What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body based model of treatment for trauma and other stress disorders. Because SE focuses on the mind-body connection, SE enables deeper work than simply talking about things in a cognitive way. If past experiences in therapy have felt circular or ineffective, or conversely if past therapy has felt too overwhelming and draining, Somatic Experiencing might be helpful.
The body's response to stress involves the Fight, Flight, or Freeze process. When this process gets interrupted or suppressed, the nervous system gets overwhelmed and stuck. When someone’s distress reaction does not seem proportional to the situation, this is often an indicator of a stuck nervous system.
SE sessions draw attention to what's happening in the body and tracks those sensations while reprocessing stressful and traumatic experiences. The emphasis is not on simply talking about these experiences for a sense of temporary relief, but on working through them in a body-oriented fashion and creating opportunity for a different experience of past trauma by allowing the body to complete the stress response process.
SE helps people increase awareness of their body, regulate their emotions, and self-soothe while healing old wounds. Sessions are slow, focusing on micro-movements, but the effects are empowering and freeing.
For more information, please see the SE website:
