Somatic Experiencing
Explore somatic experiencing to regulate your nervous system, renegotiate trauma, and increase your capacity to experience the fullness of life.
What is somatic experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a body-centered therapeutic approach to healing from traumatic or overwhelming life situations and chronic stress. While traditional therapy tends to focus on story, thoughts, and working with the brain to heal trauma (top down), Somatic Experiencing believes that the body has an equally important role in healing trauma and chronic stress, working from the bottom up. This slow and gentle approach supports the body as it renegotiates the effects of trauma and stress, which have become trapped within the physiology, bringing the nervous system back into healthy rhythms so that innate qualities such as self-trust, congruence, vitality, creativity, ease, and aliveness are restored.
Its founder, Dr. Peter Levine, became intrigued with the impact of stress on animals’ nervous systems after he noticed that, despite being in constant threat of death, there were never any visible symptoms of trauma. Further research led to the understanding that trauma played into a third survival strategy—instead of fight or flight, there was freeze. If fighting or fleeing isn’t possible, animals will simply play dead, effectively freezing. However, if the massive amount of energy that is reserved for fight or flight isn’t fully released when freezing, the body may enter a continuous threat-cycle and never fully feel at ease. Peter Levine’s Somatic experiencing works on releasing this energy and turning off the body’s hand-break, in turn also turning off the threat alarm that causes dysregulation.
What does a session look like?
In Somatic Experiencing, we slow things way down and focus on the “felt sense” (the body’s present-moment experience) to access the body’s memory of the trauma (rather than the mental story). We work in a gentle, titrated way, at the pace of your individual nervous system, to minimize the likelihood of re-traumatization. By taking an inward journey and gradually reconnecting with bodily sensations, feelings, and making meaning of our experiences, we can complete thwarted responses and release intense survival energies that have been keeping our nervous system in a state of hyperarousal (stress) or hypoarousal (collapse, freeze).
You can read more about the Somatic Experiencing approach here.
Somatic experiencing techniques can help you learn to reconnect with your body and mind, slow down and take in the present moment and, through that, experience a number of healing breakthroughs.
Through somatic experiencing, you can:
Regulate your nervous system
Restore inner balance
Enhance resilience to stress
Increase vitality, equanimity, and capacity to actively engage in life
Book an appointment!
F.A.Q.
-
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a powerful approach to trauma resolution and healing. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE recognizes that trauma is not just a psychological phenomenon but also an embodied one – meaning it's stored in the body's nervous system.
SE works by gently guiding individuals to reconnect with their bodily sensations and rhythms, creating a safe space to explore and release stored trauma energy. Through a process of gradual titration and pendulation, SE helps individuals renegotiate their relationship with traumatic experiences, allowing them to discharge the trapped survival energy that often keeps them stuck in fight, flight, or freeze responses.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, SE doesn't require individuals to recount their traumatic experiences in detail. Instead, it focuses on tracking and gently intervening in the body's autonomic nervous system responses to gradually restore a sense of safety and regulation. By working with the body's innate wisdom and capacity for self-regulation, SE supports the natural healing process, fostering resilience, and promoting a renewed sense of well-being.
SE sessions may involve various somatic techniques, including gentle touch, movement, breathwork, and mindfulness practices, all tailored to each individual's unique needs and pace of healing. Over time, clients often experience increased self-awareness, emotional regulation, and a greater sense of empowerment as they reclaim their innate capacity for healing and wholeness.
-
Yes, Somatic Experiencing (SE) is supported by a growing body of research and evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in treating trauma-related symptoms. Numerous studies have shown positive outcomes in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related conditions. SE's efficacy is recognized by various mental health professionals, and it continues to be integrated into trauma treatment programs worldwide.
A study by Marwa A. Ahmed, Jürgen Matern, and Bita Ghafoori, called “Effectiveness of Somatic Experiencing® Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Humanitarian Trial for Refugees with PTSD Symptoms in Jordan", published in 2020 in Frontiers in Psychiatry, investigated the effectiveness of SE therapy in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Syrian refugees in Jordan. The randomized controlled trial demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among participants who received SE therapy compared to those in a waitlist control group. These findings contribute to the growing evidence supporting the efficacy of SE as a trauma treatment modality.
