Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE)

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based, therapeutic approach to healing trauma, developed by Dr. Peter Levine. This therapeutic method gently resolves traumatic shock stored in the body and nervous system, helping to restore balance and safety. SE enables clients to regulate their autonomic nervous system, enhancing their sense of safety and well-being.

SE focuses on the physical sensations within the body, helping individuals release tension and recover from past experiences. This includes developmental traumas, such as childhood neglect, abuse, and ongoing medical or physical issues. They also effectively work with shock traumas, including motor vehicle accidents, assaults, surgeries, and falls.

In a typical session, the Somatic Experiencing (SE) trauma resolution method does not require you to re-tell or re-live the traumatic event. Instead, it focuses on slowly and supportively engaging with your body's instinctual fight, flight, and freeze responses, allowing them to complete and resolve. You will be guided through various exercises and techniques designed to help you release the tension and stress stored in your body. By attending to these bodily sensations, SE can be a powerful tool for those who have experienced trauma or chronic stress. This process helps reset your nervous system, restore inner balance, enhance resilience to stress, and increase your vitality, equanimity, and capacity to engage actively in life.