Somatic Experiencing

Somatic experiencing (SE) is a short-term naturalistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine and is supported by research. The word “trauma” in this sense covers a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms that result from the effect of accumulated stress on human physiology. SE is based upon the observations that wild prey animals, although threatened routinely, are rarely traumatized. Animals in the wild utilize innate mechanisms to regulate and discharge the high levels of energy arousal associated with defensive survival behaviors. These mechanisms provide animals with a built in “immunity” to trauma that enables them to return to normal in the aftermath of highly “charged” life threatening experiences. SE supports individuals in completing basic fight, flight, and freeze response patterns that remain inhibited after stressful or traumatic experiences. The completion of these response patterns brings a greater capacity for self-regulation as well as an increased sense of well-being and integration. Even though SE primarily targets issues of trauma, it is also an effective way of supporting individuals interested in expanding their ability to authentically be in the world physically, psychologically and spiritually. SE employs awareness of body sensations to help people to ‘renegotiate’ and heal rather than relive or re-enact trauma. SE provides guidance of the body "felt sense", allowing the highly aroused survival energies to be safely experienced and gradually discharged. SE may employ touch in support of the renegotiation process. SE uses the concept of titration (breaking down into small, incremental steps) to work with experiences, rather than evoking a catharsis - which can overwhelm the body's regulatory mechanisms. SE can result in a number of benefits to you, such as relief of traumatic stress symptoms, increased resiliency, and resourcefulness. Like any other treatment, it may also have unintended negative side effects, such as sleep disturbances, frightening memories, or unfamiliar and uncomfortable body sensations. Such reactions are not uncommon and can be attended to in the course of our work together. It is important that you are aware that there are other forms of body-oriented and somatic psychotherapy modalities that may also be helpful to you, such as EMDR, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, or Bodynamics. Obviously, there are also many non-somatic focused forms of psychotherapy and counseling that you can choose from that may also be helpful to you.