Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is a trauma informed, body-centered therapy developed by psychologist Peter Levine, a leader in somatic psychology. Instead of focusing on the mind and thoughts based in cognitive behavioral therapy, Somatic Experiencing sees the body as a source of intelligence and healing whereby our bodies retain our past and current trauma information.

Trauma is defined as “an internal straitjacket created when a devastating moment is frozen in time. It stifles the unfolding of being, and strangles our attempts to move forward with our lives. It disconnects us from ourselves, others, nature and spirit.” (Levine, Peter. 1997). It is a “bottom-up therapy” that focuses on information from the body’s sensations. Through turning inward and connecting to the internal landscape of our bodies, we work within a container of safety so that you are able to heal and control feelings and thoughts when triggered by your trauma.

With trauma, we carry our past in our bodies.  There is a recognition that talk therapy does not fully resolve trauma. Instead, resolution of trauma is found within the body. It consists of listening to and witnessing the body instead of getting lost in one’s story. We slow down and watch the responses of the body, furthering awareness in order to create a different sense of knowing. You will be guided to observe limiting patterns and open up to new information which can make more choices in life possible and available to you. Through sitting with the present time awareness, we can change how our body holds the information – gaining freedom from the past. It is not necessary to re-experience the trauma event or energy that is trapped in the body experience.

Instead, we focus our attention on observing ‘what is’ without judgement and evoking a sense of curiosity. Through awareness of body sensation, we are able to access restorative patterns of action. We recognize that the body has knowledge and will naturally move towards healing when given space. It is possible to come back into balance with the right conditions and resources.

Somatic Experiencing is based upon the observation that wild animals use innate mechanisms to regulate the symptoms of trauma. “As a result, the survival energies are safely discharged and arousal that has been locked in the nervous system can be “discharged and completed, thus preventing and resolving traumatic symptoms” (Levine, Peter. 1997) Somatic Experiencing is helpful when integrating the whole brain and is successful in regulating the nervous system.

Sources: Levine, Peter. Somatic Experiencing Beginning Year Introduction, 1997.
Moser, Mariah. The Field of Somatic Psychotherapy. www.openingtograce.com.
https://brickelandassociates.com/bottom-up-approach-to-trauma/