What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing isn’t just a therapy method; it’s a profound journey into the depths of our own bodies and emotions. This approach, rooted in the pioneering work of Dr. Peter A. Levine, invites us to reconnect with our innate capacity to heal from trauma and stress.
It’s like an intimate conversation with our bodies, gently guiding us through sensations and emotions that have often remained unspoken and unheard. With the support of a skilled practitioner, we navigate the intricacies of our unique experiences, helping us release pent-up tension, and find our way back to a state of calm and resilience.
Somatic Experiencing goes beyond words, offering a deeply personal and transformative path toward healing and wholeness.
Practitioners who have obtained certification undergo a comprehensive three-year training program consisting of 216 hours of instruction. Additionally, they are required to fulfill 18 hours of case consultations and 12 hours of personal sessions.
Somatic Experiencing is effective for those who suffer from:
- PTSD, panic disorder, and phobias
- Anxiety and depression
- Physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual trauma
- Bullying, racism & discrimination
- Medical trauma
- Chronic illnesses/syndromes
How does Somatic Experiencing help heal?
- Regulating the Nervous System: restoring balance between the sympathetic (flight or fight) and parasympathetic (disconnection or rest/digest) branches. This regulation is essential for reducing symptoms for trauma, anxiety, and stress.
- Releasing Stored Trauma: gently and safely process and release the physical and emotional energy associated with the traumatic experiences trapped in the body (flashbacks, hypervigilance, emotional distress).
- Increasing Body Awareness: learn to become more attuned to the body’s sensations and cues, which can provide insight, deeper healing, and self-regulation.
- Resourcing and Resilience: developing external and internal resources and resilience to better cope with life’s challenges and stressors.
- Improved Emotional Regulation: gaining a sense of empowerment, integration, fostering a greater sense of wholeness and well-being which can lead to reduced anxiety, depression, and other symptoms related to trauma.
Ultimately, Somatic Experiencing aims to help clients improve their overall quality of life by reducing the impact of trauma and stress on their daily experiences.