About Somatic Experiencing

Peter A. Levine is a renowned psychologist, researcher, and author who is best known for his work in the field of trauma and stress. He is the founder of Somatic Experiencing® (SE), a therapeutic approach designed to help individuals overcome the effects of trauma and stress by focusing on the body's physical sensations and responses.

Somatic Experiencing is based on the understanding that trauma and stress can become trapped in the body, leading to a range of physical and psychological symptoms. Levine's approach aims to release this trapped energy and help individuals complete the natural biological response to traumatic events, which he refers to as the "fight, flight, or freeze" response.

The core principles of Somatic Experiencing include:

1. Pendulation: Encouraging individuals to move back and forth between experiencing sensations associated with the trauma and feelings of safety and relaxation. This process allows for the gradual release of overwhelming emotions.

2. Titration: Breaking down the traumatic experience into manageable pieces, addressing small aspects of the trauma at a time rather than overwhelming the individual with the entire experience.

3. Resourcing: Helping individuals build inner resources, such as a sense of safety and support, to enhance their ability to cope with the traumatic material as it arises.

4. Tracking: Paying close attention to bodily sensations, movements, and physiological responses during the therapeutic process to gain insight into the individual's experience.

Through these techniques, Somatic Experiencing aims to resolve trauma and its associated symptoms, such as anxiety, hypervigilance, and physical tension, without retraumatizing the individual. Levine's work has had a significant impact on trauma therapy, and Somatic

Experiencing has been widely adopted by practitioners around the world.