Havening
Havening is a gentle technique that helps people feel calmer when they are stressed, anxious, or upset. It involves lightly touching the arms, hands, or face while thinking about a difficult memory or feeling. This soothing touch helps the brain relax and reduces the emotional intensity connected to that memory. Developed by Ronald Ruden and Steven Ruden,
Each session is approximately 1 hour long and costs £75.
Sessions can take place face to face if you are local or by Zoom
What happens in a Havening Session?
A typical Havening session will include:
1. You choose something to work on
This might be a stressful memory, anxiety about something coming up, or just a strong uncomfortable feeling. You don’t have to describe every detail — just enough to notice the feeling.
2.You rate how intense it feels
You’re often asked to give the feeling a number (for example 0–10). This helps you notice the change as you go.
3. Soothing touch (the “havening”)
You gently stroke your arms, hands, shoulders, or face
(either yourself or guided by Angela)
4. Distraction or calming focus
While doing the touch, you might imagine calming scenes, count, hum, think of positive memories, follow simple mental tasks. This helps the brain switch out of threat mode.
5. Check the feeling again
You think about the original issue and rate it again. Usually the intensity drops, and the process repeats until it feels neutral or much calmer.
About Angela
Angela Bird, is a RMN, MA, Certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner based in Newton Abbot, Devon, United Kingdom
As a Mental Health Nurse, Certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner, with a Master’s degree (MA) in Coaching and Mentoring Practice, she brings a compassionate, trauma-informed, and evidence-informed approach to emotional well-being. My work is shaped by a blend of clinical expertise and coaching principles, creating a grounded, supportive space where clients can safely explore their inner world and move towards meaningful, sustainable change.
Having transitioned from the NHS into private practice, Angela now offers sessions both online and in person (within her local area), giving clients the flexibility to choose the environment that feels most comfortable for them. Her approach is guided by each individual’s needs, fostering trust, collaboration, and empowerment throughout the journey.
Angela’s coaching and mentoring training underpins her therapeutic style, enabling her to support clients in building self-awareness, inner strength, and confidence. Combined with the gentle, neuroscience-informed effectiveness of Havening Techniques®, this creates a holistic pathway for emotional regulation, healing, and personal development.
Angela has a particular interest in supporting clients experiencing:
- Anxiety & Stress
- Depression
- Exam & Interview Nerves
- Low Self-Confidence & Low Self-Esteem
- Shyness & Self-Belief
- Relationship Issues
- Grief & Bereavement
- Adolescents’ Emotional Well-being
- Confidence, Empowerment & Personal Development
- Belief Creation and Inner Strength
Havening Techniques® is a registered trademark of Ronald Ruden, 15 East 91st Street, New York, NY. www.havening.org
Client Feedback
‘Angela made me feel very secure during the session and dealt with my personal requirements with ease and comfort, even when we had to adapt the session to cater for my learning abilities’
‘Changing the words I associate with the experience from very negative ones and pushing those away to be replaced with more positive affirming ones was most helpful. Angela’s communication skills, her ability to put me at ease and her calm manner in presenting and talking through the exercises are excellent’
‘Angela made me feel very calm and safe. She clearly understood the issue I was presenting and gave me time to think and reflect as we went though the session’
‘Angela took the time to make me feel safe and checked in with me to make sure how she understood what I was saying was correct’
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