TRAINING UPDATE!

The next programs are scheduled for 4th to 8th March 2024, and 6th to 10th May 2024  – See Registration below

What are Havening Techniques®

Havening Techniques® are a revolutionary, neuroscience-based approach to emotional trauma, PTSD, anxiety disorders and phobias. The practice is based on a detailed scientific understanding of how emotional trauma is hard-wired (encoded) in a part of the brain called the Amygdala, and how this encoding can be deleted in minutes, relieving clients of their symptoms. The detailed scientific explanation, down to the level of neurotransmitters, receptors and intracellular mechanisms, is researched and published in scientific journals, which makes Havening Techniques unique among psychological therapies.

As a doctor and medical specialist, I regard this new research as one of the most astonishing medical breakthroughs I have seen in my entire career. Medical science, as a whole, has greatly neglected the human capacity for self healing. The new research shows that we have inbuilt mechanisms to cure ourselves of emotional trauma and to relieve a wide range of associated, physical medical conditions. The rapid results I witness in my clients makes this the most astonishing and gratifying practice in my thirty-five years as a doctor.I have seen multiple clients cured of PTSD, severe depression, severe anxiety disorders, sexual trauma, phobias and chronic pain.

Five day, in-person, Havening retreat and leaning program

  • What if you could heal develop your capacity as an amazing healer, while also healing your own trauma, learning and applying Havening Techniques?
  • What if you could leave behind your anxiety, stress, and self-doubt, and come into joyous and energising practice?

Are you called to become part of a therapeutic community, a safe place where teachers and students alike share their life experiences, vulnerabilities, and heal together?

Would you like to dive deeply into the understanding and potential of Havening, and at the same time accelerate your progression to becoming a certified Havening practitioner?


Want to be part of a growing national community that advances Havening Techniques within mental health services in New Zealand?

Our mental health systems are overwhelmed, in crisis. A fundamentally different approach is required. Havening Techniques offer rapid, neuroscience-backed healing for both clients and stressed out practitioners.

Havening teaches us that every human being has innate healing capacity. When we step into the role of healers then we see amazing and life-changing results. Mental health practitioners need more than just new tools in client care – they need to become healers inside and out.


Join me for a world-first opportunity to experience Havening training while being part of an intimate therapeutic community

  • A five-day, in-person retreat in Raglan, New Zealand (Monday to Friday)
  • We begin with a deep process of welcome, introductions, exploring our purpose and making a shared commitment to our work together
  • We will take a deep dive into the science of trauma and how the Havening Techniques are built on that science
  • Together we will develop a deep understanding of how trauma shows up in our own lives, and how it can be healed
  • We will gain mastery of the main Havening Techniques through integrating teaching, practising on each other, group sessions, reflection and sharing
  • You will be offered individual support on your healing journey and will experience the amazing collective field of healing that arises in the group (as has occurred during the former two-day programs)
  • You will have time for personal quiet reflection and documenting your learning as we progress the formal requirements for certification.

The program includes:

  • Course pre-work including a self-paced, online Havening Science foundation, and self-assessment of learning/support needs
  • Beautiful, home-cooked food for lunch, morning and afternoon breaks (Meredith is renowned for her catering and hosting and will attend to your individual food needs)
  • Introduction to the Certification Portal, the Case History template, and the opportunity to submit Case Histories based on your Havening sessions during the program
  • Individual coaching and feedback from your trainer for the written case histories submitted after the training program (30 case histories are required in total)
  • Support to complete the online Science Review (a multiple-choice exam which is required for Certification)
  • Registration with the international Havening Techniques body with access to the online Student Portal to manage your certification requirements and access a vast range of valuable learning material and opportunities
  • Access to the international, private Havening Facebook Group (where you can get to meet Dr Ronald Ruden and many of the best practitioners in the world)

The program does not include:

  • Accommodation
  • Evening meals
  • Travel
  • US$99 fee paid to Havening Head Office, required for Certification and paid annually thereafter

There are many options for accommodation available in Raglan including the Raglan Sunset Motel, where we host the program, the camping ground cabins, and numerous AirBnB stays.

For full details of the international certification process, see this link: https://havening.org/about-havening/become-a-certified-practitioner

The price of the program

The investment in your personal development program is NZ$4,000 including tax. This includes all the costs of achieving Certification as a Havening Practitioner (other than the annual certification fee paid to Havening Head Office)

On registration you may pay the full $4,000 fee up-front, or a monthly subscription is available with a deposit of $1,000 plus seventeen monthly payments of $200 (total $4400).


Why choose this program?

The existing Havening Training – offered by many trainers around the world – is an intensive, two-day program that aims to teach new techniques to existing mental health professionals. Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, most of these training programs have been taken online, sometimes split over a number of days. Many of these courses are truly excellent, including those offered by the other New Zealand trainers.

I have hosted many Havening training programs over the last three years and while a proportion of students go on to become Certified Practitioners, many go back to the stress and overwhelm in their jobs and never realise their potential as amazing healers. My recent experience of training local volunteers over a longer stretch of time showed me the potential of a therapeutic learning community where we integrated our new knowledge into our own lives and practices.

My philosophy is that Havening is a sacred practice of human connection and touch. In this stressed and fragmented world, I feel that we don’t need more online courses, instead we need to come together in physical community. The biological basis of Havening Techniques shows us that human connection and touch is essential for healing. Therefore, I do not offer online training for Havening.

Our first duty as healers is to attend to our own healing. I believe our capacity to facilitate healing in others is governed by the extent of our own healing. Indeed, some of the best practitioners I have trained are former clients who have transcended their own suffering and bring forward their gifts and insights in service to others.

