What is haptonomy?
Haptonomy is a school of thought which holds that touch is the basis for the development of every human being. Its starting point is the positive effect of touch on the body, through which someone learns to feel important signals that the body gives.
The word haptonomy combines two words that together mean: the laws of feeling.
The founder, Frans Veldman (1921-2010), assumed that the body is the carrier of feelings. Through touch, awareness of the life of feeling arises, and problems and blockages come to light as well. Balance can be reached by finding self-image and self-confidence again.
Haptotherapy
The haptotherapist uses haptonomy as the basis for the therapy. Through conversations and touch the therapist creates room for awareness and personal development. The focus is on the person behind the complaints.
What can haptotherapy help with?
Haptotherapy can bring about various positive effects, for example learning to set boundaries between yourself and others, discovering and learning to trust your own needs, or learning to pace your energy. Communication with others can improve too. With illness or disability, room for acceptance can arise.
What is haptotherapy used for?
Haptotherapy is used widely for the treatment of various mental and physical complaints. Examples are trauma and unprocessed experiences, depression, stress, burn-out, tiredness and (chronic) pain. The therapy can also help with relationship problems. Other uses are support during chemotherapy and with fear of childbirth.
Haptotherapy is best known in the Netherlands and neighbouring countries. Whether it is available differs from country to country.
Prof. dr. Jim van Os, Chair Division Neuroscience, Utrecht University Medical Centre. Jim works at the interface of ‘hard’ brain science, health services research, art and subjective experiences of people with ‘lived experience’ in mental healthcare.
Jim has been appearing on the Thomson-Reuter Web of Science list of ‘most influential scientific minds of our time’ since 2014. In 2014 he published his book ‘Beyond DSM-5‘, and in 2016 the book ‘Good Mental Health Care’. In 2026 he published 'Wat psychisch lijden is'.
Want to read more?
Blogs by Jim van Os can be read here
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