Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a groundbreaking therapeutic approach designed to help individuals process trauma and regulate their nervous systems. Unlike traditional talk therapies that focus primarily on cognition, SE emphasizes the body’s innate ability to heal by addressing stored tension and unresolved stress at the physiological level.
What Is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing, developed by Dr. Peter Levine, is rooted in the idea that trauma resides not just in the mind but also in the body. When faced with a traumatic event, the body activates its fight, flight, or freeze responses to survive. However, if the energy mobilized during this response isn’t discharged after the event, it becomes trapped in the nervous system.
This unresolved energy manifests as physical tension, emotional distress, or even chronic health issues. SE works by gently guiding individuals to access and release this stored energy, allowing the body to return to a state of balance and ease. The technique is particularly effective for those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and other trauma-related conditions.
How The Body Remembers
At the heart of SE is the recognition that trauma fundamentally disrupts the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS regulates involuntary bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and the stress response, through its two main branches: the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
When a person encounters a perceived threat, the SNS springs into action, triggering the fight-or-flight response. Adrenaline and cortisol flood the body, preparing it to confront or escape the danger. If neither option is viable—such as in the case of overwhelming or inescapable trauma—the freeze response kicks in, immobilizing the individual.
While these responses are essential for survival, they can leave a lasting imprint on the body when the energy they generate isn’t resolved. This leads to hypervigilance, emotional numbness, or chronic physical tension—hallmarks of trauma. SE addresses this by helping individuals safely revisit and complete these incomplete responses, enabling the nervous system to recalibrate.
A key concept in SE is pendulation, the natural rhythm of moving between states of activation (feeling the effects of trauma) and deactivation (experiencing safety and calm). This process mirrors the oscillations of the ANS as it shifts between the SNS and PNS.
During SE sessions, therapists guide clients to pendulate between these states, gently expanding their capacity to tolerate stress. This process, known as resourcing, builds resilience and reduces the nervous system’s reactivity over time.
The Impact on Mental Health
Somatic Experiencing offers profound benefits for mental health by addressing trauma at its root—within the body. Its emphasis on the body’s natural rhythms and capacities fosters healing in ways that talk therapy alone often cannot.
Trauma disrupts the brain’s ability to regulate emotions, leading to heightened anxiety, anger, or fear. By resolving the physiological imprints of trauma, SE restores the nervous system’s capacity for self-regulation. This helps individuals feel more grounded, present, and in control of their emotions.
For those with PTSD, trauma triggers can cause overwhelming flashbacks or dissociation. SE reduces the intensity of these triggers by addressing the underlying dysregulation in the nervous system. Many clients report feeling a sense of safety and calm after sessions, marking significant progress in their recovery.
Trauma often severs the connection between mind and body, leading to disembodiment or feelings of numbness. SE helps individuals reestablish this connection, cultivating a sense of wholeness and integration. This reconnection is especially valuable for individuals who have experienced physical or emotional abuse.
Practical Benefits Beyond Trauma
While SE is most commonly associated with trauma recovery, its applications extend to a variety of physical and mental health challenges.
Even everyday stress can create tension in the body. By teaching individuals to notice and release this tension, SE enhances resilience to daily stressors, promoting overall well-being.
Chronic pain, migraines, and digestive issues are often linked to unresolved stress and trauma. By addressing the body’s physiological patterns, SE can alleviate these symptoms and improve overall physical health.
Trauma can make it difficult to trust or connect with others. As SE nurtures a sense of safety and self-awareness, individuals often find it easier to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Challenges of Somatic Experiencing
While SE is a powerful therapeutic tool, it requires patience and commitment. Progress can be slow, as the method emphasizes gradual exploration of sensations to avoid retraumatization.
Some clients may find it challenging to focus on bodily sensations, particularly if they have a history of disconnection from their bodies. However, experienced SE practitioners are trained to create a safe, supportive environment to ease these challenges.
Additionally, SE may not be a standalone solution for everyone. It is most effective when integrated with other therapeutic approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or mindfulness practices.
A Gentle Path to Healing
As our understanding of trauma evolves, so too does the appreciation for body-centered approaches like SE. Neuroscience continues to validate the principles behind SE, particularly the interplay between the nervous system, trauma, and healing.
Emerging research suggests that SE could be a valuable tool in treating a broader range of conditions, from chronic illness to substance use disorders. As the field grows, SE practitioners are exploring ways to make the technique more accessible, including group sessions and online resources.
Somatic Experiencing offers a gentle yet transformative approach to healing trauma. By honoring the body’s innate capacity for recovery, it empowers individuals to release the burdens of the past and reclaim their sense of safety and well-being.
Whether you’re navigating the aftermath of trauma or simply seeking a deeper connection with your body, SE provides a pathway to resilience and wholeness.
References
Winblad, Neal E., Michael Changaris, and Phyllis K. Stein. "Effect of somatic experiencing resiliency-based trauma treatment training on quality of life and psychological health as potential markers of resilience in treating professionals." Frontiers in Neuroscience 12 (2018): 70.
Kuhfuß, Marie, et al. "Somatic experiencing–effectiveness and key factors of a body-oriented trauma therapy: a scoping literature review." European journal of psychotraumatology 12.1 (2021): 1929023.
Brom, Danny, et al. "Somatic experiencing for posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomized controlled outcome study." Journal of traumatic stress 30.3 (2017): 304-312.
Özel, Dilara. "‘We are all in this together’: Coping with stress during uncertain times through somatic experiencing." Group Analysis 57.2 (2024): 256-270.
Briggs, Paul C., Sage Hayes, and Michael Changaris. "Somatic Experiencing® informed therapeutic group for the care and treatment of biopsychosocial effects upon a gender diverse identity." Frontiers in psychiatry 9 (2018): 53.
Brown, Steven D., and Ian Tucker. "Affect, somatic management, and mental health service users." The affect theory reader 229 (2010)
Schlief, Ashley Marie. "Somatic experience treatment techniques for trauma symptoms: A qualitative case study." (2023).
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