You do not need to be a registered mental health professional to attend this program. The retreat is open to people of varied backgrounds, who have a commitment to healing work.

Would the previous attendees recommend the five-day program? (100% feedback)

Absolutely. As I said before.. the space and time provided created a very safe and strong foundation to build this learning experience on.

Absolutely! I couldn’t imagine gaining the same outcomes in a 2 day course. The 5 day reflected to me, all that I now believe Havening to be about – putting the client (which in this case is the participant) into a ‘safe haven’ to learn, heal and then take forward these incredible tools to others.

ABSOLUTELY 100% – time and space is vital for building a deep sense of trust and safety in that space. I doubt we would have been able to offer each other the same deeply compassionate presence without the gift of time for that process to unfold. It took me the whole first day to settle in but by the second day, I felt ready to have a go at providing Havening for another human being. In terms of the actual healing work, having Tues and Thurs as the more intense days to do and receive Havening worked beautifully, with that intervening day an opportunity to co-exist, digest, bond, have deep conversations.

I absolutely agree that we need to be modelling the unfolding/subtle approach in all that we do. This was perfect. I did not realise that the idea of a short, intense 2 day training was an active barrier for me – but it was.

Definitely! I can’t imagine doing this training in 2 days; it would completely undermine the complexity of the work. The 5 days were spacious. There was time to create safety and connection and community. Also, time to digest some of the quantity and complexity of the material.

Yes, It gave space to stop and get in touch with myself and integrate the learning.

YES! It was a brilliant training. I think it really helped to firmly establish the therapy and understand the power of its application.

Absolutely! It allowed immersion in the learning that we wouldn’t have been able to achieve in two days. It also facilitated connectivity and shared learning amongst the group which was priceless. Without the feeling of safety that was nurtured over this longer time there would not have been such open and honest sharing in the practice sessions which would have compromised our learning.

Yes I would, if it had been any shorter we would not have been able to connect the same. It’s not only the theory that is important but building relationships, accepting each other/not judging and sharing a space that is safe in a peaceful environment and not rushed.

Yes because it gave the time to process, reflect and consolidate without being overwhelmed by the science. It enabled rapport to be built with facilitators and other participants.

Yes. We need to be so aware of where we come from ourselves in order to really help others. And we need to commit the time intentionally.

Yes, particularly for those who are committed to their own healing. Truth is though, a lot of counsellors/mental health professionals lack self awareness and are not committed. If I think of some people who did the September course with me last year, they probably would have been very resistant to some aspects of what we created last week. I think it is good to promote the 5 day as the course AND a retreat, so people have an idea of what they are signing up for.

Absolutely! I really don’t think I would have had the confidence to go ahead and start havening if I had done a 2 day version. A 5 day timeframe has a much better chance of creating a future havening workforce.

Having 5 full days allowed me to break away from family and work, it allowed me to go deeper, and made it feel effortless. I also left with a new group of friends, it was much more than just two days crammed full- I am certain that would have put me off. The grace of time allowed for a better learning experience.

Training Location

All training events are held at the Raglan Sunset Motel, Bankart Street, Raglan, Waikato, New Zealand. Raglan is a delightful, seaside town and the venue is minutes from shops, restaurants and beaches. More information can be found at the Official Visitor Centre. The training costs include morning and afternoon tea/coffee and lunch. The motel offers a discount accommodation cost of $170 per night for studio units, for those attending the training course. There are many other options for accommodation in Raglan.

Travel to Raglan

The nearest city is Hamilton, 45 minutes drive. Hamilton Airport has a comprehensive schedule of regional flights. Auckland (the biggest city in New Zealand) is two hours drive from Raglan. Auckland Airport is one hour and 45 minutes. Raglan Shuttle offers convenient airport transfers and pick-ups from other locations, with a door-to-door service.

Joint Faculty

My co-facilitator for the training courses is Dr Kamaia Pere, a superb teacher and coach.

At all the Havening Training courses I am joined by established Havening Practitioners who help with coaching and supervision of the hands-on training.

Hours of Training

The training program runs from 9am to 5pm each day, Monday to Friday.

Door will open at 8.30am on the Monday.

Morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea breaks will be catered.

Dr Robin Youngson, Certified Havening Trainer

Dr Robin Youngson is a Certified Havening Techniques Practitioner, and Certified Trainer. Starting his career as an engineer, he subsequently trained in medicine and has been a practising anesthesiologist for more than thirty years. In a wide-ranging career, Robin has held many leadership roles, including being a healthcare advisor to the New Zealand government and the World Health Organisation. He was the co-author of the report that established national priorities and strategies for healthcare quality and safety in NZ. In addition, Robin is an international campaigner for humane and compassionate healthcare, which work has taken him to fifteen countries. He is a renowned speaker (TEDx talk here), author and trainer who never fails to engage both the hearts and minds of his audience members. In 2016, he was awarded the highest honour of the New Zealand Medical Association, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to health in New Zealand.

He has now retired from medical practice and works full time as a Havening Practitioner and Trainer based at his clinic in Raglan.

Dr Youngson is a natural teacher and understands human nature so well. Truly well done. The science teaching is masterful.” – Dr Ronald Ruden, developer of Havening Techniques

Feedback from previous training events

Written feedback from the last training course:

Quality of Presenters:

100% ‘EXCELLENT’

Your enjoyment of the program:

100% ‘EXCELLENT’

The overall quality of the learning experience:

100% ‘EXCELLENT’

The quality of the hosting and welcome:

100% ‘EXCELLENT’

The quality of the food:

100% ‘EXCELLENT’

Would you recommend Havening Training to others and why?

“Yes! It’s a technique that needs to be disseminated in healthcare.”

“In a heartbeat!”

“Absolutely!”

“Without hesitation”

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