Somatic Experiencing Therapy

Somatic Experiencing (SE), developed by Dr. Peter Levine, offers a holistic strategy to achieve healing and resolution of trauma or emotional wounds. Somatic Experiencing is based on the premise that a person’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) becomes dysfunctional in relation to sudden arousal during trauma. SE attempts to help a person relearn to automatically regulate the release of energy associated with past trauma. SE Therapy targets the ability of the ANS to regulate and restore itself to balance in order to allow a client to regain a normal level of functioning after experiencing trauma. At PCH Treatment Center, Somatic Experiencing is practiced through individual therapy sessions. This form of therapy is often used for developmental traumas and can be combined with other forms of psychotherapy. Somatic Experiencing attempts to promote awareness and release of physical tension that proponents believe remains in the body in the aftermath of trauma.