Somatic Experiencing®: Helping Your Nervous System Find Its Flexibility
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a gentle, body-centered approach to healing stress and trauma, developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, who holds doctorates in medical biophysics and psychology. Dr. Levine noticed that animals in the wild face danger regularly yet rarely carry lasting trauma. After the threat passes, their bodies shake, breathe deeply, and settle. He came to believe that people are built to move through stress in a similar way, and that this natural cycle can get interrupted when an experience is too big, too fast, or too much to process at the time.
Why nervous system flexibility matters
A healthy nervous system isn't one that never feels stress. It's one that can move fluidly between states: energized when you need to act, alert when something matters, and calm when it's time to rest and connect. For many high-performing people, that flexibility narrows. You may be stuck in overdrive, unable to slow down, or feeling flat and disconnected when you want to be present with the people you care about.
SE helps your body relearn that range. Instead of asking you to relive painful memories in detail, we pay attention to what's happening in the present moment: sensations, impulses, breath, and tension. We move slowly and in small steps so your system can build capacity without becoming overwhelmed.
Why I practice this way
I came to this work after I noticed a plateau in my own therapeutic work. I was searching for a way to trust my body again after an overwhelming and disconnecting trauma response left me unable to be physically intimate with my partner. While I was able to cognitively make the connection between my trauma response and past experiences, nothing changed. Going through the SE training helped me regain trust and agency with my defensive responses leading to a more compassionate and embodied self.
Many of the people I work with are thoughtful, accomplished, and deeply self-aware. They can explain exactly why they struggle with closeness, and still find themselves repeating the same patterns. Insight matters, but it often isn't enough on its own. I practice SE because it works with the part of us that thinking alone can't reach: the body, where those patterns live and where change can begin.
What your first session looks like
Starting therapy can feel like a big step, especially if you're used to being the one with all the answers. Here's what to expect:
Getting to know you. We'll talk about what brings you in, what you'd like to be different, and what your life and relationships look like now. You decide how much to share, and you don't need to tell me the details of anything painful.
Checking in about pace and comfort. I'll ask about what helps you feel safe and steady, and we'll agree that you can slow down or pause at any time.
Noticing your body. I may invite you to notice sensations, such as your breath, your posture, or a sense of tension or ease. There's no right answer, and "I don't feel much" is useful information too.
Trying a small experiment. Depending on the session, we might explore a moment of calm, a supportive resource, or a gentle shift in attention, just to see how your system responds.
Closing with care. We'll take time to settle before you leave, so you're walking out of the room with agency and choice.
Sessions are 50-55 minutes by telehealth. Many people find that the first session feels quieter and more spacious than they expected.
Ready to start?
If you're curious about SE or wondering whether it's a fit, I am happy to answer your questions.