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Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a neurobiological approach designed to help resolve trauma symptoms and relieve chronic stress. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE uses talk and touch-based techniques, focusing on body sensations and how the nervous system responds to stress. By noticing and tracking these physical responses, SE can help individuals better understand and heal from the lingering effects of trauma.

 

SE has been instrumental in helping people manage trauma for decades, and it emphasizes the importance of working with the body’s natural processes, rather than just the mind, to resolve trauma.

 

How Does the Polyvagal Theory Relate to Somatic Experiencing?

 

Although Dr. Levine developed Somatic Experiencing before the polyvagal theory emerged in 1994, the two are deeply interconnected. The polyvagal theory, introduced by Dr. Stephen Porges, focuses on the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in driving behaviour and reactions to stress. According to this theory, the vagus nerve plays a crucial role in determining whether we perceive safety or threat and influences how connected we feel to ourselves and others.

 

This sense of connection is vital for human well-being, as it helps us self-soothe and manage stress. The polyvagal theory also identifies the body’s physiological responses to trauma, which can help explain why we might feel stuck in survival mode even when we know we’re safe.

Somatic Experiencing works by helping individuals identify and track the sensations associated with these responses in their bodies. By learning to recognize and address these sensations with the guidance of a therapist, individuals can begin to calm their nervous systems and move toward healing.

 

How Can Somatic Experiencing Help Resolve Trauma?

 

Trauma is not just stored in our minds; it is also stored in our bodies. While cognitive therapies can help us understand trauma intellectually, they often fall short of fully resolving the physical impact trauma has on the body. Trauma responses—such as hypervigilance, fear, or anxiety—come from the brain’s survival mechanisms, which operate faster and more profoundly than our conscious thoughts.

 

For example, you may know that a situation like bungee jumping is safe, yet still feel overwhelming fear. This is because your body and brain process danger signals at different speeds, and the body often reacts more quickly to potential threats than the mind can register.

Somatic Experiencing addresses this by engaging the vagus nerve, which plays a central role in regulating the nervous system. Through SE, you can work with the nervous system’s natural rhythms—learning to move between states of arousal (stress) and calm. Over time, this practice helps restore resilience and balance, allowing you to feel safe and grounded.

 

Why Does My Body Feel Traumatized When My Brain Knows I’m Safe?

 

Even after a traumatic event has ended, the body may remain stuck in the survival responses that initially helped you cope with the danger. Your brain might recognize that you’re no longer in danger, but your body can continue reacting as if the threat is real. This mismatch is why some people feel constantly on edge, experience startling responses, or remain hypervigilant in everyday situations.

 

The unresolved trauma becomes imprinted in the nervous system, causing your body to live in a constant state of defence. Somatic Experiencing helps release this trapped survival energy, allowing the body to realize that the trauma is over. Once the body returns to a state of safety, it can align with the mind, and healing can begin.

 

Start Your Healing Journey

 

At London Trauma Therapy, we integrate trauma-informed approaches like Somatic Experiencing to help individuals heal from trauma. Our therapists are committed to walking alongside you on your journey toward recovery.