Healing Trauma and Stress Through Somatic Experiencing: A Body-Based Approach for Deep Healing
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Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented therapy developed by Dr. Peter Levine that helps you release stored trauma and stress from the body. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which works primarily through the mind, SE works from the bottom up — focusing on the body’s natural ability to heal itself by gently releasing the physical sensations and tensions that are connected to trauma.
FOR WHOM
Somatic Experiencing is ideal for individuals who are struggling with trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, or feeling emotionally stuck. If you’ve been through life-altering events, or if you feel your body is constantly in ‘fight--flight-freeze-fawn’ mode, SE may be the perfect approach to help you restore balance.
For whom:
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“You might be someone who has experienced physical trauma or emotional wounds that have stayed with you long after the event.”
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“You may struggle with chronic pain or tension that doesn’t seem to have a clear medical cause, but you suspect it’s linked to unresolved emotional experiences.”
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“You may feel stuck in cycles of anxiety, panic, or stress and are looking for a deeper, more sustainable healing path.”
Unlike talk therapy, which primarily focuses on the mind and cognitive patterns, Somatic Experiencing works directly with the body. Our bodies hold the key to healing because they store the unresolved emotions and trauma that affect us. By paying attention to bodily sensations, SE helps you process these feelings in a safe, supported way. This bottom-up approach helps you release emotional blockages at their source and restore your body’s natural capacity for resilience.
During the session
In our work together, we will focus on some fundamental elements that facilitate healing, all of which are primarily embodied. As a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I will guide you by working with movement, boundary work, and the voice—tools that help release excess stress, clear tension, and bring your nervous system back into a state of balance.
For example, movement helps to gently discharge stuck energy from the body, while boundary work allows you to establish a sense of safety and empowerment, which is crucial for trauma recovery. Working with the voice can also be powerful, enabling you to express and release emotions that might be difficult to articulate otherwise. Each of these tools is used in a way that is gentle, non-invasive, and tailored to your unique needs. Above all, I believe in giving agency to you, the client. You are always in the lead.
One of the unique benefits of Somatic Experiencing is that it works wonderfully as a complementary therapy alongside other forms of treatment you may be receiving. Whether you're already engaged in talk therapy, medical care, or other healing modalities, SE can enhance your process by addressing the body’s role in storing trauma and stress. SE works alongside these approaches, helping you create deeper emotional and physical integration, and accelerating your healing by engaging the body in ways that traditional therapies may not.