Somatic Experiencing

Let your body work with you to help release trauma.

Peter Levine first discovered Somatic Experiencing in 1969 when “Nancy” had been referred to him because no one else could help her. She had all sorts of physical ailments and diagnoses, but the medical professionals were at a loss as to what to do. Nothing they tried worked.

Peter would later learn that Nancy was consistently stuck in a traumatic state from childhood due to being held down for a tonsillectomy procedure. When Peter first worked with her, he made a mistake and told her to “relax” when she got agitated. Her heart rate began to drop dramatically to unsafe levels, convincing her that she was about to die.

It was then that a tiger popped into Peter’s mind. He told Nancy to “run” up the rocks, away from the tiger. Her whole body began to shake. After about 40 minutes of shaking, she began to take deep spontaneous breaths, and her entire body began to settle. Her body intuitively knew how to release the trauma of being held down all those years ago.

After this experience, Peter became hooked and studied how nature handles trauma. In the wild, animals shake after a traumatic event. He noticed that his clients’ nervous systems had become dysregulated because they were holding in their traumas versus releasing them the way animals do in their natural habitats. Peter realized that we need movement to process trauma.

How does Somatic Experiencing work?

Somatic Experiencing uses titration and pendulation to heal trauma and help regulate the nervous system by getting the body out of shock and back to safety. This approach allows the body to process the trauma.

By befriending our bodily sensations and noticing the subtle shifts in the body and nervous system (versus fighting them or ignoring them), we can create confidence and resilience. When we liberate ourselves from trauma, we can find joy and peace. By tuning into our nervous systems, our energy becomes mobilized. That’s where real change and transformation happen.

Suppose you experienced trauma, and specific events trigger the memory of that trauma, causing you to keep reexperiencing it repeatedly. In that case, Somatic Experiencing allows your body to respond to that past trauma, promoting healing.

Let’s work together to help your mind and body overcome trauma. Our work starts by contacting me today to set up your 20-minute consultation call.