Somatic Experiencing®
How does Somatic Experiencing® Work?
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) understands that while trauma is predominately experienced, stored, and relived through the body, the body also possesses an innate wisdom and ability to counter trauma’s effects in order to restore balance and well-being. SE helps create the conditions and provides support for the body’s natural healing processes to unfold.
In SE sessions, we can explore the following to help with trauma resolution:
- Resourcing – Identify positive and calming memories of a place, person, or something you love to serve as your resource. As your capacity to stay present with a resource increases, so does your capacity to be with difficult emotions or content.
- Titration – Gradually explore difficult memories, sensations, or emotions at a pace that feels safe for you. New neural pathways form as you practice staying embodied during difficult memories.
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Pendulation – Gently develop the capacity to have a fluid experience of going between difficult memories to resources that are soothing and settling. This process supports the nervous system’s capacity to integrate highly charged material.
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Tracking Sensation – Pay attention to bodily sensations as a way to help you regulate difficult emotions and notice where there are pleasant experiences in the body.
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Boundary Setting – You can use sensation tracking to help your mind and body attune to your needs, values, and your embodied “yes” and embodied “no”.
I have completed up to Intermediate III training in Somatic Experiencing® and am on track to become a Somatic Experiencing® practitioner by Spring of 2025.
You can learn more about SE here.