In the last few years I have spent time developing my skillset in providing somatic based therapy. The framework that I have receiving training in is called Somatic Experiencing®. Somatic Experiencing® was developed by psychotherapist Peter A. Levine, PhD, who combined his extensive clinical work with trauma survivors and his research on animals to create a modality that has helped many people recover from trauma.
In traditional talk therapy, it has been found that while many people experience relief, there are some experiences in our life that cannot be processed through talking alone. This is because many trauma symptoms are experienced as physical sensations that are not controlled by the part of our brain that manages thoughts and language.
When we experience something traumatic (anything that is "too fast, too soon, too much”), our innate survival response is activated. This response allows us to survive physically and emotionally threatening situations. However, sometimes the survival response is left incomplete and it continues to cycle over and over. We then continue to experience the remnants of trauma in our daily life.
Through Somatic Experiencing®, we become more familiar with our nervous system and develop the skills to regulate sensations of distress. We also learn how to become aware of the physical sensations of relaxation and joy. We attain the ability to feel a sense of internal safety.
In Somatic Experiencing®, trauma that has been stored in the body is recognized and experienced with a greater sense of tolerance and management. The survival response system that was thwarted during the traumatic experiences, is enabled to be completed. Our traumatic experiences are integrated into our memory system and stored as past experiences. We are able to live in the present moment, without getting overwhelmed and pulled back into the past. We are able to move forward with a greater sense of internal strength and confidence.
I offer therapy that incorporates elements of Somatic Experiencing at a discounted rate while I continue my training. Contact me to learn more about these services and rates.