Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body oriented therapeutic approach that aims to heal trauma and various chronic stress disorders. This method is developed by Peter Levine Ph.D. as a multidisciplinary model of psychotherapy, stress physiology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices as well as medical biophysics with more than 45 years of promising clinical research and application. Dr. Peter A. Levine received his Ph.D. in medical biophysics from the University of California in Berkeley and also holds a doctorate in psychology from International University. As a psychologist, researcher and former stress consultant for NASA, Peter’s original contribution to the field of Body-Psychotherapy was honored in 2010 when he received the Lifetime Achievement award from the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy (USABP). That same year he also received the honorary Reis Davis Chair in Child Psychiatry for his innovative contribution to therapy for children and adolescents.
Trauma can be caused by acute incidental stressors, chronic stressors and complex developmental stressors; for example, sexual assault, car accident, birth trauma, natural disaster, domestic violence, bullying, childhood abuse, neglect and more. The symptoms are commonly psychosomatic, shown as flashbacks, emotional outbursts, fatigue, panic attack etc. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or Complex PTSD can take a heavy toll in one's life even years after the traumatic event. Body-oriented psychotherapy effectively releases traumatic memories in the brain and nervous system to restore a sense of vitality, relaxation and wholeness.
SE is based on cutting edge research of the PolyVagal theory as well as trauma and attachment theories of Alan Schore. SE works to address both physical and psychological symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, trauma and abuse, relationship as well as sexual issues. Differing from traditional talk therapy, SE engages self-awareness of bodily sensations or "felt sense" to gently introduce traumatic shock trapped in the body to various calming strategies in order to safely discharge overwhelming memories. SE works to relieve emotional and bodily stress stored in the autonomic nervous system following the traumatic experiences. This is an organic healing process that gradually restores inner resilience, balance and wellness. SE practitioners are carefully trained not to re-traumatize the client and at the same time to reform and release the trapped traumatic shock in the body and psyche shown as anxiety, hypervigilance, aggression or shame. Clients are taught to rediscover innate self-regulating strategies to calm themselves and gradually find a safe place of inner strength and resilience within their body and environment.
Trauma can be caused by acute incidental stressors, chronic stressors and complex developmental stressors; for example, sexual assault, car accident, birth trauma, natural disaster, domestic violence, bullying, childhood abuse, neglect and more. The symptoms are commonly psychosomatic, shown as flashbacks, emotional outbursts, fatigue, panic attack etc. PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) or Complex PTSD can take a heavy toll in one's life even years after the traumatic event. Body-oriented psychotherapy effectively releases traumatic memories in the brain and nervous system to restore a sense of vitality, relaxation and wholeness.
SE is based on cutting edge research of the PolyVagal theory as well as trauma and attachment theories of Alan Schore. SE works to address both physical and psychological symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, trauma and abuse, relationship as well as sexual issues. Differing from traditional talk therapy, SE engages self-awareness of bodily sensations or "felt sense" to gently introduce traumatic shock trapped in the body to various calming strategies in order to safely discharge overwhelming memories. SE works to relieve emotional and bodily stress stored in the autonomic nervous system following the traumatic experiences. This is an organic healing process that gradually restores inner resilience, balance and wellness. SE practitioners are carefully trained not to re-traumatize the client and at the same time to reform and release the trapped traumatic shock in the body and psyche shown as anxiety, hypervigilance, aggression or shame. Clients are taught to rediscover innate self-regulating strategies to calm themselves and gradually find a safe place of inner strength and resilience within their body and environment.