somatic experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented approach to transforming stress stored in the body, emotional trauma and the wounds of early developmental trauma. It was developed by Dr. Peter Levine, who observed that animals in the wild do not show symptoms of trauma even though they are often faced with life threatening situations.
The theory behind SE is that all experiences and emotions we have had, if they have not been processed, get stored in the body, in a form of stuck energy in the defence of fight, flight and freeze. Stored trauma, emotions and stressors can cause longer term physical symptoms such as chronic pain, tension, and digestive issues. SE uses tools to help a person move gently through these thwarted responses so that more resilience and life force energy can be restored.
During an SE session, the practitioner works with the individual by slowing down so that the body can properly integrate and renegotiate the unprocessed experiences. SE uses a variety of techniques to help individuals release tension and process trauma, including deep breathing, guided imagery, and physical movements. The practitioner may also use touch to help the individual become more aware of their body and to help release any physical tension. By releasing tension and stress stored in the body, individuals can experience a greater sense of relaxation, calm, and overall well-being.
SE has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of conditions, including anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression. It can be used as a standalone therapy or in conjunction with other forms of treatment.
Book in for a FREE consultation with Anna to discuss how this modality may be helpful to you.
experience presence.
-
All sessions are one hour long. The only difference between session one and follow up sessions is that we are new to each other, and is an opportunity for you tell me if you have any goals, concerns, perhaps what brought you to the session, or a sense of what direction you want to go in. This is your time.
-
Anna offers a free 15 minute phone or zoom consult, which you can book online if you would like to learn more or to ask questions.
-
Follow up sessions for somatic experiencing are 60 minutes in length. The ideal number of sessions and length of time between sessions will be determined by the practitioner and you, the client.
FAQ
-
Our bodies have a different way of remembering than our minds do. When we are faced with a moment where we cannot escape, flee, or must express disciplined responses that override our survival responses or will, the nervous system may respond by getting “stuck” in a dysregulated pattern. The holding of this “stuckness” takes up a lot of energy, and SE is an approach that works with the body together with your awareness to gently bring these actions to resolution, which can then re-regulate the nervous system pattern and allow for more life force energy to move in.
The specific experience that caused the nervous system to become “stuck” does not always look like one big impactful event, it could be a smaller event or series of subtle experiences.
-
You will remain fully clothed for the session and will be seated or laying down based on comfort levels.
Sessions begin with getting settled and orienting to the space, this is an important part of the work with Somatic Experiencing. Once you are oriented, we begin intention setting were we start considering what it is that has brought you, what you may want to work on, or anything that is important and relevant to you having come to a session. In the session we will work on some stability of the nervous system, and finding places of resource for you and your system. This work is really tailored to each individual.
Often times the body has a protective movement it needs to complete. We all know that when we share a story of a negative social interaction, for example, our whole body gets involved. We might tense up, wave our fist, our heart rate may go up, we may raise our voices. This is part of our vitality as humans, our body knows this moment, we essentially re-live it as we tell the story. However, when we are faced with an event where we were not met, got overwhelmed, were not able to defend ourselves, trauma or ‘stuck’ energy can be the result. SE uses a variety of techniques to help individuals release tension and process trauma in a gentle, non-cathartic way.
-
The ideal number of sessions and length of time between sessions will be determined by the practitioner and you, the client.
-
Unfortunately no, this is not a service that is covered by insurance companies. Some clients have been able to use the health spending account (a part of an insurance plan) to use towards these services. You may also choose to submit these receipts under medical expenses for your tax returns, however please check with your accountant and the area you live in to verify. There is a movement to getting this type of service covered by insurance companies, so we are hopeful that in the future this will be possible.
-
Anna offers a free phone consult to discuss your health concerns and decide what type of session or treatment options would be best for you. Book in for your complimentary 15 minute phone consult via the booking button.