Somatic compassion was developed by Dr Robin Youngson, a trauma therapist in New Zealand who is also a Certified Havening Techniques® Practitioner and Trainer.
An award-winning medical specialist and international health leader, Robin spent many years promoting compassionate healthcare and running workshop with thousands of health professional in which they shared stories of human connection, compassion and healing.
Through these stories, Robin began to notice and understand the extraordinary capacity of human beings to heal themselves when supported by compassionate presence. In his work with Havening techniques, which also uses affective touch, he witnessed hundreds of clients spontaneously healing their trauma when he became playful and non-directive. He began to realise that the techniques were less important than his quality of presence and helping to create the ‘magical mind’ in clients, where their creative imagination could transform stories of trauma without any effort or guidance. These experiences are the basis of somatic compassion and the simple methods presented on this website.
Havening Techniques is trademarked and is taught as a formal qualification for registered mental health professionals. It’s based on a very detailed scientific theory of how trauma is stored in the brain and how it can be erased. Havening includes specific protocols, based on the scientific theory. It also has techniques that build on other established therapies and approaches, such as mindful noticing of feelings and strength-based counselling. The standard protocols in Havening Techniques do not make any reference to compassionate presence or the use of techniques, such as metaphor.
The foundation of somatic compassion is the extensive neuroscience of compassion and affective touch and how this changes brain function. It does not include the specific theories published by Dr Ron Ruden, the developer of Havening (de-potentiation of traumatic memories in the Amygdala).
The use of Havening Techniques are restricted to qualified mental health professionals who are certified in the techniques (and listed at https://havening.org/directory/grid/practitioners-list-grid). In the 13 years since the first training program in Havening Techniques, a little over a thousand practitioners have been Certified, worldwide, a small drop in the ocean compared to the growing mental health needs of our communities.
Dr Youngson wanted to develop methods that could be use by any ordinary person, for instance a friend, family member, peer supporter, or volunteer. These methods are shared freely and made available at very little cost. These methods do not constitute therapy, there is no training program or certification, and cannot be used to earn money. Read more about our philosophy.
Somatic compassion should not be attempted with any person who has a major mental health diagnosis, or is under the care of a psychiatrist. If in doubt, consult your mental health professional.