Somatic Experiencing®
What is Somatic Experiencing®?
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a body-oriented modality that helps prevent or heal trauma and other stress disorders. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, Ph.D., it is the result of the multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, with more than 45 years of successful application.
SE teaches clients about nervous system states and how to flow between states of activation and deactivation without getting stuck. It helps us develop resources so that when life’s challenges inevitably present themselves, we are more prepared and skilled to handle them without lasting impacts to our systems.
“Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the triggering event itself. They stem from the frozen residue of energy that has not been resolved and discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and spirits.”
- Peter Levine
SE works with the body’s innate wisdom to release this trauma physiology and help us regain lost capacity, resilience and a fuller expression of ourselves.
Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside
in the absence of an empathetic witness.
- Peter Levine
How We Can
Work Together
One on One Sessions
I provide ongoing support through regularly scheduled appointments, typically weekly, biweekly or monthly on a regular cadence.
SE Immersion Offering
If your schedule makes it difficult to commit to weekly sessions or you are craving a deeper experience, I invite you to consider an SE immersion. We will spend 4-6 hours together exploring your individual nervous system needs. An initial, online meeting (30-45 min) will help me gather the information needed to create your unique immersive experience.
Sessions take place in a variety of settings - my preference is to be outside in nature for as much of our time as possible, weather dependent.
We might meet at my office and spend time walking in the neighborhood or meet at a local Seattle area park and explore the natural beauty of the PNW.
Sessions may include:
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Nervous system psycho-education (Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing)
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Exploration of nervous system states and tracking your individual patterns
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Nature based practices for nervous system regulation
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SE touch work
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Co regulation practice and conversation
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Experiential exercises for connecting to the body and regulating the nervous system
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Inquiry into your personal values and priorities and what’s getting in the way of aligning with these
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SE trauma renegotiation work for single event shock or developmental trauma