-
In a Somatic Experiencing (SE) session, the therapist creates a supportive and safe environment for the client to explore their bodily sensations and experiences related to stress and trauma. Here's an overview of what may typically happen:
Establishing Safety: The session begins with the therapist and client establishing a sense of safety and trust. This may involve discussing boundaries, confidentiality, and any concerns the client may have.
Tracking Sensations: The therapist helps the client orient to the present moment and invites them to tune into their bodily sensations, such as tension, warmth, or movement. The client learns to notice and describe these sensations with curiosity.
Exploring Trauma Responses: The therapist may gently guide the client to recall a traumatic event or situation while paying attention to their bodily responses. The client may notice physical sensations, emotions, or images associated with the trauma.
Pendulation: Throughout the session, the therapist helps the client navigate between the experience of activation (fight-flight responses) and deactivation (restorative responses). This process, known as pendulation, allows the client to gradually regulate their nervous system and release trapped energy related to the trauma.
Titration: The therapist supports the client in exploring the traumatic material in manageable doses, known as titration. This prevents overwhelming the client and allows for a gradual processing of the trauma.
Intervention: Depending on the client's needs, the therapist may use various interventions, such as gentle touch, movement, or breathwork, to support the release and integration of trauma energy.
Integration: Towards the end of the session, the therapist helps the client integrate their experiences and insights into their present awareness. This may involve grounding exercises or reflections on the session's themes.
Closure: The session concludes with a discussion of the client's experience, any insights gained, and plans for self-care between sessions. The therapist ensures the client feels grounded and supported as they transition back to their daily life.
There is no specific protocol or template for SE. Each SE session is tailored to the individual needs and pace of the client, guided by their unique experiences and therapeutic goals. The overarching aim is to support the client in reclaiming a sense of safety, regulation, and resilience in their body and mind.
-
Websites like the Somatic Experiencing International have a directory where you can search for certified SE practitioners by location. These directories often provide contact information and details about each practitioner's background and specialties. Follow this link: https://directory.traumahealing.org/
You may also check with professional associations related to somatic therapy or trauma treatment in your area. They may have resources or directories of practitioners, including those trained in SE.
Ask trusted healthcare providers, therapists, or friends for recommendations. They may know of SE practitioners in your area or be able to connect you with someone who specializes in trauma therapy.
Explore online therapy platforms that offer filters for specific modalities, including SE. These platforms allow you to search for therapists based on location, specialties, and availability.
Conduct online research to identify SE practitioners in your area. Once you find potential practitioners, reach out to them directly to inquire about their services, experience, and availability. Many practitioners offer free initial consultations to discuss your needs and determine if they're a good fit for you.
-
Online Videos: Search for SE exercises and demonstrations on video-sharing platforms like YouTube. Many SE practitioners and organizations share introductory exercises, guided meditations, and educational videos on trauma healing and somatic awareness.
Websites and Blogs: Explore websites and blogs dedicated to somatic therapy, trauma healing, and mindfulness. Some sites offer articles, blog posts, and downloadable resources with SE exercises and practices that you can try on your own.
Podcasts: Look for podcasts featuring interviews with SE practitioners or episodes discussing somatic therapy and trauma healing. Some podcasts may include guided exercises or discussions on integrating SE principles into daily life.
Books and Articles: Visit your local library or bookstore to find books on Somatic Experiencing and trauma recovery. Some authors provide exercises and techniques that you can practice independently. Additionally, search for articles and research papers on SE-related topics, which may include practical exercises and suggestions.
Online Courses and Workshops: Keep an eye out for free or low-cost online courses, workshops, and webinars on somatic therapy and SE. Some organizations offer introductory sessions or sample exercises as part of their educational offerings.
Remember to approach these exercises with self-awareness and self-compassion, and feel free to adapt them to suit your needs and preferences. If you find a particular exercise helpful, consider exploring more comprehensive resources or seeking guidance from a qualified SE practitioner for personalized support.
-
Peter Levine, the founder of SE, has written a number of books, all of which are good recommends which can give you great insights into SE and what influenced it. Some of those are Waking the Tiger, Healing Trauma and In an Unspoken Voice.
Other books on trauma;
When the Body Says No, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Vanderkolk.