Havening, also called Havening Techniques®, is a powerful method that uses gentle touch to help people heal from emotional pain and trauma. It was developed by Dr. Ronald Ruden, a medical doctor and scientist who spent years trying to understand why painful memories can cause people to keep suffering, sometimes long after the events have passed. Dr. Ruden wanted to find a way to help people feel better — not just by talking about their problems, but by actually changing how their brains react to old painful memories.
In the early 2000s, Dr. Ruden became fascinated by new research showing that when we remember something traumatic, there’s a short window of time when the memory becomes “unstable” — like a file on a computer that’s been opened for editing. During this time, it’s possible to change how the brain stores the memory. Dr. Ruden realized that if we could get in during that moment and create a calming, safe feeling in the body, the painful emotional charge attached to the memory could actually be erased — or at least greatly reduced.
As he continued researching, Dr. Ruden discovered that certain kinds of comforting touch — like gently rubbing the arms, face, and hands — can create powerful calming signals in the brain. This kind of touch produces slow brainwaves called delta waves, the same waves that help us relax deeply during sleep. These waves help the brain feel safe and calm, creating the perfect conditions for healing emotional wounds.
After lots of testing and refining, Dr. Ruden created what we now know as Havening. The name “Havening” comes from the word “haven,” meaning a safe place. It’s designed to help people feel safe while their brains rewire painful memories. His brother, Dr. Steven Ruden, a dentist who was also interested in how the brain can heal itself, worked closely with him to perfect the method.
The first major book describing Havening was When the Past is Always Present, published in 2010. In it, Dr. Ruden explained the science behind how and why Havening works — showing that trauma doesn’t have to be a life sentence. With the right approach, the brain can actually “unlink” the emotional pain from the memory.
Since then, Havening has spread around the world. Therapists, doctors, coaches, and even everyday people are learning and using it to help with all kinds of issues, including trauma, anxiety, grief, fears, anger, and more. One of the things that makes Havening so special is its simplicity: by using your own sense of touch, you can help your brain heal itself in a gentle and natural way.
Today, Havening continues to grow, with more research and new ideas helping to make it even better. But its core message remains the same: with the right support, it’s possible to break free from the emotional chains of the past and find peace, strength, and hope.