What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine after observing how animals in the wild naturally recover from threatening situations.
This therapy focuses on resolving trauma and stress disorders by working with your body’s nervous system responses.
The Science Behind Somatic Experiencing
Our nervous system has natural responses to threat: fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. In the wild, animals naturally complete these responses and return to balance.
However, humans often interrupt this natural cycle, leaving our nervous systems stuck in stress responses. SE therapy helps complete these interrupted processes, restoring your system’s natural resilience.
How Does It Work?
Somatic Experiencing therapy works through a process called “titration” – approaching traumatic sensations in small, manageable amounts.
Your therapist guides you to notice physical sensations in your body, recognize your nervous system’s patterns, and gradually release stored stress responses. This gentle approach helps you build capacity to handle emotional and physical experiences.
The Treatment Process
Initial Assessment
We begin with understanding your history and current challenges. Your therapist will explain how trauma affects the nervous system and introduce basic tracking skills. These first sessions establish a foundation of safety and understanding for our work together.
Building Resources
Early sessions focus on developing your ability to feel safe in your body and identify sources of support in your environment.
You’ll learn to recognize signs of regulation and dysregulation while practicing grounding techniques that connect you with your body’s natural resilience.
Core Treatment
During regular sessions, you’ll learn to track bodily sensations as they emerge and recognize patterns of activation and settling. Your therapist will guide you through a process called pendulation—moving between states of activation and calm.
This helps complete interrupted survival responses and develops your capacity for presence and regulation.
Integration
As treatment progresses, you’ll begin applying these skills in daily life.
Many clients notice changes in their stress responses, experience greater emotional regulation, and feel more connected to their bodies. This phase focuses on building lasting resilience and incorporating new patterns into everyday situations.
What to Expect in Sessions
Session Structure
Each session includes a check-in about current experiences, gentle guidance in tracking sensations, support in managing activation, and integration of experiences. Your therapist will provide resources for between-session practice.
The Role of Touch
Some Somatic Experiencing practitioners use supportive touch to help regulate the nervous system. This is always optional and discussed thoroughly beforehand. In online sessions, self-touch techniques may be taught instead.
Online Somatic Experiencing Sessions
Our online sessions maintain the effectiveness of in-person work through careful attention to creating a safe virtual space, modified tracking techniques, and guidance in using your environment as a resource. Regular check-ins ensure you feel supported throughout the process.
Benefits of Somatic Experiencing
Clients often report reduced anxiety and stress symptoms, better sleep and digestion, increased body awareness, improved emotional regulation, greater resilience to life challenges, and an enhanced sense of presence and aliveness.
Is Somatic Experiencing Right for You?
Consider Somatic Experiencing therapy if you experience anxiety or stress-related symptoms, have unresolved trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), feel disconnected from your body, notice recurring physical tension, want to develop better stress management, or seek lasting resolution rather than just coping skills.
Our Commitment to Care
All our Somatic Experiencing practitioners are trained to provide a safe, supportive environment for this gentle yet powerful work, whether online or in-person.
Getting Started
Contact our clinic to schedule an initial consultation. We’ll match you with a Somatic Experiencing practitioner who can help determine if this approach suits your needs. Your healing journey begins with understanding your own nervous system, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
