somatic Experiencing
Cognitively you know one thing, but emotionally you feel differently
You find it difficult to name what’s happening in your body except for anxiety and stress. Reactions happen quickly, sometimes before there’s even time to think them through, and the “why” behind choices doesn’t always make sense. Past experiences can make trust, both in yourself and in the world, feel shaky.
When pain has gone unprocessed for a long time, it can also affect how easy it is to speak up, set limits, or fully express what feels true. Holding it together may work for a while, but it isn’t sustainable forever.
Somatic Experiencing offers a different path. Instead of pushing through, there’s space to slow down and notice what the body is communicating. Sensations, emotions, and impulses start to become more understandable rather than overwhelming. Over time, it becomes easier to trust internal signals, respond with more choice, and reconnect with a voice that feels steady and real.
What is Somatic experiencing
Through Somatic Experiencing, we are addressing the root cause of the trauma symptoms, not only the external manifestations such as flashbacks, nightmares and hypervigilance. With the guidance of a trained Somatic Experiencing therapist, the nervous system’s self-protection responses (fight, flight, freeze) are completed and survival energy that is bound in the body can be released. Somatic Experiencing does not require us to have conscious knowledge or memory of the trauma event. It does not require us to retell our story over again. Our nervous system’s story can finally be heard in a safe and contained way.
Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.
- Peter Levine -
our approach
We believe that our bodies go through every experience with us and need a space to heal as our minds do.
You notice tension that never seems to leave. It can be hard to breathe when your chest feels tight, your stomach is in knots, and you feel a restless energy. Small triggers can send you spiraling, and you might feel stuck in patterns that make no sense. It seems as though your body is holding onto experiences your mind is ready to move past.
Somatic Experiencing helps you tune into those sensations instead of ignoring them, giving your nervous system a chance to release what it has been holding for years. In each session, you’ll be guided to notice subtle bodily signals such as tingling, heaviness, warmth, or tightness and explore them safely. We move at your own pace, noticing what arises, learning to regulate your reactions, and gradually letting your body complete responses that were interrupted by trauma. You gain tools to stay grounded when intense feelings come up, and you’ll start to recognize the ways your body signals stress before it overwhelms you. Over time, this practice can reduce tension, flashbacks, and hypervigilance. You will feel more present, more connected to yourself, and more capable of engaging with life without the weight of past experiences.
Somatic Experiencing isn’t about reliving trauma. It’s about helping your body and nervous system finally let go, so you can reclaim a sense of safety, freedom, and calm.
Common Questions about Somatic Experiencing
What Happens During Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a gentle approach to healing trauma and stress. In a session, your therapist helps you notice how your body responds to stress or past trauma in the present moment.
You might pay attention to sensations in your body, like tightness or warmth, and slowly work through them without becoming overwhelmed. The goal is to release stored tension in your body, helping you become more regulated and reducing symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression.
What Is the Difference Between EMDR and Somatic Experiencing?
Is Somatic Experiencing Evidence Based?
Dr. Peter Levine developed Somatic Experiencing based on the observation that animals in the wild are not traumatized even though they are constantly under threat. Humans also have the innate capacity to heal, if given the right conditions.
By following the memory of the body (rather than solely the memory of the mind), we can become aware of where in the threat cycle (fight, flight, freeze) our defenses were impeded, allowing us to complete these responses.
Who Is Somatic Experiencing For?
Somatic Experiencing is for anyone who feels like stress or trauma has left them feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. It’s a great fit for people with trauma, anxiety, or chronic stress, as well as those who want a body-focused approach to healing.
It can be utilized for children, adolescents, and adults. If you’re curious about how your body and emotions are connected, SE might be a good choice for you.
What Is a Somatic Experiencing Therapist?
A Somatic Experiencing therapist is trained to help you work through trauma and stress using the principles of SE. They guide you in paying attention to your body’s sensations and responses in a safe and supportive way. These practitioners complete specialized training through Somatic Experiencing International.
Somatic Experiencing vs. Somatic Therapy
Somatic Experiencing is a specific type of somatic therapy that focuses on trauma resolution by releasing stress stored in the body. Somatic therapy, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes various body-focused approaches, such as movement, breathwork, and mindfulness. While all Somatic Experiencing is somatic therapy, not all somatic therapy is Somatic Experiencing!
What to Expect in a Somatic Experiencing Session?
In a Somatic Experiencing session, the first step is creating a sense of safety and stability. Sharing your trauma history isn’t required. Instead, the session invites you to slow down, check in with your body, and notice internal sensations or emotions as you talk.
This process helps you tune into your body’s wisdom and trust those signals over time. As that happens, you gain an intuitive sense of which step to take next to feel more present, connected, and engaged.
The goal isn’t to “buckle down” or grit your teeth and push through the experience. Your therapist stays with you every step of the way, both guiding and following along on this healing journey.
