yes, depending on what the issue is, If you have a doctor’s consent, I am willing to talk with you to see if I can help you, within the scope of my practice. It’s good to have a team approach working towards your goals.
Sessions are generally 60-70 minutes. The first session will be a bit longer (90 mins) to allow for initial discussion and paperwork.
Hypnosis is widely accepted and used by medical practitioners who have taken the time to learn about it. Dr. Milton Erickson was a psychiatrist who specialized in medical hypnosis. Currently, Dr. David Spiegel, at Standford University, is studying and documenting the positive effects of hypnosis. Today, a large number of doctors understand hypnosis can work where western medicine doesn’t and recommends hypnosis to their patients.
Havening was developed by two medical doctors, Steve and Ron Ruden. Pulling from neuroscience published studies, they were able to identify how trauma becomes encoded in the brain and how to resolve it gently by psycho-sensory techniques.
Energy Psychology techniques are both accepted and provided by licensed medical providers. The Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (ACEP) received a 5-year renewal (2019) as a continuing education provider from the American Psychological Association because the research shows it works! There are many doctors, nurses, and clinicians who are certified in Energy Psychology techniques; I received my training from Dr. Kristin Holthuis (MD).
People respond at different rates so it’s difficult to give an exact number of sessions. On average, most people find the issue they wanted to resolve is greatly improved within 3-6 sessions. However, if there are multiple issues, it may take a few additional sessions.
All hypnosis sessions at Essential Health & Hypnosis are both private and confidential. Only the client is allowed in the room.
Yes! However, we are in the business of empowering individuals, not forcing them to do things against their will. Your partner will need to phone me directly and express his or her decision to start hypnosis, without any pressure from you.
Regardless of who is paying for the session, the individual undergoing hypnosis/Havening guides the sessions.
Yes. Minors respond very well to hypnosis, Havening, and energy work.
