Somatic Experiencing

SE is an approach that is used to resolve and heal trauma. It is based on the observation that animals in the wild rarely develop post traumatic stress symptoms even though they are routinely threatened. They are able to discharge high levels of activation that are associated with defensive survival behaviours.

For humans there is often interference in this renegotiation process and the residue of undischarged energy in the nervous system leads to post traumatic stress symptoms.

Some symptoms that can be the result of trauma in the body are fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, anxiety, depression, stress and others.
SE’s aim through awareness of bodily sensations is to renegotiate and heal trauma; to allow these highly aroused survival energies to be safely experienced and discharged in a gentle, titrating way so that traumatic experiences are not relived or become re-traumatizing.

SE works on building stabilization, increasing resiliency and resources so that one has the capacity to renegotiate traumatic symptoms without becoming overwhelmed.

Working with the body is fundamental in the healing of trauma as trauma is in our biology, not our biography.