Somatic Experiencing®

WHAT IS SOMATIC EXPERIENCING?

Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented approach to treating trauma and other stress disorders. Clinical interventions cater directly to the body and the nervous system to release stuck energy and interrupt repeated patterns of dysfunction explained by unresolved trauma wounds. 

The SE approach offers a framework for understanding how those impacted by trauma continue to live under threat (or as if the traumatic event is still happening), how to help the body fulfill the protective response that was/is needed, and how to contact safety in the present. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

1.  A lot of “Where in the body do you notice that?” (tracking sensation)

 Somatic experiencing involves working directly with the body to release stuck energy and restore balance between autonomic states. SE practitioners vary in style, but most will invite clients to pause and notice what is happening in the body as they confront a significant thought or memory. Bringing attention to the body is a built-in mechanism for slowing down the nervous system and supports more effective processing.  

2.  Smaller doses and a slower pace

Somatic experiencing does not rush the process of healing trauma, and for good reason. Avoidance/defense mechanisms are essentially PTSD symptoms that serve to protect us from the pain of trauma from the past. Diving right in and going too fast can understandably trigger our alarm system and thus a stronger protective response. SE aims to pace trauma work appropriately by working with the traumatic material in small, manageable doses. This helps prevent re-traumatization and allows the nervous system to gradually integrate the experiences. 

3. Less story talk, more body talk

Unlike traditional talk therapies, somatic experiencing can be practiced (often actually, more effectively) without needing clients to rehash stories of traumatic/stressful events. Your story will not be dismissed, but it may just be broken down into smaller pieces and translated into language of what is happening in the body. 

If this is all too overwhelming to take in, then I encourage you to let it go. SE looks different with every client, with every nervous system… and it’s not for everybody. We can invite the body into our work as much or as little as you want! 

Read more about Somatic Experiencing here: https://traumahealing.org/se-101/