Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing® was developed by Dr Peter Levine, founder of the Somatic Experiencing® International in USA. In Somatic Experiencing®, we consider the mind and body in its entirety and use the nervous system as a holistic resource to help ground and regulate when processing trauma. Trauma can be stored in the body from interrupted fight and flight responses. By taking the client’s needs and comfort levels as a lead, we guide them to complete the stress response cycle, releasing them from the cycle of trauma. By processing trauma at a deeper level, we are less likely to get as activated the next time we are exposed to the stimuli and are better able to stay within the window of tolerance.

“Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness.”
— Dr Peter A Levine

Somatic Experiencing® can help with any of the following:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Lack of motivation, feeling stuck

  • Sleep issues

  • Nightmares

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome

  • Stress

  • Relationship or family related stress

  • Trauma from an isolated incident

  • Complex trauma from small microaggressions over an extended period

  • Physical, emotional, sexual abuse

  • Disability stress

  • Minority stress

  • Transitions and sudden life changes

  • Attachment issues

  • Developmental trauma

  • Medical trauma

  • Other psychosomatic issues

 

Tiny World, in watercolour

Somatic Experiencing for Autistic and/or ADHDers

Somatic Experiencing® is a form of bottom-up processing that can help many neurodivergent people such as Autistic people or ADHDers. By bottom-up processing, we pay attention to what our body is telling us as a sign for what to do next. This is the opposite from top-down processing, where we listen to the mind’s instructions to tell the body what to do. As neurodivergent people often need to change their ways of being to fit into society, bottom-up processing allows them to honour their senses and feelings for a change instead of ignoring them. If some channels such as emotions or sensation are difficult for some people to notice due to Alexithymia or interoceptive differences, we can use other channels like image, movement, or vocalisation, to help in the trauma therapy. Top-down methods can feel counter-intuitive to neurodivergent people who may already struggle with executive functioning and emotional regulation, and bottom-up processing through Somatic Experiencing® can help with that. PDA, Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy, may also be a common experience for many neurodivergent people which makes top-down processing harder in modalities such as counselling. Somatic Experiencing can help you learn what your body needs, and what we do next will be informed by that.

Somatic Experiencing FAQ

How is Somatic Experiencing® carried out in a session?

Somatic Experiencing® will be integrated into the session, be it with talk or art therapy. At times, the therapist might invite you to notice what you are sensing or feeling in your body, or if any images are coming up. At other times, the therapist might ask if there is any movement, words, or sounds your body feels like making. It is always invitational, so you can always say no or tell the therapist if you are not comfortable with it. The therapist might also do some psychoeducation to let you know more about your nervous system and what can be done to help you feel better.

Can we do Somatic Experiencing® online?

If you are able to have therapy online, then Somatic Experiencing® can be done online. What we need are a safe and private space for you to have the session, a stable internet connection and a device such as computer with web camera or smart phone. We regret that for clients who are at a risk of not being able to keep themselves safe from harm during and after the session, online sessions would not be suitable and would recommend in-person sessions at our central Sydney office.