somatic experiencing
nervous system attunement
Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) is a body-oriented approach designed to support the resolution of stress and trauma held within the nervous system.
The nervous system is constantly communicating. By slowing down and becoming curious about sensations rather than immediately reacting to them, we create the conditions for regulation and resilience.
Rather than trying to fix the body, we learn to listen.
Somatic Experiencing builds upon the foundation of talk therapy by integrating awareness of the body's sensations, nervous system, and patterns of response. Rather than relying on conversation alone, we include the body's experience as an essential part of the healing process.
As the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems come into greater balance, many people experience increased capacity, emotional flexibility, and a renewed sense of safety within themselves.
The body already knows how to heal.
Sometimes it simply needs enough presence for that wisdom to emerge.
What Can Somatic Experiencing® Help With?
Somatic Experiencing® can support healing from a wide range of experiences that affect the nervous system, including:
Trauma and post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
Anxiety and chronic worry
Panic attacks
Chronic stress and burnout
Feeling "stuck" in fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown
Childhood or developmental trauma
Grief and loss
Medical or surgical trauma
Accidents or injuries
Relationship wounds and attachment trauma
Emotional overwhelm
Difficulty regulating emotions
Chronic muscle tension or holding patterns related to stress
Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions
Life transitions and overwhelming experiences
You don't have to have experienced a single traumatic event to benefit from Somatic Experiencing. Many people seek this approach because years of stress, caregiving, difficult relationships, or repeated challenging experiences have left their nervous system feeling overwhelmed.
Somatic Experiencing helps your body rediscover its natural capacity for regulation, resilience, and healing—so you can feel more present, connected, and at ease in your everyday life.