At The Refuge Marriage and Family Therapy, we understand that trauma lives not just in the mind, but also in the body. While traditional talk therapy offers valuable insights, many people struggling with trauma find that healing goes beyond words. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a powerful therapeutic approach that focuses on releasing trauma stored in the body, allowing individuals to regain a sense of safety, connection, and balance in their lives.
What Is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing, developed by Dr. Peter Levine, is a body-based therapy designed to help people process and heal trauma. Trauma can be any experience that overwhelms the nervous system, leaving us feeling stuck in fight, flight, or freeze responses. While our minds may try to make sense of the experience, the body often holds on to the energy and tension that comes with these responses.
Rather than diving directly into the traumatic event, SE works by slowly guiding clients to become more aware of their bodily sensations and the ways in which their nervous system responds. By gently releasing these physical sensations and allowing the body to complete the natural cycles of activation and rest, healing occurs organically.
How Trauma Gets Stuck in the Body
Trauma is an overwhelming experience that disrupts our body’s natural ability to process stress. When we experience trauma, our bodies go into survival mode, activating the nervous system to either fight, flee, or freeze. For some, the body becomes stuck in this hypervigilant state, creating ongoing feelings of anxiety, tension, or dissociation long after the event is over.
Trauma survivors often experience symptoms such as:
Chronic stress or anxiety
Hyperarousal or feeling “on edge”
Difficulty relaxing or sleeping
Physical pain or tension
Emotional numbness or dissociation
These symptoms can persist because the body didn’t get the chance to return to a state of equilibrium after the traumatic event. Somatic Experiencing offers a way to gently complete the process that was interrupted, allowing the nervous system to reset.
How Somatic Experiencing Works
Somatic Experiencing focuses on building awareness of the body and its sensations. In an SE session, the therapist helps the client attune to physical sensations such as tightness, warmth, tension, or relaxation without becoming overwhelmed by them. By noticing these sensations in a safe, supportive environment, the client can begin to release stored tension from their nervous system.
Key elements of Somatic Experiencing include:
Resourcing Before diving into trauma-related work, SE therapy begins by establishing a sense of safety and comfort. Clients are encouraged to connect with personal “resources”—places, people, or things that evoke calmness and grounding. This foundation helps build a sense of security that allows for deeper healing to unfold.
Titration One of the core principles of SE is the concept of titration. Instead of reliving the trauma or overwhelming the client with too much sensation at once, SE therapists work slowly, breaking down the experience into manageable pieces. By processing trauma bit by bit, the nervous system can gradually discharge energy without becoming overwhelmed.
Pendulation Pendulation is the gentle shifting between states of tension and relaxation. By moving between the two states, clients learn how to release pent-up energy and experience relief. This process mimics the body’s natural rhythm and allows the nervous system to return to a balanced state.
Tracking Sensations SE focuses on tracking the body’s subtle physical sensations. This awareness of the body helps clients recognize where trauma is being held and gently release it. Clients are guided to pay attention to how the body feels in real-time, which encourages a sense of connection between mind and body.
The Benefits of Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing offers a range of benefits for trauma survivors, including:
Releasing Stored TensionSE helps release physical and emotional tension that is often trapped in the body after a traumatic experience. This allows the body to relax and the mind to feel more at ease.
Regulating the Nervous SystemBy addressing trauma at the nervous system level, SE helps clients move out of chronic states of hyperarousal (fight/flight) or shutdown (freeze). This promotes a greater sense of calm and resilience in everyday life.
Building Emotional AwarenessSomatic Experiencing helps individuals develop a deeper connection with their body, which enhances their ability to recognize and process emotions. This connection creates a more integrated sense of self.
Reducing Anxiety and StressAs clients learn to discharge trauma and tension from their body, they often experience a reduction in anxiety, stress, and overwhelm. SE promotes a sense of internal balance that can be sustained over time.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing is beneficial for anyone who has experienced trauma, whether it is from childhood events, accidents, illness, abuse, or other overwhelming experiences. It’s particularly helpful for those who feel stuck in their healing journey or have tried talk therapy without finding full relief. SE can also support individuals dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, or dissociation by addressing the root causes of their nervous system dysregulation.
At The Refuge Marriage and Family Therapy, we specialize in trauma-informed care and understand that each person’s healing journey is unique. Somatic Experiencing offers a compassionate, body-centered approach to trauma recovery that integrates both the mind and body in the healing process.
Begin Your Healing Journey
If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma or the effects of chronic stress, Somatic Experiencing could be a transformative step toward healing. At The Refuge Marriage and Family Therapy, we’re here to support you in finding balance, safety, and peace within your body and mind. Contact us today to learn more about Somatic Experiencing and how we can support your healing journey.
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