— Therapy
Somatic Experiencing
“The Body Remembers What Your Mind Forgets.”
– Martha Manning
Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing ™ is a slower-paced, body-based approach to trauma resolution. This approach normalizes symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, dissociative disorders, anxiety and mood disorders, and other symptoms traditionally diagnosed as a mental illness as typical, appropriate responses of our nervous system to atypical and traumatic events. Somatic Experiencing™ uses sensory awareness, movement, and other tools to help clients regain control over their nervous system, therefore regaining control over triggers, panic attacks, strong emotional responses, and other symptoms.
Who does Somatic Experiencing™ work for?
Somatic Experiencing™ helps clients bring awareness to the physical sensations paired with emotions that occur when our reptilian (survival) brain engages the threat response cycle. Clients often prefer Somatic Experiencing ™ if they do not feel comfortable talking about the details of their trauma, as the details are not required in order to move the trauma out of the nervous system. Individuals who are new to therapy or have not yet begun their trauma healing journey are able to use their body’s wisdom to set the tone and pace of the treatment process.
How is Somatic Experiencing Incorporated into an EMDR™, Psychodrama or Ego State Therapy Session?
Training in both EMDR™ and Somatic Experiencing™ allows Lindsey to meet each client where they are most comfortable, whether it is taking a straight forward approach, or slowly working from the edges of a traumatic event into the heaviest part of the experience. A typical session at Embodied Connections Psychotherapy will include Somatic Experiencing™ exercises aimed at improving body awareness, Ego State Therapy to support connection to Self along with spontaneous role playing and storytelling activities through the use of Psychodrama, and possibly targeted reprocessing of a specific memory through EMDR™. Ultimately, the plan for each session is determined collaboratively between client and therapist.