Somatic Experiencing
What is Somatic Experiencing®?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a short-term therapy, focused on resolving and healing the effects of trauma. Trauma, which touches the heart of our primal survival instincts, frequently disrupts our instinctive ability to successfully defend ourselves. When we think of defending ourselves, we often think of our choices as fight or flight. We can either fight back or run away. It doesn't matter which path we choose, because either fighting or running away allows us to defend ourselves and the energy that we build up in our bodies in that fearful or traumatic moment can be completely or mostly released in the moment.
However, it is not uncommon in a frightening situation or situations for a person to become overwhelmed physically and emotionally. Take for example a person being physically assaulted. They are usually taken by surprise, probably do not know what to do, maybe confused, probably are in shock and often are physically overwhelmed and powerless to run or fight. This is when people tend to freeze or shutdown. However, the energy that is aroused in the body still remains in the body creating unwanted long-term symptoms. Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the dangerous event itself. They arise when residual energy from the event is not discharged from the body. This energy remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and minds.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) invites you to pay attention to the sensations in your body, which leads to you being able to release old trapped energy, old emotions, thoughts and images. By doing so it allows you to break old coping patterns and habits that may have served you well in the past, but are now interfering with your ability to lead a more balanced healthy life.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is effective with both shock trauma — single-episode traumatic experiences such as war, rape, or natural disasters — and developmental trauma, which refers to interruptions in the predictable psychological stages of growth. SE also is effective in reducing the symptoms of depression, panic attacks, anxiety and PTSD.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is Sensitive not to Re- Traumatize the Client
Research suggests that retelling too much of the trauma story can be counter-productive in resolving trauma. Somatic Experiencing (SE) encourages working with only part and sometimes none of the trauma story. The real story is in the body.
Primary Components of SE
Tracking Sensations
Somatic Experiencing (SE) invites the client to track their body's sensations as a way to help release natural survival energy (trauma energy) stuck in the body from past trauma experiences. Helps the client reconnect with the self.
Resourcing
Somatic Experiencing (SE) helps the client identify resources both internal and external and sense those resources as physical sensations in the body. Restores homeostasis/balance to the nervous system.
Grounding
Somatic Experiencing (SE) helps to ground the client in the present and establishes physical boundary setting.
Titration
Somatic Experiencing (SE) titrates around the old trauma energy, working with small parts so that the client can trust that the somatic experience will not overwhelm them.
Pendulation
Somatic Experiencing (SE) pendulates between the trauma energy and the newly identified resources helping to release old stuck survival energy.
Discharging Energy
Releasing the old trauma energy may include shaking, trembling, change in breathing, generating heat, sweating, crying, itching, burping and stomach grumbling.
Settling
Allows the nervous system to continue the re-integration process coming out of the freeze response.
Re-Orienting
Prepares client to take in their environment with a more alert and heightened sense of present focused awareness.
Books
- Waking the Tiger by Dr. Peter Levine
- Healing Trauma — A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body by Dr. Peter Levine
CDs & Tapes
- Sexual Healing — Transforming the Sacred Wound Dr. Peter A. Levine
- Healing Trauma — Restoring the Wisdom of the Body Dr. Peter A. Levine
- It Won't Hurt Forever — Guiding Your Child Through Trauma Dr. Peter A. Levine
Websites
- The Foundation for Human Enrichment: www.traumahealing.com
- Santa Barbara Graduate Institute: www.sbgi.edu
- Rubenfeld Synergy Method® A dynamic system for the integration of body, mind, emotions, and spirit®: www.rubenfeldsynergy.com
