Somatic Experiencing
When facing danger, human beings, like other animals, respond with the fight-or-flight survival mechanism. But unlike other animals, people don’t always successfully release the stress-filled energy after the danger has passed. Traumas remain in our systems and continually cause problems. In such cases, help is necessary.
Somatic experiencing is a body-oriented approach to healing the consequences of traumatic events such as falls, accidents, medical procedures, violent assaults and several other situations whose speed or intensity prevented you from reacting properly.
This unresolved trauma remains in your nervous system as thwarted energy bound in the body and impairs your ability to experience joy and pleasure. You may feel powerless, scared, panicky, irritable or absent-minded. Different symptoms may present, such as chronic physical pain, migraines, sleep disorders and a weakened immune system. Your body can be strained, tense or numb.
A somatic experiencing session focuses on your body’s language and sensations which appear in connection to a certain traumatic event. The safe relationship with your therapist fosters a safe place to release this traumatic energy from your body.
Somatic experiencing will help you recognize the early signs of stress. You will learn the most effective self-regulation techniques. Successfully facing trauma might even cause a comprehensive personal transformation, meaning you will feel more confident, assertive, spontaneous and capable of leading a more vital, full, joyful and creative life.
Warning: with severe trauma, neurological or psychiatric treatment is recommended.
Recommended literature:
- Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma (1997). (Peter Levine’s first book which was translated into more than 20 languages.)
- Trauma through a Child’s Eyes: Infancy through Adolescence (2007, co-written by Maggie Kline.
- Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body (2008). Sounds True.
- In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness (2010). North Atlantic Books.
- Freedom from Pain: Discover Your Body’s Power to Overcome Physical Pain (2012, co-written by Maggie Phillips) Sounds True.
Trauma is a fact of life, but it does not have to be a life sentence. Not only can trauma be healed, but with appropriate guidance and support, it can be transformative. Trauma has a potential to be one of the most significant forces for psychological, social and spiritual awakening and evolution.
