About Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE) was developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, who has doctoral degrees in both medical bio-physics and psychology.  He recognized stored energies of fight-flight and freeze in patients of his with panic disorder and PTSD and began to develop techniques to access these lower brain systems in a safe, contained manner.  Peter, at the forefront of the new body-mind healing techniques of the ‘70s, has since been recognized as a major contributor in the field of traumatology.

This body-based approach is both educational and experiential in nature, helping an individual complete responses that were physiologically bound at the time of overwhelm.  With adequate resource, the body may have a physiological release and discharge. Sometimes these look like trembling or shaking or vibration and heat moving through the body. At other times, the individual may simply experience a state change to safety and calm during the work- so appreciated by individuals with C-PTSD.

A typical session is a seated, face-to-face interaction between practitioner and client. Sessions are usually 60 minutes, although they sometimes run longer.  Please give yourself adequate time to rest afterwards and drink plenty of water. It is more effective if you do not immediately return to work or a stressful activity.  

SE is considered valid for both shock trauma—single-episode traumatic experiences such as falls, accidents, attack, or natural disasters—and developmental traumas, which are cumulative and refer to interruptions in the predictable social-emotional stages of growth.

A restored sense of self, awareness of the gifts of experience and strengthened resiliency are common outcomes.  It also should not be overlooked that SE can at times be a deeply spiritual experience, as the journey of the soul sometimes parallels human suffering.  Profound awakenings can occur when freeing bound energies- which then will allow Life Force Energies to finally be accessible and available to you in your life.

In the truest bodily sense, trauma is about overwhelm. It has become much more prevalent in the past several years with the increasing strife on our planet - as well as the very real threat of environmental devastation. All living beings are now under increased survival stress and it is crucial that we begin to access the Gifts of our Neurobiology for healing and connecting. We are designed to heal, in the most basic and intrinsic way. Living in constant immobility and freeze does not have to be a way of life: we are not meant to stay “stuck.” SE offers a very real method for engaging the deep hard-wiring of both biological systems: those of Survival and of Loving, Bonding and Connecting.

Our bodies have evolved over the millenniums for survival, being part of the earth.  Although we may be separated from this early existence of fighting and fleeing the saber toothed tiger, our bodies continue to pump the adrenal hormones of catecholamines for the fight-flight responses that are hard wired at the very core of our nervous systems.  Overwhelming experiences may result in physical harm, or not, but if an individual perceives a life threat and, has lasting and prolonged symptoms of stress and dysregulation in their nervous system, they can be said to have Post Traumatic Stress Response. It is uncomfortable, frightening, inconvenient and makes us shy away from activities and connections with others and the environment.  If left untreated, these neuro-biological changes are thought to contribute to chronic medical conditions such as IBS, insomnia, fibromyalgia, panic attacks, chronic fatigue and pain, and numerous ‘auto-immune’ disorders etc.

The good news is that our bodies are also designed to self-regulate, complete a thwarted attack and release those stored energies.  This instinctual system is finely honed and with education, time and the right kind of support typically can be restored to wholeness and equilibrium. Building new neural pathways of mastery, flow and resiliency is our birthright as well!

Listen to Peter Levine describe his personal experience using SE and the importance of connection:

• Developmental Attachment Wounds

• Collective Trauma in the time of Collapse

• Generational Patterns in Families 

• Social Justice Traumas

• Invasive Medical Procedures/ Waking up during Surgery

• Dental Traumas

• Motor Vehicle Accidents 

• Near Death Experiences

• Attacks/Sexual Violence

• Witnessing Violence or Horror

• Physical and Emotional Abuse

• Natural Disasters

• Falls

• Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms

• Peri- , Pre-Natal and Birth Trauma 

• “Stacked” Grief and Loss