I am currently completing my Somatic Experience training with Somatic Experience Australia and finding that this training allows me to work with the client’s felt sense, in away that the story is not central to the work.
What is Somatic therapy?
Somatic Experiencing Therapy (SET) is a revolutionary approach to trauma healing that delves into the innate wisdom of the body's natural responses to overwhelming experiences. Founded by Dr. Peter A. Levine in the 1970s, this integrative modality recognizes that trauma is not just a psychological experience but is also held within the body. Somatic Experiencing Therapy empowers individuals to gently explore and release trapped traumatic energy, fostering a profound sense of healing, resilience, and restoration
Somatic Experiencing Therapy is grounded in the understanding that traumatic events can overwhelm an individual's ability to process and integrate the experience. As a result, the body's natural responses to stress and danger become dysregulated, leading to a state of persistent distress. SET works to address this by facilitating the completion of the body's instinctual responses, allowing the nervous system to restore balance and self-regulate.
Founder - Dr. Peter A. Levine
Dr. Peter A. Levine, a renowned psychologist, and biologist, is the mastermind behind Somatic Experiencing Therapy. Drawing inspiration from his extensive study of animal behavior and the instinctual trauma responses observed in animals, Dr. Levine developed SET as a comprehensive approach to trauma resolution.
Core Principles and Uses of Somatic Experiencing Therapy:
- Focused on Sensations: Unlike traditional talk therapies, Somatic Experiencing Therapy places significant emphasis on physical sensations and bodily experiences. Practitioners guide clients to tune into their physiological responses to trauma in a safe and controlled manner.
- Titration and Pendulation: SET utilizes the principles of titration and pendulation, meaning the gradual exploration of traumatic experiences in manageable portions. This ensures that individuals do not become overwhelmed during the therapeutic process.
- Resourcing: Therapists in SET help clients develop and access internal and external resources, such as feelings of safety, support systems, and coping strategies. These resources aid in navigating challenging emotional terrain during trauma processing.
- Organic Unfolding: The therapeutic process in Somatic Experiencing Therapy is allowed to unfold naturally. This honors the body's innate wisdom and avoids re-traumatization by avoiding forceful interventions.
Benefits of Somatic Experiencing Therapy:
Trauma Resolution: Somatic Experiencing Therapy empowers individuals to renegotiate and process traumatic memories and sensations. This can lead to a reduction in symptoms associated with trauma, such as anxiety, hypervigilance, and intrusive thoughts.
b. Enhanced Resilience: By reestablishing a sense of safety and balance within the nervous system, individuals can cultivate greater resilience in the face of future challenges and stressors.
c. Improved Mind-Body Connection: SET fosters a deeper connection between the mind and body, helping individuals become more attuned to their physical sensations and emotional experiences.
d. Emotional Regulation: As individuals gradually release trapped traumatic energy, they can experience improved emotional regulation and a greater sense of emotional well-being.
Somatic Experiencing Therapy provides a gentle and empowering path to trauma healing, recognizing the profound impact of traumatic experiences on both the mind and body. Dr. Peter A. Levine's groundbreaking approach emphasizes the wisdom of the body and the gradual processing of traumatic memories. As individuals engage in the organic unfolding of their healing journey, Somatic Experiencing Therapy offers a transformative path towards resilience, restoration, and a renewed sense of self.
