What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing is a therapeutic modality that was developed by Dr Peter Levine during the 1970’s. It aims to heal trauma by focusing on the nervous system’s role in trauma recovery. SE focuses on helping individuals release and heal the physical and emotional impacts of trauma that are stored in the body. Somatic Experiencing is a gentle way of healing trauma and incorporates both the mind and the body. Unlike traditional talk therapies, SE emphasizes the connection between mind and body, working directly with the body’s natural healing processes to restore balance and build resilience.
Trauma and the Body
Trauma is widely recognised as a process that occurs and is embedded in the body. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and release trauma stored in the body.
Trauma is often thought of as something that happens in the mind, but in reality, it has physical manifestations. When we experience traumatic events—whether it’s a car accident, childhood abuse, or emotional overwhelm—our body’s nervous system reacts in ways that can become "stuck." This can result in symptoms like chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue, and other health issues, which are actually the body's way of signalling that trauma is unresolved.
Traditional talk therapies focus on the emotional and cognitive aspects of trauma and a person making meaning or sense of these. While this approach can be helpful, it often overlooks the critical role the body plays. Somatic Experiencing, however, takes a more holistic approach, acknowledging that the body holds onto trauma and that healing requires integrating both the mind and body.
Top down versus bottom up
Somatic Experiencing is a bottom-up approach. A bottom-up approach focuses on bodily sensations, physical experiences, or mindfulness techniques to help process trauma. This contrasts with top-down approaches that work with thoughts and emotions to influence behaviour or physical sensations.
Regular talk therapy is considered a top-down approach. A top-down approach involves using the mind, such as thoughts, beliefs, or narratives, to address emotional or physical experiences. This is often seen in talk therapies or cognitive-behavioural approaches where the therapist helps the individual change their thinking patterns to influence emotional and physical states.
The Core Principles of Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing utilises a range of interventions or concepts to make up the modality. One of those is the concept of titration—the idea that trauma should be processed in small, manageable increments. Rather than overwhelming the client by diving into the full experience of the traumatic event, SE encourages them to slowly access and release the stored energy of trauma. This gentle approach allows the nervous system to safely discharge built-up tension and stress, ultimately restoring balance.
Another key principle is pendulation, which refers to the process of moving between states of distress and calm. In SE, clients are guided to move between the feelings associated with trauma and more neutral or positive sensations, allowing the body to gradually recalibrate and process the emotional energy in a controlled, non-threatening way.
How Somatic Experiencing Works
SE is based on the understanding that trauma disrupts the body’s natural ability to regulate itself, leading to nervous system dysregulation. Through mindful awareness of bodily sensations, SE helps individuals complete the body’s natural responses to stress and trauma, allowing the nervous system to return to a state of equilibrium.
A typical Somatic Experiencing session involves the therapist safely and slowly helping the client focus on their bodily sensations rather than their thoughts or memories. By guiding the client’s attention to areas of tension, tightness, or discomfort, the therapist helps them become more aware of how trauma is stored physically. The therapist may also encourage the client to engage in various techniques such as gentle movement, to help release stored tension. Throughout the process, clients are encouraged to track their bodily sensations, such as temperature, constriction, or movement as they work through their trauma. This heightened awareness can help the individual begin to process feelings and experiences that were previously too overwhelming or difficult to confront. It can also help gently discharge the trapped energy associated with trauma, promoting healing and restoring a sense of safety and well-being.
The Benefits of Somatic Experiencing
Trauma Resolution: SE allows individuals to access and release the trauma that is trapped in the body, helping to resolve long-held emotional and physical issues.
Stress Reduction: By balancing the nervous system, Somatic Experiencing can help reduce chronic stress, anxiety, and tension that may result from past trauma.
Improved Emotional Regulation: Clients often report feeling more in control of their emotions, with better coping mechanisms in place for handling stress and difficult situations.
Physical Healing: As the body releases trapped trauma, many individuals experience a reduction in physical symptoms such as chronic pain, headaches, and digestive issues.
Increased Self-Awareness: The process of tuning into one’s bodily sensations fosters a deeper connection with oneself, which can lead to greater self-awareness and self-compassion.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing is beneficial for anyone who has experienced trauma, whether recent or in the past. It is particularly effective for people dealing with conditions such as:
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
Chronic pain
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Dissociation or emotional numbness
Survivors of abuse
Accidents or injuries
Medical trauma or surgeries
Natural disasters
It’s also helpful for individuals who feel disconnected from their bodies or struggle with stress and overwhelm. Because SE works with the body’s natural ability to heal itself, it can complement other forms of therapy or be used as a standalone treatment.
Why Choose Somatic Experiencing?
Unlike traditional therapies that focus primarily on talking through emotions and memories, Somatic Experiencing provides an alternative way of working through trauma by engaging the body. Many clients find this method deeply empowering, as it emphasizes the body’s wisdom and capacity for healing.
If you’re feeling stuck in your trauma recovery or looking for a way to move beyond the confines of traditional therapy, Somatic Experiencing offers a holistic, compassionate path forward. By integrating the body’s natural rhythms and healing processes, it provides a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery.
If you want to learn more check out the FAQ’s section of the website, you can find it here. Or schedule a consultation to find out how Somatic Experiencing may be helpful for you.
