Somatic Experiencing (SE) Therapy is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, aimed at addressing trauma and its effects on the body. It focuses on the connection between the mind and body and how trauma can be stored in the body’s nervous system.
When we experience traumatic situations in life, sometimes our nervous systems become “stuck” in what is known as “fight or flight” and this can present itself through physical symptoms such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, chronic pain and many others. Somatic Therapy is a bottom up approach that focuses on restoring balance to the nervous system and opening the access to a clearer and healthier state of mind. This is known as coming out of the “survival” state.
When we can find safety in our bodies, we regain a sense of vitality within ourselves which can change the way we see our situations and the world. This is achieved through a relational experience with the therapist that includes an assessment of symptoms and an integrated set of techniques to help process and move trauma out of our nervous system. Some of these techniques include movement and grounding exercises, visualization, touch work and integrative counselling techniques like cognitive behavioral therapies. In combination with other therapies, somatic work has become cutting edge in the world of mental health and seeing physical results in relation to healing trauma.
