Somatic Experiencing
Helps you interpret and acknowledge your nervous system responses to help regulate stress that is impacting your physical, emotional, and relational well-being.
How Does this Therapeutic Approach Work?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a naturalistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine and that has been supported by peer reviewed research. This therapeutic approach is based upon the observation that wild prey animals, though 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 resolves these symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma that accumulate in our bodies. When we are stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or freeze, SE helps us release, recover, and become more resilient. This therapeutic approach guides you through the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which is based on a Blackfoot Nation concept.
For more information and references to Somatic Experiencing, visit traumahealing.org.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is informed by the Blackfoot Nation. But this concept is expansive of time & multiple dimensions of reality. (2008; Wadsworth)
What to expect with Somatic Experience Therapy
Learning Body Sensations
Somatic Experiencing employs awareness of body sensation to help people “renegotiate” and heal rather than re-live or re-enact trauma.
Calming The Nervous System
Through talk therapy there is a guidance of the bodily "felt sense," allows the highly aroused survival energies to be safely experienced and gradually discharged.
Creating Self Actualization
Learning to "titrate" your experiences by breaking them down, rather than creating overwhelm. The goal is to regain trust within yourself.
Free Resources
Grounding Exercise
This technique helps you to become grounded in the present moment and fostering a sense of safety.
Orientation Exercise
Orientation is the process by which we pay attention to our environment, both internally and externally. We can make decisions about how to care for ourselves based on the information we gather.
Body Sensations
A difficult part for beginners is to describe their body sensations. Here are some examples of how sensations can show up in the body.