Havening is a gentle, science-backed approach that helps ‘re-code’ experiences in the past through touch.

People often describe it as helping a ‘wired and tired’ nervous system settle after periods of long-term stress, anxiety or known trauma.

If you want the deeper explainer, start here:

• How it works

• Full overview

• Full FAQs

People book Havening sessions for all sorts of reasons!

Common themes include:

• anxiety and chronic stress patterns

• phobias and fears

• trauma responses, including feeling stuck, shut down, or on edge

• confidence, self-talk, enhancing performance and health

• particular memories or triggers that still feel too “live”

If you’re not sure whether your situation applies I’d be delighted to talk it through with you. You can make an enquiry here. 

Your first session is generally two hours, but we’ll discuss what’ right for you and your situation. Two hours gives us sufficient time and space to work gently and safely without needing to rush, or force anything before you’re ready. 

Before we meet

You’ll complete a starter pack, made up of a questionnaire and an optional assessment ahead of the session. This helps me understand what’s going on,  what you want from our work and start connecting patterns and your background. This means our time together is used to it’s optimum, working on getting result. This is entirely optional and for those not up to completing it, that’s absolutely fine to, we’ll gently uncover it in the session at a pace that’s right for you. 

At the start of the session

We’ll clarify what you want to change and what  you might want to ‘be free’ in your day-to-day life.

We also check how resourced you feel on the day. Some people arrive fairly steady. Others arrive in a heightened stress state, or feeling flat and shut down. That distinguishes how we pace the work and what might need to be worked on first. 

How we decide the focus

Sometimes it’s appropriate to go straight into the core issue you’re coming for.

However  for some, the best use of the first session is preparatory work first, so your nervous system feels stronger and steadier, ready for the deeper work later on.

The “pattern spotting” if we’re working on past triggers

A lot of our work is about noticing how the brain has encoded the issue and being ‘detectives’ together.

We track the triggers, the associations, and the moments that carry the most emotional charge. But  the beauty of Havening is 

We’ll find the areas that are most likely to create a ripple effect when they shift. I’m intent on us doing the least work for the biggest change for you wherever possible. I’ll guide the process and we’ll decide on the pace together. 

The Havening itself

The Havening is deceptively simple ‘applied’ touch to the upper arms, palms and possibly the face if you’re comfortable. You can apply it yourself through self havening, or I can apply it allowing you to focus on the experience. The choice is simply what you are most comfortable with. Both are effective for you. 

You should find it soothing, comforting and calming. 

After the session

People’s responses vary.

A lot of people feel noticeably lighter or calmer straight away and a sense that things have ‘lifted and shifted’. 

Some people feel tired afterwards, frequently due to releasing an accumulation of stored emotions, or simply because we’ve covered a lot of ground. Either way, we’ll talk about what to expect and how to look after yourself afterwards.

Both can work well, it depends on you’re preferences and sometimes what we are working on together.

In-person is often a good fit if it feels more comfortable or safter having someone with you, or of you want a clean break from home, need privacy, or you simply like the feeling of having a dedicated space to do the work.

Online works well if travel is awkward, your schedule is tight, or you want to work from a familiar environment and feel comfortable with the idea of apply self havening (with guidance). We’ll choose what makes sense for you.

Here are a few useful things to look for to ensure you are in safe, expert hands:

• a practitioner who is a qualified Havening Practitioner (you can check here) and real experience with the kind of patterns you’re dealing with. ask for their credentials and what kind of experience and results they’ve seen with what you wish to work on.

• someone whose style, approach and pace feels safe for you, especially if your system is already overloaded or you’re working on past trauma. Ensure they are ‘trauma-informed’ and ask how much experience they have. Ask how they would approach your situation and trust your instinct as to whether that feels a comfortable fit for you.

• a clear process for what happens next, so you’re not left guessing after session one

• the ability to say “this isn’t the right fit or that’s beyond my scope” if appropriate. That’s a sign of a safe, professional practitioner. Ask them point you towards someone more suitable.

This is just a starting point for you. You can find out more here or I’d be more than happy to have a chat with you if you feel I may be a good fit for you.

Do I need to know exactly what I want to work on before I book?

No. A lot of people can describe the feeling and the impact, that’s really common. We can start there.

Can I do Havening online if getting to you is awkward?

Yes. Online sessions are available, and we can talk through what would suit you best.

How quickly can I usually get an appointment?

It varies week to week but it also depends on your circumstances and availability. If you’re able to be flexible, it’s usually within 2-3 weeks, sometimes sooner.

Is the first session really two hours?

Yes. It gives us space to assess, decide the right pace, and actually do meaningful work.