Frequently Asked Questions
"You will never get bored because there will always be something new to learn about yourself"
-Nancy Levin
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a gentle, noninvasive way of working with your body's nervous system and natural protective responses to directly address trauma symptoms.
SE uses 9 tools to accomplish this (adapted from The Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine):
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1. establishing an environment of relative safety
2. exploring and accepting sensation
3. pendulation and containment
4. titration
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6. uncoupling fear from immobility response
7. discharging excess survival energy
8. self-regulation
9. orienting to the here and now
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In most cases, all symptoms of trauma are completely resolved. For a greater in-depth look at why SE works please visit my resources page here, Read any of Dr. Peter Levine's books, or visit his website https://traumahealing.org/about-us/#about
What if I can't remember the traumatic event? Will SE still work for me?
Yes! Even if your mind can't remember an event, your body and nervous system do. Because SE is a body-based modality, recalling an event is not necessary for healing to occur. There are many reasons for not being able to remember an event such as being very young or blacking out during the event. Blocking memories or disassociating is a common protective mechanism so we want to work with it, not against it. During SE your body and mind will begin to feel safe again and a memory may or may not surface. If a memory surfaces, you will be equipped to handle the memory and will be ready to renegotiate the trauma and free yourself. Regardless of any narrative or specific memory, after completing SE you will be free from the symptoms of trauma and ready to build your dream life.
I remember the event but I DON'T want to talk about it. I just want to feel better. Is SE right for me?
SE is perfect for you. Rexperiencing the emotions and memories by constantly talking about the event can be detrimental and retraumatizing. One of the aspects of SE traumatized individuals love the most is that they don't have to talk about the event at all and still experience great results. The only time the event might be discussed is later on in treatment when the body, mind, and nervous system feels safe. At this point, you are ready to renegotiate the traumatic event and experience complete healing. To respect your healing process, I won't even ask about the event until you let me know you are ready.
I have already tried other therapies and medications and I just want to give up. Why should I try SE?
Experiencing a traumatic event can be one of the most overwhelming, painful, and terrifying experiences of our lives. Exhaustion is completely understandable and feeling frustrated and wanting to give up is completely valid. Anyone in this position would feel that way.
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Fortunately, trauma can also be one of the most transformational, empowering, and resiliency building experiences we can encounter when we are able to heal and get to the other side of it. You deserve to experience this healing and transformation and live your life to the fullest.
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There are many reasons why other treatments, therapies, and modalities fail at addressing trauma and resolving symptoms. For more info please scroll down and read the answer to the question 'How is SE different?' or call and book a free consultation where we can discuss some solutions.
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Please don't give up! Even if you aren't ready to make an appointment, reading my blog post on why therapists sometimes say or do the wrong thing series may help. As soon as you're ready, I'll be here for you.
I've failed over and over again at getting over what happened to me. How will you help me succeed?
There are many reasons why you didn't get the results you were looking for. During your complimentary phone consultation, we will identify why and start to form a plan that will address your unique challenges and lead you from trauma to triumph. Two of the main obstacles, I see getting in the way of clients experiencing results is the focus on thinking their way out of trauma or trying to resist or repress symptoms. The body and nervous system must be addressed in order to fully heal trauma. SE eliminates these two obstacles by working with our bodies' natural protective mechanisms (not against it) and directly addresses the nervous system without endless thinking and talking.
How is SE different from EDMR, Trauma focused CBT, hikomi, or any other therapy?
SE is a body-based, bottom-up approach to trauma. In contrast, most therapies such as EMD and CBT are top-down modalities that attempt to work with the psychology (thoughts, memories, etc) of trauma. Dr. Peter Levine developed SE over the course of 40 years using his research on the effects of trauma, the immobility response, and experiences on animals.
SE practitioners are highly trained, specialized in trauma, sensitive, and compassionate. They spend 3 years completing training in SE in order to become certified. This is above and beyond their training as a bodyworker, healer, counselor, or therapist. They understand that in order for them to be an effective trauma therapist they must be committed, self-aware, and have done the work necessary to be able to hold a safe space for their clients
I've decided I want to try SE. How do I get the most out of my sessions?
Curiosity
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Investment
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Trust
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Awareness of the Process
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Contract
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Clearly Identifying the Problem
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Participation
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Patience
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Nonjudgement
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How many sessions do I need until I start feeling better?
Sometimes as few as 1 or 2 depending on where you are at on your healing journey. I will start establishing a feeling of safety for you right away so you begin to feel relief, even for a brief moment, on day 1.
SE is designed to effectively resolve the symptoms of trauma by directly addressing the core issue. While it is efficient it is also gentle and done slowly. There is a delicate balance between making progress and steadily moving forward so you feel relief and too much too soon which will overwhlem you and could cause you to retreat further into immobility, and reinforcing the cycle of trauma.
Do I need to be diagnosed or have a doctor's referral in order to work with you?
No, a diagnosis is not necessary. I accept all clients who think or feel they have been through a traumatic event and are feeling the effects. If you have any questions or concerns I recommend you consult your doctor before trying any new program. If you are currently working with another therapist, participating in another program or on medication please discuss your decision to begin SE with each medical professional so that we can work together as a team and provide you with the best care.
What if the event happened 5, 10, 20, or even 30 years ago? Will SE still work for me? Why should I bother?
In order to deal with the overwhelm, rage, immobility, and fear that comes from trauma, we develop coping mechanisms to manage symptoms and get us through the day.
But coping, enduring, and managing are not the same thing as resolving and truly being free.
The body, mind, and nervous system can hold on to trauma for a lifetime, staying stuck like a broken record unless we complete the cycle and allow the nervous system to reset and regulate. SE can help reset the nervous system at any time, no matter how long it has been since the event.
It is never too late to begin experiencing life without trauma symptoms.