"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness"
~Peter A Levine
(Founder of Somatic Experiencing)
Somatic Experiencing
What is it?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based approach that focuses on nervous system regulation rather than talk alone. This approach is grounded in the understanding that the body holds onto stress and traumatic memories just as much as the mind does. This form of therapy combines mindful awareness with physical movement and tracking of sensations to help people reclaim their sense of body-mind balance. It helps to open up our senses so we can access deeper levels of healing and insight.
How Does it Work?
SE helps individuals become more aware of their body sensations and use that awareness to release the physical tension associated with traumatic events. The essence of somatic therapy is the focus on bodily sensations rather than solely on the thoughts and emotions associated with traumatic experiences. This is important because trauma often leaves a deep imprint on the body’s nervous system. SE aims to help individuals tap into the body’s innate ability to heal itself, emphasizing the mind-body connection.
SE allows the client to slowly tap into body sensations, emotions, and inner and outer awareness to process memories, beliefs, or stories that create discomfort. It is a gentle yet effective approach for healing trauma at the core.
who can benefit?
SE is beneficial for those dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, pain management, identity development issues, addiction recovery, chronic illnesses, self-esteem issues, relationship problems, chronic shame and overwhelm, disassociation, and more. SE is especially supportive for neurodivergent individuals who may process the world through their bodies more than words. Sessions are gentle, paced, and grounded in consent, helping your system build safety, flexibility, and new ways of responding without pushing or retraumatizing.
SE can help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and foster deeper self-awareness. It is a powerful tool for connecting to our bodies in a gentle way and opening up new possibilities for healing.
Other benefits include:
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Releasing emotional blocks
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Connecting with the body’s wisdom
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Gaining insight into patterns of behavior
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Enhancing self-awareness
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Transforming stuck emotions into energy that can be used for growth
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Fostering a sense of calm and connection to the present moment
Somatic Experiencing International:
SOMATIC THERAPY BENEFITS
Somatic Therapy benefits
How is SE Different from EMDR?
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a structured therapy that actively incorporates eye movements to assist individuals in processing distressing memories. SE focuses on connecting with body sensations, or somatic experiences, as a gateway to releasing and resolving unresolved trauma. Its nuanced take on body awareness can help clients tune into physical sensations that are often overlooked in other forms of therapy.
EMDR focuses on the mind-eye connection and SE fosters a deep dive into the body-mind connection - a concept rooted in the field of Mind-Body Connection and somatic therapy. EMDR uses rapid eye movements to mitigate the distress of a memory, whereas SE involves a gradual exploration of the body’s physical responses and somatic awareness, aiming to renegotiate the healing process without being overwhelming.
both kristen and hilary are trained in se & emdr
BOTH
KRISTEN AND HILARY ARE TRAINED IN SE & EMDR
