Somatic Experiencing (SE)

What is Somatic Experiencing, and how can it help me?

Somatic Experiencing is a body-based therapy that helps you gently release the effects of stress and trauma that may be stuck in your nervous system. Instead of just talking about what happened, this approach helps you tune into your body’s signals—things like tension, breathing, or the urge to move—and work with those sensations to find relief.

When we go through something overwhelming—whether a major trauma or years of ongoing stress—our body can hold onto that experience. You might feel:

• Stuck in high alert (anxiety, panic, racing thoughts)

• Shut down or numb (depression, fatigue, disconnection)

• Trapped in physical tension or unexplained symptoms

Somatic Experiencing helps your body “unwind” the stress response, so you can feel calmer, more present, and more in control.

What will I get out of this therapy?

With SE, you can:

• Feel safer in your own body

• Release built-up physical and emotional tension

• Get unstuck from fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown patterns

• Build more resilience—so stress doesn’t hit you as hard or linger as long

• Reconnect with your natural sense of calm, vitality, and flow

What happens in a session?

Instead of diving into the full story of your trauma, your therapist will guide you slowly and gently—focusing on small pieces at a time (this is called titration). For example:

• You might talk about a difficult experience very briefly, while paying attention to how your body feels.

• Your therapist will help you notice subtle shifts in your body—like a sigh, a tremble, or the urge to stretch or move—and support you in allowing those movements to happen naturally.

• These movements are how your body releases stress and returns to balance.

• You'll learn to regulate your emotions and body responses with more ease, and feel more grounded in the present moment.

Somatic Experiencing helps you heal trauma by working with your body, not just your thoughts. It’s a gentle, respectful way to let your nervous system complete what it couldn’t do at the time of the trauma—so you can move forward with more ease, safety, and inner strength.