Somatic Experiencing® Therapy (SE Therapy) is a powerful and evidence-based therapeutic approach focused on healing trauma and restoring balance in the nervous system.
Trauma therapy methods available at MICS, including Somatic Experiencing® therapy, address both emotional and physical symptoms. This method has proven effective for treating trauma related stress responses and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
What is Somatic Experiencing® Therapy?
Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing® is a body-based approach to healing trauma. Unlike traditional talk therapy, SE Therapy emphasizes the connection between mind and body, especially how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) responds to traumatic stress. It is rooted in the understanding that trauma is not just an event that happens to us but a physiological response that becomes trapped in the body.
SE Therapy focuses on helping individuals release this trauma by tuning into bodily sensations and allowing the body to complete its natural stress response cycle. This therapeutic process is designed to restore balance to the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems of the ANS, facilitating healing on a deep, somatic level.
The Science Behind Somatic Experiencing®
Traumatic experiences often trigger a physiological defensive reaction. This response, governed by the innate stress system, can result in a freeze, fight, or flight response. When the trauma is overwhelming or prolonged, as in cases of chronic stress or traumatic stress disorders, the nervous system can remain stuck in a heightened state of alert.
Research, including randomized controlled trials, supports the effectiveness of somatic experiencing treatment in reducing post traumatic stress symptoms and improving overall well-being. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned trauma expert, emphasizes the role of the body in healing trauma and highlights SE Therapy as a major interventional strategy for addressing trauma symptoms.
How Does Somatic Experiencing® Work?
SE sessions involve guiding clients to become aware of their internal sensations and physical experiences. The process includes:
- Tracking bodily sensations (also known as interoception)
- Identifying and releasing traumatic memories stored in the body
- Creating new corrective interoceptive experiences
- Helping the client stay grounded during the therapeutic approach
This body psychotherapy method helps clients gradually reprocess trauma without becoming overwhelmed. By focusing on body awareness and the emotional motor system, clients learn to recognize and shift patterns of tension, fear, and emotional pain associated with trauma.
SE Therapy vs. Traditional Talk Therapy
How does somatic therapy differ from traditional talk therapy? While talk therapy engages the cognitive brain, somatic psychotherapy taps into the limbic system and core response network. SE practitioners work with clients to facilitate a direct and intense evocation of trauma-related bodily sensations, offering a pathway to resolve trauma symptoms from the inside out.
This doesn’t mean SE Therapy excludes verbal processing; rather, it integrates it with body awareness to promote a comprehensive healing journey. Clients often report a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms, physical pain, and post traumatic stress symptoms as they progress through somatic practices.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Experiencing®?
Somatic Experiencing® is effective for a wide range of trauma-related disorders and mental disorders, including:
- Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Panic attacks and anxiety symptoms
- Chronic stress and chronic pain
- Depression linked to unresolved trauma
- Physical symptoms with no clear medical explanation
- Traumatic stress resulting from abuse, accidents, or natural disasters
It is also valuable for individuals dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event, including medical trauma, grief, and relational trauma. Many physical therapists and medical doctors collaborate with SE practitioners to help patients overcome physical pain and trauma-related stress responses.
What to Expect in a Somatic Experiencing® Session
In SE sessions at MICS, therapists create a safe and supportive environment for clients to explore their somatic symptoms. Sessions may include:
- Breathing and grounding techniques to build internal awareness
- Gentle movement or touch (when appropriate and with consent)
- Mind-body healing exercises that focus on physical sensations
- Verbal reflection combined with somatic tracking
The therapeutic process is always client-led, meaning the pace and depth are adjusted based on individual readiness and comfort. This ensures that uncomfortable sensations are explored gradually, avoiding re-traumatization.
Integrating SE Therapy at MICS
At Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services, we incorporate somatic experiencing therapy into a broader range of integrative and evidence-based treatment plans. Depending on their needs, clients may combine SE Therapy with:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Our licensed therapists are trained in treating trauma using a variety of modalities that complement the SE therapeutic approach. This flexibility allows us to tailor care for those experiencing trauma symptoms, post traumatic stress disorder, or chronic pain rooted in emotional distress.
The Role of the Nervous System in Trauma Recovery
Understanding how the nervous system functions is essential in healing trauma. The autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, governs the body’s stress response. When we experience a traumatic event, this system can become dysregulated.
Through SE Therapy, clients learn to recognize signs of dysregulation and use tools to restore balance. The aim is not to relive trauma, but to rewire the nervous system by supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. This process of human enrichment allows individuals to feel safe, present, and empowered.
Why Trauma Treatment Matters
The impact of trauma extends beyond mental and emotional suffering; it can manifest as physical symptoms, behavioral issues, and strained relationships. By addressing these symptoms at the root—within the body—SE Therapy offers a powerful route to transformation.
Many clients at MICS report positive outcomes after practicing somatic experiencing. These include improved emotional regulation, reduced PTSD symptoms, better sleep, and the ability to overcome physical pain that once seemed insurmountable.
A Personalized Approach to Healing
Each person’s trauma story is unique, and so is their healing journey. Somatic Experiencing® treatment honors that individuality by focusing on internal sensations and allowing healing to unfold organically. It is a process rooted in respect, patience, and trust in the body’s wisdom.
At MICS, our therapists are here to walk alongside you, providing expert guidance and compassionate care. If you are struggling with post traumatic stress, chronic stress, or seeking support after a traumatic experience, somatic experiencing therapy may be the right path for you.
Get Started with Somatic Experiencing® at MICS
With offices in Manasquan and Brick, NJ, and telehealth services available throughout New Jersey, Monmouth Integrative Counseling Services makes somatic experiencing therapy accessible to clients across the state.
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, contact us today to schedule a consultation and learn more about how somatic experiencing therapy can support your recovery. Your path to restoring balance, easing trauma symptoms, and reclaiming your life starts here.