About Somatic Experiencing (SE)®
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About Somatic Experiencing (SE)® *
Somatic Experiencing was developed by Peter Levine, referencing neuroscience, polyvagal theory, various forms of therapy, indigenous knowledge, and nature.
SE® is defined as work with the nervous system, you could also call it trauma therapy.
Our nervous systems have their own steady rhythm - contracting, then expanding - a bit like breathing, or the tides of the ocean.
If something happens that exceeds this system's capacity (something traumatic), it might throw this rhythm out of balance. Many things “too much“ happening over the course of many years, or really difficult things happening very early on in life, can make this state chronic. The nervous system then struggles to regain equilibrium, resulting in persistent dysregulation.
When I speak of trauma, I don't mean „that scary stuff that only happens to a few“. I believe that trauma is simply what happens to us over the course of a lifetime, kind of inevitably, kind of life happening in real time.
On a micro scale, this includes being hurt by those close to us, experiencing misfortune, loss or violence. On a larger scale, it means living in a world full of capitalism, genocide, ecocide – in a system that is not designed to be good to the people and the earth.
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Being „on“ all the time – Persistent fatigue – Inability to relax – Pain/Migraines – Depression – Anxiety – Panic attacks – Sleep disturbances – Inner Void – Feeling disconnected from oneself – Feeling disconnected from others – Inability to say no – Being under constant pressure – Compulsions – Lack of control – Everything feeling too much all the time – Being overwhelmed by one's emotions – Despair – Rage – Sensory Overload – Burnout - …..
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The good news is: Together, we can help your nervous system find its way back to its very own rhythm. It has probably been waiting for this for a long time. In SE® sessions, we do this by creating new experiences in the present moment.
We approach your nervous system in its very own language. This can happen by tracking bodily sensations, but it doesn't have to. We can also use images, colours, movement, feelings, or thoughts for this. Frozen trauma energy can slowly get into motion again and transform; stuck impulses—initially a means of protection that your body couldn't process—can be completed. And, bit by bit, vitality returns.
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Slowly and mindfully
Trauma means: Too much, too fast, too sudden. In our sessions, it's always about how much your system can handle at that exact time, within your capacity. Your boundaries gently guide us.
Together
Trauma also means: You were usually alone with it. I will be by your side, and together we can cautiously approach whatever wants to arise.
In Safety
Through orientation and presence, we establish safety so your nervous system can feel at ease.
With Curiosity
Let's be curious about where your system leads us, and what happens along the way.
With whatever is there
SE® does not mean we want to get rid of unpleasant feelings or symptoms. Instead, we help them find their place within the system. Often, they then simply fade away on their own.
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Being more in touch with yourself – Being able to be present – Being able to say no – Noticing your own needs – Sleeping better – Less pain – Being able to feel more – More access to one's power – Being in flow – Seeing life more in colour – Being more in contact with others and your surroundings – More self compassion – Being able to be with what is - …
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Hearing all the stories about self-regulation on Instagram (which you probably couldn't escape if you wanted to), one might think it's about being deeply relaxed all the time.
To say that much: It's not. If your nervous system is better regulated, it doesn't necessarily mean it is more relaxed, but rather more flexible. This means it can react adequately to what is happening right here, right now.
A nervous system that has stored a lot of traumatic energy is often "on" in calm surroundings (e.g., being unable to sleep at night, thoughts racing) and "off" when something really stressful is happening (e.g., not being able to feel how exhausting it is to work 60 hours a week).
An adequate reaction would be the other way around: A system that can be calm when there is no danger or stress present. And when danger does arrive, it can mobilise the energy needed to reach safety. Once safe, it can return to its calm state.
So it's not about: Just breathing the stress away. When something is really stressful, it makes total sense to feel stressed.
Or: Remaining untouched while the world around you is engulfed in flames. All the anger, grief, and helplessness in the face of such circumstances is completely appropriate.
But rather: Being in touch with what is happening around you right at this moment—with people, with the earth. Being sentient. And finding ways to be with what is too much, for example in community/ with the support of others. Also: Building capacity to be able to hold space for our world in all its complexity (including all the beauty)