Somatic Experiencing (SE®) is a body-oriented therapeutic approach designed to help people heal from trauma and chronic stress. It’s based on the understanding that trauma gets “stuck” in the nervous system and body, and that healing happens through gently releasing this trapped survival energy.
Core Principles
SE focuses on the body’s natural ability to self-regulate and heal. The approach emphasizes tracking physical sensations, movements, and breathing patterns to help discharge incomplete stress responses. Rather than reliving traumatic events through talking, SE works with the body’s innate capacity to move through and complete thwarted defensive responses like fight, flight, or freeze.
Who Developed It
Somatic Experiencing was developed by Dr. Peter Levine, a biophysicist and psychologist, starting in the 1970s. Levine observed how animals in the wild naturally shake off stress after escaping predators and rarely develop trauma symptoms. He realized that humans often suppress these natural discharge mechanisms, leading to trauma becoming stored in the body. His seminal book “Waking the Tiger” (1997) introduced these concepts to a broader audience.
Key Concepts
The approach works with the autonomic nervous system, helping people develop what Levine calls “felt sense” – the ability to notice subtle internal sensations. Practitioners guide clients to pay attention to sensations like warmth, tingling, trembling, or changes in breathing, allowing the nervous system to gradually release held tension and return to a state of regulation.
Where to Learn More
- Somatic Experiencing International (SEI): The official organization that provides training and certification in SE: https://traumahealing.org/
- Peter Levine’s books: “Waking the Tiger,” “In an Unspoken Voice,” and “Trauma and Memory”
- Professional training: SEI offers multi-year certification programs for therapists and other helping professionals
- Finding practitioners: SEI maintains a directory of certified SE practitioners
The approach has gained significant recognition in trauma therapy and is often used alongside other therapeutic modalities to address PTSD, anxiety, depression, and various stress-related conditions.