A Gentle Body-Based Therapy
Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is a gentle, body-based approach to healing that helps release the stress and trauma that can get "stuck" in your nervous system. Instead of just talking through what happened, SE works with your body's natural ability to recover, helping you move out of patterns like anxiety, overwhelm, numbness, or feeling constantly on edge — and toward a greater sense of calm, safety, and resilience.
SE is grounded in decades of research and clinical experience, developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine and used by practitioners across many fields, from therapy and medicine to bodywork and coaching. Whether you're working through a specific traumatic experience, the effects of chronic stress, or patterns that started earlier in life, SE offers a compassionate, effective path forward — one that honors both your mind and your body. You don't have to relive what happened to heal from it; SE gently supports your nervous system in finding its way back to balance, so you can feel more grounded, present, and at ease in your daily life.
SE is grounded in decades of research and clinical experience, developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine and used by practitioners across many fields, from therapy and medicine to bodywork and coaching. Whether you're working through a specific traumatic experience, the effects of chronic stress, or patterns that started earlier in life, SE offers a compassionate, effective path forward — one that honors both your mind and your body. You don't have to relive what happened to heal from it; SE gently supports your nervous system in finding its way back to balance, so you can feel more grounded, present, and at ease in your daily life.
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Begins with grounding exercises to orient to what sensations are occurring in the body that day. |
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We work with sensations we uncover in the body linked with thoughts, feelings, or events from our lives. |
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We allow the nervous to lead the way as we track these inner sensations and use various methods to move through them. |
My approach to Somatic Experiencing®
I bring a curious and compassionate approach to my SE sessions. I firmly believe that everybody has the capacity to heal themselves and that happiness is our birthright. My goal is to hold space for clients as they navigate their healing journeys at a pace that is right for them. I will not, nor can I, diagnose clients with anything or interpret a client's experiences for them. I draw upon my years as a bodyworker and yoga teacher, as well as my experiences with qi gong, meditation, and studying Taoism and may share the ways I have benefitted from them.
My SE™ sessions are guided by the capacity of the client’s nervous system. This allows us to gently explore different sensations in the body and notice what happens as we track them through stages of activation and deactivation. The goal is to allow the nervous system the time and space it needs to return a well-regulated state. We may work with specific trauma and traumatic events as well general stress, anxiety, or explore physical pain and discomfort that doesn't have an obvious medical cause.
These sessions are not intended to replace work with a licensed mental health professional but as a way for clients to get to know their nervous system better and feel more at home in their bodies.
My SE™ sessions are guided by the capacity of the client’s nervous system. This allows us to gently explore different sensations in the body and notice what happens as we track them through stages of activation and deactivation. The goal is to allow the nervous system the time and space it needs to return a well-regulated state. We may work with specific trauma and traumatic events as well general stress, anxiety, or explore physical pain and discomfort that doesn't have an obvious medical cause.
These sessions are not intended to replace work with a licensed mental health professional but as a way for clients to get to know their nervous system better and feel more at home in their bodies.
THE DETAILS
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VIRTUAL
Sessions can be done online via Zoom just as effectively as in person sessions. In fact, all of my trainings so far have been online, and this has positioned me well to conduct sessions online. Please contact me via the form on my contact page to set up an initial Zoom call to make sure we are a good fit to work together. IN-PERSON Some clients may be interested in doing SE™sessions in person. These sessions will be offered at my regular bodywork rates and may include light, supportive touch as well as other dialoging techniques like Heart Centered Therapy if it is appropriate. I will add a separate option for booking these sessions. In the meantime, please feel free to let me know that you are interested in this work when you arrive for your session. PRICING Virtual and in-person sessions are $110/hr |
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FAQs
What is Somatic Experiencing®
Somatic Experiencing® is a gentle, body-orientated approach to resolving symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma that accumulate in our bodies and nervous systems. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE helps us identify when we are stuck in patterns of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn and then release these patterns allowing us to recover and gain resiliency. What makes SE different from talk-based forms of therapy is its emphasis on the physiological effects of stress and trauma. Traditional talk therapy privileges cognitive and emotional experiences while SE focuses on physical responses and patterns.
Somatic Experiencing® is a gentle, body-orientated approach to resolving symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma that accumulate in our bodies and nervous systems. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SE helps us identify when we are stuck in patterns of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn and then release these patterns allowing us to recover and gain resiliency. What makes SE different from talk-based forms of therapy is its emphasis on the physiological effects of stress and trauma. Traditional talk therapy privileges cognitive and emotional experiences while SE focuses on physical responses and patterns.
Benefits of Somatic Experiencing®
SE is great for addressing a range of issues we experience as humans. It can help process unresolved trauma, relieve chronic anxiety or stress, and alleviate physical tension or pain that does not have a clear medical cause. SE can also help us establish better boundaries, stay present in stressful situations, and increase our capacity to self-regulate. Ultimately, it helps us to be more present in the here and now and to be more fully at home in our bodies.
SE is great for addressing a range of issues we experience as humans. It can help process unresolved trauma, relieve chronic anxiety or stress, and alleviate physical tension or pain that does not have a clear medical cause. SE can also help us establish better boundaries, stay present in stressful situations, and increase our capacity to self-regulate. Ultimately, it helps us to be more present in the here and now and to be more fully at home in our bodies.
What to expect in a Somatic Experiencing® session
SE sessions will begin with a grounding exercise to orient to what sensations are occurring in the body that day. In this initial phase we will work on building stability and finding resources, both internal and external. From there we can work with sensations we uncover in the body or with specific content - thoughts, feelings, or events from our lives. Somatic Experiencing® does not require a client to retell or relive past events and there is no pressure to do so. We allow the nervous to lead the way and move at a pace that works within the capacity of the client in that moment. As we track these inner sensations I may suggest gentle movements or exercises from my SE training. When appropriate, I might also draw upon my training in Heart Centered Therapy and study of parts work therapies to help deepen the client's experience or move through stuck points. Clients are also encouraged to follow the inherent wisdom of their body, whether that means allowing for certain movements or sounds, assuming various positions including laying down or standing up, or simply moments of stillness and reflection.
SE sessions will begin with a grounding exercise to orient to what sensations are occurring in the body that day. In this initial phase we will work on building stability and finding resources, both internal and external. From there we can work with sensations we uncover in the body or with specific content - thoughts, feelings, or events from our lives. Somatic Experiencing® does not require a client to retell or relive past events and there is no pressure to do so. We allow the nervous to lead the way and move at a pace that works within the capacity of the client in that moment. As we track these inner sensations I may suggest gentle movements or exercises from my SE training. When appropriate, I might also draw upon my training in Heart Centered Therapy and study of parts work therapies to help deepen the client's experience or move through stuck points. Clients are also encouraged to follow the inherent wisdom of their body, whether that means allowing for certain movements or sounds, assuming various positions including laying down or standing up, or simply moments of stillness and reflection.
