Somatic Experiencing
A body-oriented approach that works with stress responses and regulation.
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based approach developed by Peter Levine for working with the physiological residue of stressful and traumatic experiences. It focuses on noticing body sensations and gently working with incomplete stress responses — the body's thwarted impulses to fight, flee, or freeze. Sessions are gentle and paced to avoid overwhelm.
A body-oriented approach to completing unresolved stress and trauma responses.
What to expect: Sessions are typically 50–60 minutes, often conducted seated. The practitioner guides attention to body sensations, using them as a compass for the work. Progress is gradual and paced carefully. It is not a talking therapy in the traditional sense — the verbal content matters less than what is happening in the body. Many practitioners integrate SE into a broader practice. SE is a gradual, paced approach — change rarely happens quickly. Most people work with SE over months. After 6–8 sessions, have an honest conversation with your practitioner about what is shifting and what your continued goals are. A good SE practitioner will revisit this regularly.
Good fit for: You want to work with stress or trauma through the body rather than primarily through narrative, Standard talk therapy has felt incomplete or has not addressed your physical symptoms, You are willing to work at a slow, careful pace, You want to develop better self-regulation over time
Explore for: Stress responses that feel stuck or frequently triggered, Hypervigilance or a body that rarely feels fully at rest, Physical symptoms with no clear medical cause, History of difficult or traumatic experiences affecting daily life, Difficulty feeling grounded or present in the body
Not the right fit if: You are in acute crisis and need immediate support, You are looking for quick results, You want a structured, skills-based program, You are not ready to attend to body sensations
How to choose a practitioner: Look for a practitioner with formal SE training — there are different levels, with SEP (Somatic Experiencing Practitioner) indicating completion of the full training Ask about their background and how SE fits into their broader practice Choose someone who is clear about pacing and does not rush
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