Somatic Experience Therapy
What Is It
Somatic Experience (SE) is a body-focused therapeutic approach designed to help individuals heal from trauma and chronic stress. Unlike traditional talk therapies, SE works directly with the nervous system, helping clients release stored tension and emotions through gentle, body-centered awareness. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, this method aims to restore balance by addressing the physical sensations that arise in response to traumatic events, allowing for deeper healing and lasting change.
How It Works
In Somatic Experience therapy, the focus is on the felt sense—the internal awareness of bodily sensations. Rather than analyzing past events, clients are guided to notice subtle changes in their bodies. This helps release stuck energy and tension in a safe, gradual way. Your therapist will help you regulate the nervous system, promoting a sense of safety and calm, which allows for the integration of traumatic experiences and challenging emotions/sensations without overwhelm.
What Somatic Experience Can Treat
Somatic Experience therapy can be effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Anxiety and Panic Disorders
- Depression
- Chronic Pain
- Grief and Loss
- Attachment and Developmental Trauma
Who Can Benefit
SE is especially beneficial for individuals who have experienced trauma, PTSD, or overwhelming stress. It can help with emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, and even chronic pain; as these conditions can be linked to unresolved trauma stored in the body. SE can also be useful for people who have had difficulty resolving trauma through other forms of therapy, as it focuses on bodily sensations and responses that might not surface through talking alone.
What To Expect From Therapy
Put simply, you will get out of therapy what you put into it. It’s not a magic solution that will solve all your problems. It may involve you doing some real work and being completely honest with yourself and your therapist. Sometimes facing our truth is the hardest thing of all – but from that discomfort can come healing and growth.
Insight’s therapists are available for in-person, online, or telephone counselling at many locations in Alberta. Contact us to learn more
