What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing, created by Dr. Peter Levine, perceives trauma as an overwhelming event that becomes lodged in the body when our capacity to fully live through it is compromised. It underscores the necessity for healing by tapping into the innate wisdom of the body. Traumatic experiences embed themselves deeply within us, expressing through physical sensations, emotions, and movement patterns. Frequently, these unresolved traumas linger beneath conscious awareness, evading traditional talk therapies.
Somatic Experiencing recognizes that these memories are encoded in our very cells, shaping our perceptions, beliefs, and responses in the present moment. Through cultivating a safe therapeutic environment, where trust between client and therapist is paramount, the unconscious mind can begin to reveal these buried traumas, paving the way for healing and integration. Utilizing mindfulness techniques, clients are gently guided to access, process, and transform old wounds, facilitating profound healing.
Like nested dolls, Somatic Experiencing delves into the layers of trauma, addressing both overt traumatic events and the subtler, yet equally impactful, forms of childhood trauma that shape our lives.
Who is it for?
Somatic Experiencing is suitable for individuals who can attune to their body’s sensations and emotions. By quieting the analytical mind and cultivating presence with bodily experiences moment by moment, profound healing can occur without the need to endlessly revisit distressing narratives.
Somatic Experiencing offers a pathway to release trauma, restore resilience, and reclaim a sense of wholeness.
How long is a Somatic Experiencing session?
Sessions typically last between 50 and 60 minutes, depending on the therapist.
Is My Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Therapist Properly Qualified?
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Therapists have completed a full professional counselling and psychotherapy training.
Additionally, they have either completed, or are on their way to complete, the full Somatic Experiencing Practitioner Professional Training that is accredited by the European Association for Somatic Experiencing and Somatic Experiencing International®.
They are also associates or accredited members of the main professional associations in Ireland.
