Somatic Experiencing

In SE, the definition of traumatic experiences is wider, to include anything that creates a shock to the nervous system. “Trauma” can include a 911, discovery of an affair or a sudden health issue or be smaller like news of a difficult job loss, a fight w/ a friend, chronic criticism, medical treatment, or a car accident. Not all of these experiences are automatically traumatic – that varies among individuals. But some moments hold great physical “charge” (the shock) in our bodies years later, even though our logic tells us that we have survived and it’s over. By helping to bring down that physical charge, then, we see many external symptoms (ie sleeplessness, anxiety, flatness, low motivation) decrease naturally.

Sessions at first glance look just like traditional “talk” therapy, but the focus of sessions then becomes one’s internal experiences and body reactions, instead of details of a story. It is comparable to EMDR in that the clinician is assisting the client’s body to become more regulated/ balanced; SE can be a gentler, more subtler method, however, than EMDR. In addition to talk, SE brings in simple movements; some clinicians bring play and artwork to the work as well. It blends well with all of the other modalities listed on this site.

At Family Resilience, our clinicians think daily in terms of the SE principles and how to teach them to clients. We believe it is important for our clients to become aware of the effect their nervous system reactions (ie anger spikes, constant sleeping, distant stares . . .) are having on partners, family members and significant others in their lives. It becomes the “missing puzzle piece” once explained.

Here are two links that give further information: