Somatic Experiencing Sessions
Somatic Experiencing Sessions
I offer Somatic Experiencing sessions as a practitioner in training at Intermediate Level. Feel free to read more about me, my training and my approach here.
My Somatic Experiencing sessions might be right for you IF YOU…
- are experiencing symptoms of chronic stress or trauma;
- have tried talk therapy but feel the need to work with the body.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented modality that underpins all the work that I do. It’s a powerful trauma healing intervention based on the understanding of our nervous system and the physiology of trauma.
Dr Peter Levine, who developed this method, spent years studying stress on the animal nervous system. He realized that wild animals are constantly under threat of death yet show no trauma symptoms. And what he discovered was that trauma has to do with the survival response to perceived life threat. So if this response doesn’t complete, then that charge that is generated for our survival stays trapped in our bodies. And, from the body’s perspective, it is still under threat.
The Somatic Experiencing method works to release this stored energy from the body. And it turns off this threat alarm through a “body first” approach to healing.
Learn more about your body, nervous system and trauma in my free online course Introduction to Trauma-Informed Somatics.
What to expect from my Somatic Experiencing sessions?
As a somatic practitioner, I work with the nervous system primarily through the body. And this is how the magic and transformation happen in my sessions. Sensing and noticing what is happening inside requires patience, and sometimes courage. Also, at times, it may feel awkward. So my job is to help to navigate whatever arises and gently guide you on this journey towards physical and emotional release and transformation.
What will the sessions be like?
To start with, we’ll use body awareness tools and physical exercises to help you settle, ground and find resources. As we proceed to work through difficult emotions, sensations or situations in a very gradual and titrated way, we’ll keep revisiting these resources. This back and forth process in Somatic Experiencing is called pendulation – it follows the flow of the nervous system. So we’ll move between activation and settling to help you come out of the fixated state caused by stress or trauma.
It’s a very organic and gentle process of working with whatever arises in the present moment. First, noticing it in your body and then allowing it to release. But instead of diving right into the core of trauma, we’ll be approaching it from the periphery. And the goal is to help you find a felt sense of relief and ease before we take a step deeper. Thus building resilience one step at a time.
During a Somatic Experiencing session, it’s common to experience a release of energy or emotional discharge. This is a sign of completion of a stress response cycle. And often you’ll feel lighter and more relaxed after the session.
What symptoms of chronic stress and trauma I can help with:
- Difficulty calming down, managing emotions and overwhelm
- Difficulty setting boundaries
- Feeling stuck
- Feeling numb or disconnected from the body
- High sensitivity
- Sleep issues and insomnia
- Psychosomatic symptoms, tension and fatigue
Some categories of trauma I work with:
Birth trauma, falls, medical trauma, surgeries, motor vehicle accidents, near-drowning, physical attack, sexual trauma.
What I offer in my Somatic Experiencing sessions:
- Safe space to explore, navigate and release strong emotions
- Support in regulating /balancing the nervous system
- Tools and information on how you can self-regulate
- Help in finding your ground and reconnecting with yourself
- Help in releasing physical blocks and tension so you can feel more at home in your body
Please note: I’m not a medical professional, licensed psychologist or trauma therapist. So I don’t give medical or psychological advice, treatment or diagnosis. Also, I don’t offer counselling support as this is beyond the scope of my practice.
Would you like to have sessions with me?
I’m based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and offer Somatic Experiencing sessions online.
Cost:
210 USD for a package of 3 sessions.
You can schedule your first short session with me to see if it’s a good fit. In this session you’ll get to experience the somatic process and ask any questions you may have!