What is Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing™(SE™) is way to help people heal from the stress caused by trauma. It was created by Dr. Peter Levine. SE™ is based on the observation that wild animals, even when they are in danger, don’t usually get traumatized. This is because animals in the wild are able to naturally respond in ways to regulate and discharge the high levels of energy that come online when threat appears. These natural responses provide animals with a built-in “immunity’’ to trauma that enables them to return to normal in the aftermath of life-threatening experiences. SE™ uses this concept to help people feel better and manage stress and strong emotions.

Book a Somatic Experiencing™ Session:

(can be done in person or online)

  • Somatic Experiencing™ Session - 1 hour @ $150

  • 4 Session Package - $510

    Four sessions to be used within 2 months from date of purchase

  • SE™ helps people pay attention to how their bodies feel and learn how to find safety in feeling. Finding safety in feeling helps one to heal trauma instead of reliving the experience.

  • SE™'s guidance of how the body feels allows strong feelings and sensations to be safely experienced and gradually discharged.  

  • SE™may employ touch in support of the healing process.  

  • SE™ uses the idea of “titration,” (breaking the process of feeling down into small, incremental steps) instead of trying to evoke catharsis - which can be overwhelming and potentially retraumatizing.

SE™ can result in a number of benefits to you such as relief of stress symptoms, increased resiliency, less reactivity, and more ease. Experiencing the results of SE™ varies according to each persons experience. Like any other treatment it may also have unintended, unwanted effects such as sleep disturbances, frightening memories, or unfamiliar and uncomfortable body sensations. Such reactions are not uncommon and can be attended to in the course of our work together.


For more information about Somatic Experiencing,™ do check out the following references:

  • Levine, P. and Frederick, A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma : The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

  • Kline, M. and Levine, P. (2007). Trauma Through A Child’s Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.

  • For further references and information online about SE go to http://www.traumahealing.org