ABOUT SOMATIC EXPERIENCING®

“Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.”

— Peter Levine

“Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a body-oriented therapeutic model for healing trauma and other stress disorders. It is based on a multidisciplinary intersection of physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics and has been clinically applied for more than four decades. It is the life’s work of Dr. Peter A. Levine.” — Somatic Experiencing International website.

SE sessions offer support for resolving the aftereffects and remnants of trauma that manifest in the present day body as feelings of overwhelm, anxiety, stress, hyper vigilance, sleeplessness, mood swings, chronic pain, avoidance, and other challenging or seemingly unrelated symptoms.

Nearly everyone is effected by trauma — whether it be from long-term factors such as early childhood environments or acute incidents like accidents, falls, or medical procedures. In short, trauma can be viewed as anything that is “too much, too soon, without adequate support.”

A SE trauma therapist skillfully helps the recipient to notice small shifts in physical sensations and release trauma energy that is stuck in the fight, flight or freeze states of the nervous system, in a safe and manageable way. The aim is to restore regulation and wellness.

SE also has an optional and gentle touch component, helpful with both developmental trauma and shock trauma. The skilled touch can be used to help guide the body to restore regulation and resilience.