“Somatic Experiencing offers a new and helpful perspective on trauma. It views the human animal as a unique being endowed with an instinctual capacity to heal, as well as the instinctual spirit to harness that innate capacity.” -Peter Levine

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a therapeutic modality that focuses on the physical sensations in the body to address the effects of trauma. SE emphasizes body awareness rather than just thoughts and emotions.

Traumatic memory can get trapped in the body leading to ongoing symptoms even after the threat has passed. SE aims to gently release the trapped echoes of trauma by bringing awareness to physical sensations.

As we gently become more aware of how the body feels, how muscles tense or rest, how the heart beats, how the belly clenches or expands, and other sensations, we can explore and release constriction.

SE not only explores how stress manifests physically (e.g. lump in the throat, tight stomach, weight on the chest, clenching teeth) but also orients to the plethora of resources available within each body and environment (e.g. support of the feet, warmth of the sun).

With time, space, and support, befriending the body, exploring sensation, releasing constriction, and orienting to resource builds internal empowerment, resilience, and wellbeing.

I integrate Somatic Experiencing into all my work, especially with clients seeking to address biologically based behaviors that lead to chronic stress and disease.