Healing Through the Body
Understanding Somatic Experiencing®: A Body-Based Approach to Trauma Recovery
Discover how Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) helps resolve trauma and chronic stress by working with the nervous system—not against it. Learn how this powerful, body-first method restores resilience and regulation by supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.
Understanding Trauma Through the SE™ Lens
Trauma isn’t defined by the event itself—but by how it lives in the nervous system. From medical procedures and accidents to abuse, neglect, war, and loss, trauma can arise from both acute and cumulative stress. Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) views trauma as a disruption in the body’s ability to regulate and recover from threat responses such as fight, flight, or freeze.
Rather than focusing only on the story or memory, SE™ works with the physiological imprints of trauma, supporting the body in restoring balance and resilience. By helping individuals regulate their nervous system, SE™ practitioners facilitate deep healing—often beyond what traditional talk therapy can reach.
This nervous system–based approach offers a profound shift: it empowers the body to complete survival responses that were never fully discharged, creating space for renewed vitality, presence, and integration.
The Evolution of Somatic Experiencing®: A Journey of Healing and Innovation
Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) was developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, who drew inspiration from his studies of stress physiology, psychology, biology, and observations of animals in the wild. He discovered that animals are able to survive life-threatening experiences without developing trauma symptoms—thanks to their natural ability to discharge excess energy and complete survival responses.
This insight became the foundation for SE™: a body-oriented therapeutic model that helps individuals recover from trauma by addressing what is held in the nervous system, rather than focusing solely on memory or narrative.
Over the past four decades, SE™ has become a pioneering trauma resolution method, applied in diverse fields including psychotherapy, medicine, bodywork, education, disaster relief, and crisis intervention. Its principles have been scientifically studied, and its effectiveness continues to gain global recognition.
History
The Evolution of Somatic Experiencing®: A Journey of Healing and Innovation
Early 1970s: Development of Somatic Experiencing
Dr. Peter A. Levine, a neurophysiologist and psychologist, began exploring how trauma impacts the body and nervous system. Inspired by both personal experiences and studies of animals in the wild, he discovered that trauma is often stored in the body—not just the mind. This realization laid the foundation for Somatic Experiencing® and sparked a multidisciplinary journey into physiology, psychology, biology, and neuroscience.
1994: Founding of the Foundation for Human Enrichment
Dr. Levine founded the Foundation for Human Enrichment, now known as Somatic Experiencing® International (SEI), to offer global training and research in the SE™ approach.
2017: Randomized Controlled Outcome Study
A groundbreaking study titled “Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study” was published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress. Led by researchers including Gina Ross, Danny Brom, and others, the study demonstrated SE™’s effectiveness in treating PTSD and regulating nervous system responses to trauma.
2024: 30th Anniversary of SEI
In 2024, Somatic Experiencing® International marked its 30th anniversary—celebrating three decades of training practitioners worldwide and advancing the science and practice of body-based trauma resolution.
Grow Personally, Heal Professionally
Personal Growth and Therapist Resilience Through Somatic Experiencing®
Training in Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) offers more than just clinical tools—it’s a deeply personal journey of healing and self-discovery. As therapists learn to support others through trauma resolution, they also gain greater awareness of their own nervous system, leading to increased resilience, emotional regulation, and long-term well-being in their practice.
Therapist Well-Being and Burnout Prevention
SE™ equips you with practical techniques to stay grounded while working with trauma. By regulating your own physiological stress responses, you can maintain emotional balance, prevent burnout, and foster sustainable, ethical care for your clients.
A Pathway to Personal Healing
Through SE™ training, many practitioners report transformative shifts in their own lives. By releasing held stress and connecting with their inner capacity to heal, therapists often experience renewed clarity, presence, and a deeper sense of purpose—both in and out of the therapy room.
Take the Next Step With Somatic Experiencing®
Whether you’re beginning your trauma-informed journey or ready to deepen your expertise, training in Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) offers a powerful path forward. Join a community of professionals committed to healing—personally and clinically—and bring lasting change to your practice and your clients.
