Somatic Experiencing (SE), pioneered by Peter Levine, is a healing body-centered somatic therapy practice. This approach incorporates a variety of tools and practices to promote an internal sense of safety, regulation, and agency. Practitioners receive certification from Somatic Experiencing International.
Goals of Somatic Therapy Sessions:
The primary goal of SE sessions is to regulate the nervous system and enhance nervous system resilience. Although conversations are part of the process similar to traditional therapy, the emphasis in SE is on enhancing sensory awareness. Additionally, the approach involves exploring movement impulses, addressing nervous system activation levels, developing a keen sense of personal boundaries, and more. Unlike conventional talk therapy, touch may be incorporated into sessions, always with explicit consent.
Advantages of a Somatic Experiencing Approach:
Gain the ability to confidently navigate through once intimidating situations with reduced fear
Enhanced comfort for the body, reducing discomfort
Improved capability at handling stressful events
Have more agency in how you respond to triggering experiences
Improved interpersonal communication abilities
Better sleep quality, reduced anxiety levels, increased concentration, and heightened motivation.
And much more!
It is valuable to consider the option of engaging in somatic therapy, traditional psychotherapy, or a combination of both.
Reasons to consider somatic experiencing sessions alongside, or instead of, traditional psychotherapy:
There is unresolved nervous system activation, overwhelming emotion, or uncomfortable body sensations that don’t seem to improve much with talk therapy
You’re tired of talking about the trauma, and you’d like to help your nervous system recover from it
You’ve been in talk therapy for awhile and feel you’d like to go deeper
You've been through an accident, challenging medical procedure, or other traumatic experience, and you are experiencing unwelcome sensations such as tension, anxiety, physical discomfort, emotional distress, or intrusive thoughts.
When new clients express any of the above motivations for transitioning to somatic therapy, I recommend the incorporation of both Somatic Experiencing (SE) and their current talk therapy simultaneously, at least initially. This approach can offer a more comprehensive form of support and establish a platform for integrating the insights gained through therapeutic conversations.
Further resources:
Here are some further resources to explore when considering somatic therapies:
· Article in Psychology Today: Somatic Therapy
· From VeryWell Mind: What is Somatic Therapy?
· From Harvard Health: What is somatic therapy?
· From Everyday Health: Somatic Therapy: What is it and How Does it work?
I also would recommend reading Peter Levine’s book, Healing Trauma. This is an accessible way for you to get started with some somatic tools on your own.
Thanks for reading, and as always feel free to reach out with questions via my website’s contact page, or peruse further resources here.
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