Understanding Somatic Experiencing: A Body-Centered Approach to Trauma

Somatic experiencing is a type of therapy that helps people recover from trauma and other issues that may cause continuous stress. This form of treatment was developed by Peter Levine. Levine noticed that animals that were not domesticated and feral could recover from traumatic events by literally shaking off the stress, much like a dog shakes off the water after a bath.

Levine believed that humans could benefit from the same practice. Thus, somatic experiencing was created. Somatic experiencing can be an extremely beneficial asset to those with built-up trauma and stress. The process involves focusing on what your body is feeling and telling you. By doing so, the individual releases tension, making it easier to start healing.

What Is Somatic Experiencing?

woman in somatic therapy

Somatic experiencing’s entire premise is based on the notion that the body can heal itself and that the trauma symptoms are often the result of not being able to process the traumatic events properly. The human nervous system plays one of the most crucial roles in the symptoms of trauma. Trauma is not solely psychological but also physiological. By focusing on the body’s sensations, somatic experiencing can help individuals process trauma and stress.

Another important part of somatic experiencing is tapping into resources that the individual already has at their disposal. These resources can include:

  • Physical feelings in the body
  • Memories
  • Emotions
  • Any type of relationship

By utilizing these resources, resilience and a greater quality of life can be obtained.

Techniques Utilized In Somatic Experiencing

Somatic experiencing also incorporates techniques to help those in treatment regulate their nervous system and manage emotions when they become overwhelming. These techniques include:

  • Pendulation which involves moving back and forth between feelings of security and uneasiness.
  • Titration which breaks down the difficult feelings into smaller parts that are easier to manage.
  • Grounding techniques which are utilized to keep the individual in the present moment while all this is happening.
  • Resourcing which provides positive experiences and emotions to help change that cycle of trauma.

How Somatic Experiencing Works

Somatic experiencing is effective in addressing a range of mental health concerns including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, grief, and chronic pain. It is effective for children and adults and can be used with other forms of treatment or by itself.

The first stages of somatic experiencing must establish a sense of safety and trust between the therapist and the client. The therapist assists the client in identifying the physical sensations that ail the body when the client feels triggered or stressed. Following the first stage, the therapist will then start working with the client to process traumatic memories and events.

The therapist will utilize titration by working at small pieces of the trauma at a time rather than overwhelming the client with everything all at once. Then, the therapist helps the client by administering pendulation. The client will then go from a traumatic memory to a resource (a pleasant memory or feeling) to help regulate their nervous system and quiet the symptoms.

The last stages of somatic experiencing involve turning those traumatic experiences into something that promotes resilience and healing. This step is called completion, and it requires the therapist to help the client find meaning and purpose in their experience. Doing so will help the client find more positive influence in these experiences and in their overall life.

Somatic Experiencing Can Help You

Somatic experiencing is a very technical but powerful tool to use against a variety of different mental health conditions. The practice requires a strong bond between therapist and client, which requires the two to work together in harmony. Let’s talk more about what trauma treatments might work best for you. Please, reach out for the help you deserve.