Somatic Experiencing
A Body Based Approach
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a body-oriented approach to healing trauma and chronic stress. Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, SE is grounded in the understanding that trauma is not just a psychological issue—it lives in the body and the nervous system. Rather than focusing solely on the story of what happened, Somatic Experiencing works with how the body has stored and responded to those experiences.
Dr. Levine developed SE after decades of research into stress physiology, animal behavior, biology, and neuroscience. He observed that wild animals are regularly exposed to life-threatening situations yet rarely become traumatized. They naturally discharge survival energy through physical responses—such as shaking or trembling—which restores their nervous system to balance. Humans, however, often interrupt this process due to fear, shame, or social conditioning. SE helps to complete these thwarted survival responses and restore natural regulation.
SE Touch
​While Somatic Experiencing® can be done completely through verbal guidance, therapeutic touch is sometimes used as a supportive tool within sessions. When appropriate and with full client consent, touch can deepen the work by offering direct support to the nervous system through safe, attuned physical contact. This light touch occurs fully clothed while seated or on a massage table.
Touch in SE is not about manipulation or fixing, but rather about facilitating regulation and helping the body complete interrupted defensive or self-protective responses. It may be used to:
-
Support grounding and containment
-
Offer reassurance and safety to overwhelmed systems
-
Help track and shift subtle physiological patterns (such as tension, holding, or dissociation)
-
Assist with orienting to present-moment sensations in the body
-
Bring awareness to areas that feel numb, disconnected, or frozen
This gentle and respectful use of touch is always guided by the client’s comfort, boundaries, and readiness. It is one of many tools that can enhance the effectiveness of the SE process, especially for clients whose trauma has impacted early attachment, developmental stages, or body-based safety.
For many people, receiving safe touch in a therapeutic setting can be a powerful experience—offering new, reparative experiences of connection, support, and embodiment.