Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented approach that promotes healing from traumatic experiences. Peter Levine, the founder of SE, has said that trauma does not rest in the event but in the individual’s nervous system. Through an increased connection with our bodies and by allowing our bodies to resolve incomplete instinctual fight, flight and freeze responses, we can release trauma that has been stored in our bodies.
SE does not require the person to re-live the traumatic event. Instead, it is a gentle modality that allows the body’s nervous system to reset in a slow and supported way. This can lead to strengthening our resilience to stress and an increasing our capacity to enjoy life.
SE can be used exclusively in a therapy session or it can be used as a complement to a wide range of treatment approaches.
As a Practitioner of Somatic Experiencing (SEP), I have completed a 3 year training program comprised of 216 hours of training. In addition, as an SEP I have completed numerous hours of professional consultation and personal sessions.
Somatic Experiencing can successfully work with a range of traumatic experiences including but not limited to developmental trauma, emotional trauma, sexual abuse and/ or sexual assault, car accidents, medical procedures and medical traumas, grief, chronic pain, stress related illnesses, addictions and adults who were abused as children. SE can also help to feel more embodied in our daily lives and increased capacity to cope with daily stress.