Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders. It was developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine through his multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics; with over 45 years of successful clinical application.

Trauma may result from an acute event whereby an individual perceived threat to life or as the by-product of ongoing, cumulative stress. Both types can seriously impair a person’s ability to function and may produce a wide variety of symptoms. Many life events can cause this dysregulation of our internal physiology such as accidents, invasive medical procedures, sexual or physical assault, combat, emotional abuse/neglect, natural disasters, loss, birth trauma, or ongoing fear and conflict.

Somatic Experiencing is built on the neurobiology and physical science of stress and trauma; appreciating that these are not only mental but physiological states that exist inside the body. SE sees the resulting symptoms of PTSD, not as a failing of the individual to mentally process their experience, but as a result of a system that is “stuck” in the fight, flight, or freeze response. Of course, it is necessary to mentally process the events and their meaning as part of recovery, however, the body and mind need to be addressed in tandem for full healing to take place.

The Somatic Experiencing approach facilitates the completion of these self-protective motor responses and the release of compressed survival energy bound in the body. This is achieved by slowly guiding clients to develop an increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions, allowing the system to restore balance and resolve the root cause of trauma symptoms.