SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

What is Somatic Experiencing (SE)?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-centered therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma by focusing on the body's natural responses to traumatic events. SE was developed by trauma therapist Dr. Peter Levine in the 1970s.

How does Somatic Experiencing work?

According to Somatic Experiencing International, "The Somatic Experiencing approach facilitates the completion of self- protective motor responses and the release of thwarted survival energy bound in the body, thus addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms. This is approached by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions and working to complete defensive responses previously thwarted from bringing resolution to the nervous system and, therefore, to the individual."
 

In therapy sessions, we will be noticing how our nervous systems are responding, learn to increase tolerance and capacity through gentle titration, implement pendulation (the process of experiencing and releasing traumatic emotions), resourcing, and grounding.  

Why SE?

SE blended so well with EMDR and IFS therapy.  We really have two parts of the story--the brain part and the body part.  SE helps the body share the story, the emotions, and the trauma it has been holding.