SE Initial Appointment - 75 min.
Description
Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, designed to help people heal from trauma and other stress-related disorders. SE™ is non-invasive and it’s based on the idea that trauma is stored in the body, not just in the mind. It focuses on bodily sensations rather than solely on thoughts and emotions. It avoids direct and intense exposure of traumatic memories, instead approaching them indirectly and very gradually. This is accomplished by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions, building their capacity for containment and resilience. Trauma may begin as acute stress from a perceived life-threat or as the end product of cumulative stress. Both types of stress can seriously impair a person’s ability to function with resilience and ease, and to live in the here-and-now. Trauma may result from a wide variety of stressors such as accidents, invasive medical procedures, sexual or physical assault, emotional abuse, neglect, war, racial discrimination, oppression, natural disasters, loss, birth trauma, or the corrosive stressors of ongoing fear, conflict, and chronic shaming. SE™ helps restore the authentic self with self-regulation, relaxation, wholeness, and aliveness. During the first visit we’ll review the intake form together and chat about what your goals are for your healing journey. Then we’ll proceed to treatment which can sometimes be done comfortably seated and sometimes it involves a hands-on approach, where you can lay down fully clothed and relax. We will decide together what the best approach for you is, every time.
