SOMATIC EXPERIENCING
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a form of body psychotherapy developed by Dr. Peter Levine who wrote the book, Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. Based upon the observation that wild prey animals, though threatened routinely, are rarely traumatized due to an innate mechanism that regulates/discharges the high levels of energy arousal associated with defensive survival behaviors thus enabling them to return to normal in the aftermath of highly ''charged'' life-threatening experiences.
Although humans are born with virtually the same regulatory mechanisms as animals, this function is often overridden or inhibited by, among other things, the ''rational'' portion of our brains. This restraint prevents the complete discharge of survival energies, and does not allow the nervous system to regain its equilibrium. The undischarged energy remains in the body, and the nervous system becomes stuck in ''survival mode.'' The various symptoms of trauma result from the body's attempt to ''manage'' and contain this unused energy.
Somatic Experiencing employs the awareness of body sensation to help people ''renegotiate'' and heal their traumas rather than relive them. With appropriate guidance into the body's instinctive ''felt sense,'' individuals are able to access their own built-in immunity to trauma, allowing the highly aroused survival energies to be safely and gradually discharged. When these energies are discharged, people frequently experience a dramatic reduction in or disappearance of their traumatic symptoms.
For more information on Somatic Experiencing, please visit:
Recommended Reading on Somatic Experiencing:
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine
Serving
EMDR Los Angeles * Somatic Experiencing Los Angeles * LA * East Los Angeles * West Los Angeles * San Fernando Valley * SFV * Agoura Hills * Bel-Air * Beverly Hills * Beverlywood * Brentwood * Burbank * Calabasas * Canoga Park * Century City * Chatsworth * Culver City * Encino * Glendale * Granada Hills * Hollywood * Lake Balboa * Malibu * North Hills * North Hollywood * Northridge * Pasadena * Santa Clarita * Santa Monica * Sherman Oaks * Studio City * Sun Valley * Sylmar * Tarzana * Toluca Lake * Universal City * Valencia * Valley Glen * Valley Village * Van Nuys * West Hills * West Hollywood * Westlake Village * Westwood * Woodland Hills *