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Comparing Havening Techniques and EMDR for Trauma and Anxiety

Both Havening Techniques and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) are methods for addressing distressing experiences, including those related to work anxiety. Key differences include the perceived speed of the techniques, with Havening often described as faster. Havening can be performed content-free, meaning verbal disclosure of details is not always necessary, unlike EMDR which typically involves more recounting. The mechanisms differ, with Havening focusing on depotentiation of encoded traumatic memories in the amygdala through touch, and EMDR using eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. Havening is also easily taught for self-application and can be effectively integrated with other therapeutic approaches. Havening clients report not being re-traumatised during the process. While EMDR is an established trauma treatment, Havening is a newer approach focused on rapid processing and client empowerment.

The Amygdala Brain Function

The amygdala is a critical part of the brain’s emotional processing system, primarily involved in detecting threats and generating fear and anxiety responses. It forms emotional memories that can influence future reactions. While its protective function is vital, an overactive amygdala or the misinterpretation of non-threatening stimuli can lead to negative issues such as heightened anxiety and inappropriate fear responses. Individuals can employ various self-help strategies like deep breathing, mindfulness, exercise, and trigger identification to help regulate amygdala activity. However, when anxiety significantly impacts life, professional help from therapists offering CBT, ACT, exposure therapy, or EMDR, and potentially medication, can provide more targeted support in retraining the amygdala and managing anxiety.

Sensory Pathways to Healing: The Rise and Integration of Psychosensory Therapy

Psychosensory therapy, with origins in traditional practices and modern neuroscience, is increasingly effective in mental health by directly influencing neurobiological states through sensory input. Techniques like Havening, EFT, and EMDR target the amygdala and can facilitate the processing of trauma and reduce anxiety. These therapies offer rapid, gentle, and empowering approaches for issues such as panic attacks, phobias, PTSD, chronic pain, and addictions. Psychosensory therapy integrates well with future-oriented modalities like SFBT, coaching, and NLP by quickly reducing distress, fostering self-empowerment, and creating a more receptive state for change and goal achievement.

Psychosensory Therapy: An Overview

Psychosensory therapy uses sensory input to alter moods, sensations, thinking and behaviour. Unlike talk and drug therapies, psychosensory therapy employs sensory input to generate an extrasensory response, affecting beneficial change in the brain. Techniques like Havening use touch to create delta waves, depotentiate traumatic experiences, and provide a healing haven for the amygdala. By addressing both the mind and body, psychosensory therapy offers an alternative or complementary approach to overcoming anxiety, phobias, stress and panic attacks, with potential advantages over traditional methods like CBT, especially in treating trauma.

Psycho Sensory Techniques: Tools for Therapists and Coaches

Psycho sensory techniques use sensory input to alter mood and behaviour. Techniques like Havening, EFT, EMDR, and mindfulness can be used by conventional therapists as adjuncts to talk therapy to treat trauma and reduce anxiety. Benefits include emotional regulation, stress reduction, self-awareness, and improved coping skills. Anxiety coaches use these techniques to reduce stress, build resilience, address trauma, and clarify values, enabling clients to manage overwhelm, burnout, and anxiety effectively.