Psychosensory therapies use sensory input to generate a beneficial change in the brain, either temporarily or permanently. This input differentiates these techniques from talk therapy and drug therapy. The active ingredient in psychosensory therapy is called an electroceutical, which is anything that uses electrical stimulation to modify brain function. In psychosensory techniques, touch is used to create electroceutical delta waves in the brain.
There are two major divisions of psychosensory therapies:
- Those that activate the mind with a particular memory
- Those that do not direct the mind to a particular memory
Techniques that use a memory have the potential to de-encode the emotional, cognitive, and sensory components of a traumatising event. Both types can downregulate the response to stressors and prevent the generation of symptoms.
Here are some of the psychosensory therapies discussed in the sources:
- Havening Techniques®: Havening uses touch to eliminate unwanted feelings from distressing memories and events. It is based on current neuroscience, is easy to learn, and can be self-applied.
- Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT): This is a tapping technique that stimulates acupressure points while focusing on the emotional issue.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements, to process traumatic memories. It does not require the client to speak about the details of the trauma.
- Thought Field Therapy (TFT): TFT involves tapping on specific points on the body in a particular sequence to address emotional issues.
- Yoga: Yoga uses physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to promote well-being and reduce stress.
- Acupuncture/Acupressure: These techniques involve stimulating specific points on the body to promote healing.
- Exercise: Physical activity can reduce stress and improve mood.
- Aromatherapy: The use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes.
- Craniosacral Therapy: A gentle, hands-on therapy that focuses on the bones of the head, spine, and sacrum.
- Meditation/Relaxation: Practices that help to calm the mind and body.
- Biofeedback/Neurofeedback: Techniques that provide feedback on physiological functions, allowing individuals to learn self-regulation.
- Music Therapy: The use of music to address physical, emotional, and cognitive needs.
- Massage Therapy: Manual manipulation of soft tissues to promote relaxation and well-being.
- Somatic Experiencing: This approach focuses on drawing out the sensory information that is blocked and frozen by trauma, helping patients befriend the energies released by that inner experience and to complete self-preserving physical actions that were thwarted.
- Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: This form of therapy addresses trauma through the body and can lead to a resolution of physical symptoms.
- Psychomotor therapy: This technique tracks subtle shifts in body posture, facial expression, tone of voice and eye gaze as non-verbal expressions of emotion.
Here’s how to use some of these techniques:
Havening Techniques®
- Self-Havening: Individuals can apply the Havening touch to themselves by stroking their face, arms, and hands. This can induce delta waves, which promote feelings of calm, safety, and relaxation. When using self-havening, it’s important to focus on what is happening in the brain, to understand that these are biological responses, and not something to be scared of or ashamed of.
- Event Havening: Event Havening is a technique that is particularly easy to use and difficult to do incorrectly. It involves applying the Havening touch while thinking about a stressful event.
- Professional Application: Clinicians can use Havening with clients in a session, as well as train clients to self-haven. It is important to explain the neuroscience behind the technique and gain client consent, to create a safe environment before applying the touch. It is crucial to ensure the client is comfortable and in control.
- Learning Havening: It’s recommended to get hands-on experience with Havening, either by attending a training, or finding a good practitioner. Training and certification ensures competence, especially when working with people who have experienced trauma.
EMDR
- Process: EMDR involves a client focusing on a traumatic memory while engaging in bilateral stimulation (e.g., eye movements, tapping). This is thought to facilitate the processing of the memory, which reduces its emotional impact.
- Key instruction: The key instruction is ‘Notice that’.
- Language: EMDR does not require the client to talk about their experiences and allows the client to fully focus on the internal experience with sometimes extraordinary results.
Somatic Experiencing and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
- Focus: These approaches focus on the body’s response to trauma, rather than just talking about the experience.
- Application: Therapists using these techniques work to draw out sensory information blocked by trauma, help patients befriend the released energy, and facilitate completion of thwarted self-preserving actions.
- Microtracking: These techniques involve careful tracking of subtle shifts in body posture, facial expression, tone of voice, and eye gaze as non-verbal expressions of emotion.
General Considerations:
- Touch: Touch can be a powerful tool in therapy, but it must be used with respect and permission. In some situations, self-administered touch (such as in self-havening) is preferred.
- Mind-Body Connection: Many psychosensory therapies recognise the connection between the mind and body. These therapies may incorporate movement, breathing, and sensory awareness to promote healing and reduce anxiety.
- Client-Centered Approach: Therapy should be about the client’s needs, and the therapist should be willing to adjust techniques and listen to client preferences.
- Neuroscience: Understanding the neuroscience behind these techniques is important for both therapists and clients.
- Training: Therapists should seek proper training in any psychosensory technique they use. For some techniques, like Havening, training and certification are recommended, especially when working with clients who have experienced trauma.
These techniques are not a replacement for medical care or other forms of psychotherapy. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.