What is Somatic Experiencing™?

Somatic Experiencing™ (SE®) offers a new and hopeful vision of trauma. It is a short-term, naturalistic approach to the resolution of trauma developed by Dr. Peter Levine. 

Trauma is not a disease; it is a state of “dis-ease.” Discomfort is a signal to us that something inside needs our attention. If these signals go unanswered, they eventually evolve into the symptoms of trauma.  

Each individual experience is unique. Many symptoms can appear and be very stressful and confusing to people. In most cases, our bodies have retained the crucial information that link the symptoms to the original trauma. That is why it is essential that we learn to trust the messages our bodies are giving us. The symptoms of trauma are internal wake-up calls. Through Somatic Experiencing™ (SE®), we can learn how to listen to our body, to increase both physical and mental awareness, and begin to heal our traumas.