Somatic Experiencing (SE) Therapy

Somatic Experiencing

“I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with an innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe not only that trauma is curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening— a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation.”

– Peter A. Levine, PhD, Founder of Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE) therapy engages the body in the psychotherapy process so as to complete the stress response, a system which was not available to the victim at the time of the trauma. The goal of Somatic Experiencing is for the victim to become “unstuck” from their trauma.

Download my Free Guide on effective communication skills, “Say What You Mean.”

Stress Responses

The body’s natural stress response– the “fight or flight” response– is activated when a woman feels threatened. However, when the “fight” response is inhibited, and “flight” is not an option, a “freeze” response will automatically take over, as the body has become overloaded, and shuts down.

The adult body may become programmed to go directly into a freeze state, skipping the fight or flight responses, in the face of fear. From this pattern, fear becomes coupled with immobility. When triggered, this automatic pattern can compromise the future safety of the woman, as the freeze state feels like being “semi-anesthetized,” keeping distress and pain at bay.

Trauma can result from a number of incidents: abuse (verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual), neglect, witnessing violence or sexual activity at a young age, etc. In the case of children, anything that makes the child feel obligated in the service of an adult is considered childhood trauma.

Trauma can also be the result of a sudden illness or death of a family member, or the sudden departure of someone significant. It can result from physical and/or sexual assault, accidents, invasive medical procedures, war, or ongoing fear and conflict. Somatic Experiencing assists the body to process trauma and restores the body’s ability to self-regulate.

From Freeze to Fight

A freeze response is when a threat is perceived as being so great that the body shuts down due to overload. It is the body’s response, not a conscious choice.

An example of Somatic Experiencing with a woman who was abused as a child: I encourage her to physically push away her abuser, to say “NO,” etc. I then ask her to tune into her body and notice any changes. Women who I have worked with using this powerful technique have reported a sense of relief and calmness afterwards.

For a woman who shut down at the time of the abuse due to a freeze state, “fighting back” allows for the stress response and the physical response to be completed. By initiating this motion and giving voice to what she would have wanted to say at the time of the abuse, she finds her power.

From Freeze to Flight

Another Somatic Experiencing technique that I use in sessions with women: when she is feeling trapped and anxious, I ask her to imagine a screen. On this screen I ask her to see feet running. These feet are not running to or away from anything. They are simply running.

I give her time and space for it to resonate in her body. Women who have used this powerful technique have expressed feeling a release of pent-up energy and feeling calmer from this simple but powerful tool.

It is not necessary for a woman to share the story of her trauma in order to heal. As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, I aid in facilitating the body to release trauma energy stored-up over time. Therefore, it is not necessary to consciously remember what happened in order to release trauma held in the body.

Integrative Psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing

Resolution of trauma through Somatic Experiencing decreases fear and helplessness by resetting the stress response system and enhancing resilience. Somatic Experiencing restores inner balance, increases vitality, and improves capacity to engage actively in life.

When I work with a woman using Integrative Psychotherapy and Somatic Experiencing, it is of utmost importance that she first feels a sense of safety in my office. Because of my casual but professional manner, with most women, we establish a rapport early on.

I strive to make our sessions the perfect balance between finding the humor in things and digging deep to find the roots of things bothering her in the here and now.

Each woman that I work with knows that I am in her corner, supporting her and cheering her on to live freely, to her full capacity. I work with her to become unstuck; I help her to become empowered by reconnecting with the self that went into hiding long ago.