About Somatic Experiencing®

What is Somatic Experiencing®?

Somatic Experiencing® was developed by Dr. Peter Levine, world-renowned biophysicist (California at Berkeley) and psychologist (International University), and is described by the Somatic Experiencing® Trauma Institute as “a body-awareness approach to trauma being taught throughout the world. It is the result of over forty years of observation, research, and hands-on development by Dr. Levine.”

Based on Biology

Through studying the innate way that animals in the wild are able to survive and overcome life-threatening situations while avoiding becoming traumatized, Somatic Experiencing® follows neurobiological principals and utilizes the client’s own perceived bodily sensations in order to aid in the regulation of the nervous system.

Freedom from Trauma

Typically, animals, when faced with life-threatening situations employ innate survival mechanisms (fight, flight, freeze) in order to survive, and are then able to effectively move through or “discharge” this utilized energy in order to recover and emerge from the life-threatening situation without becoming traumatized. However, in humans, when this process of moving through the energy is incomplete, a dis-regulation of the person’s nervous system results which can cause a myriad of disruptive symptoms such as those found in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Through utilizing the client’s own perceived bodily sensations, it is possible to effectively help the client become “unstuck” and allow the nervous system to re-regulate, thus freeing the client from the negative symptoms and restoring their sense of wholeness.

Life-Long Healing

Somatic Experiencing® can be utilized with nearly anyone, from birth throughout life and the tools learned can be utilized for the rest of your life! Whether you are suffering from symptoms related to a single event or to a series of traumatic events, this approach has been found to be effective.

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

    Rather than re-living trauma, Somatic Experiencing® aids the completion of threat responses (fight/flight) that were thwarted by the original trauma. This facilitates re-processing of the original trauma in a way that allows the nervous system to reintegrate and regulate toward health.

  • Developmental Trauma

    Trauma experienced while we are young or developing, even as early as in the womb, can have lasting, significant impact on the rest of our lives. Somatic Experiencing®, incorporated with attachment work can provide life-long healing and resolution, allowing clients to experience life and relationship in a profoundly different way.

  • Shock Traumas

    Somatic Experiencing® is highly effective in working with the trauma experienced in unexpected situations, such as car crashes, or what are classified as “shock traumas.” Often these traumas can be resolved, resulting in a return to normal functioning.

  • Other

    In addition to these categories, Somatic Experiencing® is effective in working with depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, grief, phobias, prenatal or postnatal and birth traumas, survival of natural disasters, survival of domestic abuse, attacks, and medical/surgical trauma.

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”

— Albert Camus