“Trauma is a fact of life. It doesn’t, however, need to be a life sentence.”
– Peter Levine, Founder of Somatic Experiencing

The Somatic Experiencing method is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma. It is informed by stress physiology, psychology, biology, and neuroscience . Somatic Experiencing is one of the many approaches that informs my work with trauma survivors.

When we experience trauma, our body acts automatically to defend against the threat and help keep us safe and alive. These natural body defenses involve a fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown response. All too often with trauma, the body gets stuck in one or more of these natural defenses, causing difficult and intolerable sensations. Ultimately many survivors of trauma go on to develop various emotional, psychological and physical strategies to avoid and escape what feels difficult and intolerable. When trauma has been experienced, we must address the impact at all levels: emotional, psychological, and physical in order for true healing to occur.

“Your body has a wise, trustworthy, and powerful voice”

A Somatic Experiencing approach deeply honours the body’s innate survival wisdom while also using tools and skills to help the body, and therefore the mind, become “unstuck” by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions.

If you have experienced trauma in your life, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss with you how I can support your healing journey.

For more information on SE, please visit the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute website at https://traumahealing.org/about-us/.

“The single most important issue for traumatized people is to find a sense of safety in their own bodies” – Bessel van der Kolk