Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a gentle, body-oriented approach to working with trauma and chronic stress. Rather than focusing primarily on the story of what happened, SE invites you to bring awareness to your present-moment physical sensations and the responses of your nervous system. By gently noticing these experiences, we can begin to explore patterns of protection and survival that may persist long after a stressful or traumatic event has passed. SE supports the nervous system’s innate capacity to restore balance, develop greater flexibility, and move toward healing without needing to relive or re-enact past experiences. Each session is guided by your unique experience, with space to move at a pace that honors your needs and allows your body’s own wisdom to guide the process.

When seeking somatic work, look for a practitioner with specialized training in the approach they offer, along with an understanding of the nervous system and trauma-informed care. Somatic work encompasses many different modalities, so it’s helpful to ask about a practitioner’s training, experience, and credentials. Just as importantly, look for someone who creates a sense of safety, respects your boundaries, and works at a pace that feels manageable for you. You should feel supported and empowered throughout the process.

Somatic Experiencing® does not require you to retell or relive a traumatic experience. Instead, we gently bring awareness to your body's sensations, movements, and natural survival responses, allowing space for these responses to be explored and resolved at a pace that feels manageable for you. When appropriate, and always with your consent, gentle therapeutic touch may also be incorporated to support your body's natural capacity for regulation, integration, and healing.

Somatic Experiencing® can support individuals experiencing the effects of trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, and feeling stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or freeze. It may be helpful for those navigating shock trauma (such as a car accident, surgery, a fall, or another frightening or overwhelming event) or developmental trauma (such as growing up in an unpredictable home, experiencing emotional neglect, or not feeling safe or supported during childhood). SE may also support those experiencing persistent tension, disconnection, or feeling constantly on alert, helping cultivate greater nervous system regulation, resilience, and a deeper sense of safety and connection with yourself.

You don't have to identify with the word “trauma” to benefit from Somatic Experiencing®. Perhaps you experience chronic stress, anxiety, overwhelm, or a sense of feeling stuck without connecting these experiences to trauma. SE offers a space to gently explore how your experiences may be affecting your nervous system, helping you cultivate greater ease, resilience, and connection with yourself—without needing to label or define what you've been through.

Yes! Somatic Experiencing® can be offered through telehealth, allowing you to engage in this work from the comfort and familiarity of your own space. My own experience with SE was entirely through telehealth, giving me a personal appreciation for the depth and meaningful connection this work can offer, even from a distance. I believe in the value of doing our own work and in the understanding this brings to supporting others.

I utilize Somatic Experiencing® because I have experienced firsthand how powerful it can be to include the body in our healing journey. Through my own work, I have discovered a deeper connection with myself and a greater understanding of the ways our nervous systems shape our experiences. I believe in the importance of practicing what I offer and of continuing to learn from my own process. Our bodies are constantly communicating with us, often in ways we may not yet recognize. SE invites us to slow down, listen with curiosity, and discover what becomes possible when we begin to work with our bodies rather than against them.

Yes, there is a difference. Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a specific, body-oriented approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine to support the nervous system in working through the effects of stress and trauma. Becoming a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP) requires extensive specialized training over several years, including developing the skills to work with the nervous system and attune to each individual's unique experience. Somatics is a broader term that encompasses many approaches using body awareness, sensation, and movement to support well-being and connection with the body. While these approaches may share common principles, their methods, training requirements, and areas of focus can vary considerably.