An Introduction to Somatic Experiencing
“Trauma is not what happened to you, but rather what happened inside of you as a result of what happened to you” – Gabor Mate
As the above quote speaks to, trauma lives not only in the mind but also within the body. Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a unique therapeutic approach that addresses this reality, focusing on the body’s role in processing and healing trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapies, SE emphasizes body awareness as a pathway to recovery.
Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, SE is based on the understanding that trauma can disrupt the natural healing processes of the body, leading to physical and emotional distress. SE works by helping individuals increase their awareness of bodily sensations from a place of curiosity, allowing them to release any stored energy of trauma, and restore balance to their nervous system.
Principles of Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing is grounded in several core principles that guide the therapeutic process:
Body Awareness: SE emphasizes the importance of being aware of bodily sensations, as these can provide crucial insights into the unresolved trauma stored in the body.
Trauma Release: The therapy focuses on releasing any pent-up energy associated with traumatic events, helping to restore the body’s natural rhythms to find a place of balance.
Self-Regulation: SE helps individuals develop the ability to regulate their nervous system, reducing the intensity of trauma responses and enhancing emotional resilience.
Gradual Processing: Unlike other modalities that may dive directly into the content of traumatic memories, SE works gradually, ensuring that the individual processes trauma at a pace that feels safe and manageable to them. We may not even explore the “content” of the trauma but rather tune into the felt experience instead.
How Somatic Experiencing Works
Somatic Experiencing is a process-oriented therapy that unfolds in phases. It begins with establishing a sense of safety and trust between the therapist and the client. The therapist will guide the client in becoming more aware of their bodily sensations, often starting with neutral or pleasant sensations before moving on to areas associated with distress and trauma.
The therapeutic process in SE involves:
Pendulation: This technique involves moving between a state of distress and a state of calm. By oscillating between these two states, individuals learn to tolerate distress without becoming overwhelmed.
Titration: Rather than confronting the full intensity of a traumatic memory at once, SE breaks it down into smaller, more manageable pieces. This gradual approach prevents the client from becoming overwhelmed and allows the nervous system to process the trauma at a pace that feels manageable and safe.
Resourcing: SE helps individuals identify and develop internal and external resources that provide a sense of safety and support during therapy. These resources can be anything from a calming memory to a supportive relationship.
Renegotiation: This is the final phase of the SE process, the individual reclaims the energy that was trapped by the trauma and integrates the experience into their life in a way that feels empowering rather than debilitating.