Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a body-centered modality that seeks to resolve trauma and chronic stress. Unlike some types of talk therapy, SE works directly with the nervous system and focuses on how trauma is held in the body via sensations, posture, symptoms, and more. SE helps us learn the language of your unique nervous system to ultimately restore a sense of safety and regulation. SE works slowly, gently, and at the pace of your system in order to prevent re-traumatization. This method can be especially helpful for people who experience anxiety, chronic overwhelm, dissociation, and/or folks who feel like they are often stuck in survival mode.

Dr. Peter Levine, the founder of SE, became fascinated by how animals respond to life-threatening situations. He noticed that although animals frequently face danger, they rarely show signs of trauma the way humans do. His research revealed that threat doesn’t involve just the fight-or-flight response—it also involves a third survival strategy: freeze. When neither fighting nor fleeing is possible, the body may shut down and “play dead” as a protective response. However, if the all that energy (that was mobilized to fight or flee) isn’t released after the freeze response, it can remain trapped in the body, keeping the nervous system stuck in a state of perceived threat, and go on to produce symptoms.

SE helps to gently discharge stored energy, regulate the nervous system, and return to a sense of safety, ease, and vitality. Over time, we build capacity to be with, manage, and ultimately enjoy more of our life experiences.

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Trauma often occurs in isolation and involves “too much, too fast” or “too little for too long”, and overwhelms our capacity to cope. Trauma resolution, then, requires the opposite conditions. Our nervous systems appreciate lots of time, space, and support in order to process and make sense of what happened to us (or maybe what didn’t get to happen). And doing so with an empathetic witness offers attunement and safety in connection.

Time, Space, & Support

This is an invitation to slow down and notice what’s happening inside—not to fix it or figure it out, but to meet it with openness and care. This kind of gentle attention helps you reconnect with the wisdom of body. By staying curious, we create space for sensations, emotions, and patterns to emerge and be understood. Over time, this mindful noticing becomes a powerful tool for healing and deeper self-trust.

Curious Awareness

The ultimate goal of SE is to build your capacity— your ability to stay with your experience, even in the face of stress or strong emotions. Rather than diving into overwhelm, we work slowly and gently, helping your nervous system grow more resilient over time. This means you’re better able to feel, process, and move through life’s challenges without shutting down or becoming flooded. This is the foundation for lasting, embodied change.

Building Capacity