The name Haptonomy is derived from the conjunction of the classic greek terms « hapsis » which means tactile contact, sense, feeling ; and « nomos » which means, law, rule, the norm. Hapto means : I establish a relationship through tactile contact in order to heal, to make whole, to confirm the others existence.

This haptonomic contact, of a thymotactile type, affectively confirms the recipient in the Good that he could, or does, represent, and strengthens him in his existential way of being, thus creating a basic state of security from which to flourish and develop his own authentic identity.

All these terms and concepts are inherent in the haptonomic phenomenality as it is developed by Frans Veldman, Researcher in Life Sciences and founder of Haptonomy since 1942, on the basis of his research, discoveries and clinical experiments. Haptonomy is a science based on the observation of, and experience with phenomena ; phenomena which can be reproduced, and verified. It is based on the clear and evident conclusions drawn from phenomena, which characterise in a very specific way the emotional experience of humans.

By nature the human is a social being, he needs social contact, he depends totally upon this social contact for his integration into the sphere of human life. He is created in order to enter into and maintain relations with his fellow man, especially concerning emotional (affective) relations.

Affective fulfilment and psychic health are dependent upon the reassurance and confirmation which he receives from his fellow man, especially those close to him, concerning his existence and more particularly his affective relations. Haptonomy reveals that this is the case from the moment of conception and during the entire period of associative, pseudo-symbiotic life spent in his mother’s womb.

Haptonomy encompasses the whole of human life, from conception to death. It is because of this that specific applications have been developed for use in all phases of life and in diverse branches of health care.
(see : Applications and Schoolings).