Somatic Experiencing
Somatic experiencing, a branch of embodiment work, focuses on inner-body experience. SE assists people in connecting with their body, enabling them to recognize and process difficult or traumatic memories and experiences. It also helps them restore lost parts of themselves and be present to experience the wealth of resources and knowledge held in the body.
How Somatic Experiencing Works
During SE sessions, people are asked to pay close attention to inner or body experiences that are typically ignored or minimized. This attention leads to the development of a language to describe what is happening—sensations, images, physical impulses, emotions, and eventually meaning or narrative. Noticing thoughts or judgments that stand in the way of embodied knowledge is also part of this work. The body stores information about all that has happened, even experiences the mind has forgotten, which is why SE is such an effective tool to deal with past trauma. Often when experiencing trauma, the body freezes in an incomplete and highly activated state. SE allows the body to complete the biological response and restore equilibrium.
Integrating Somatic Experiencing with Psychotherapy
SE can be used as a stand-alone treatment but is more often combined with other psychotherapy modalities. My training in psychodynamic psychotherapy provides insights and a frame to recognize historical patterns and access the full range of a person's intra-psychic makeup.