Somatic Experiencing®
What is Somatic Experiencing?
The word somatic or “soma”, in Greek, is “body.” Somatic Experiencing (SE), then could be understood as experiencing the body or even encountering the body. In our Western culture I would say we rarely tap into our bodies and the innate wisdom they offer. We tend to place more emphasis on our cognitions. Of course our mind and thoughts are powerful, but so too are our bodies. SE is a therapeutic model that taps into the connection of both the mind and body in the healing process. It is a gentle approach that focuses on the nervous system which “is the major controlling, regulatory, and communicating system in the body” (NIH). The way we think, feel and act involves a lot more than just our heads.
History of Somatic Experiencing
Dr. Peter A. Levine, PhD, developer of SE, was inspired to study stress on the nervous system when he realized that animals in the wild, though constantly threatened, rarely show symptoms of trauma. He noticed that animals in the wild would complete their fight, flight or freeze responses thus being able to return to homeostasis, but that in humans it was thwarted. SE works to release the stored energy and/or incomplete fight, flight or freeze response and in doing so, we move from a rigid and dysregulated state of being to a more fluid and regulated one.
How It Works
As previously stated, SE facilitates the completion of thwarted fight, flight or freeze bound up in the body and nervous system, which can address the root cause of symptoms seen in anxiety, depression, PTSD and more. Resourcing, Pendulation, and Titration are three methods used in SE to guide the nervous system towards increased balance and regulation.
Resourcing is a vital aspect of SE (much like in EMDR) and involves identifying and strengthening positive experiences to foster a firm foundation to stand upon. It creates a sense of safety and support. In this process we reinforce a felt sense of “okayness” which helps the nervous system to know that it can experience distress and then come back to a state of calm.
Pedulation is an intrinsic life rhythm of contraction and expansion. It is the rhythmic movement between activating stressful emotions or sensations followed by moments of rest and relaxation. SE works with this normal day-to-day rhythm of contraction and expansion which allows the nervous system to gradually discharge built-up distress.
Titration, another important aspect of SE, is the gradual exploration of distressing sensations in the body taken in small, bite-size doses so that it is manageable for the body. Because trauma is “too much, too fast, too soon” (Dr. Resmaa Menakem) we want to slow things down to give it the time it needs to fully process and heal. When we move slowly this allows for completion of those fight, flight or freeze responses that were thwarted in the past.
Although much of this deals with the body, namely the nervous system, no physical touch is involved (however, some counselors and/or body workers will include this).
SE also focuses on 5 components of experience which include:
Sensation
Image
Behaviors
Affect
Meaning
Working with and tracking SIBAM helps to further strengthen the mind-body connection.
Can SE Help Me?
SE can help a number of people with differing concerns or issues, including, but not limited to:
PTSD or other stress-related disorders
Anxiety
Depression
Chronic pain
Complicated grief
Substance Use Disorders
Since SE is tailor made for each individual and their unique nervous system, you don’t have to fit into any box or “condition” for it to be helpful. If you are interested in SE feel free to reach out to me or you can find a directory of Somatic Experiencing Practitioners (SEP) here. Other websites to check out are: traumahealing.org and somaticexperiencing.com.
