As a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), my practice is informed by Somatic Experiencing (SE), one form of body-mind therapy that was developed as an approach to trauma-healing. When the energy that was generated in order to deal with a stressful, fearful, or traumatic situation is not used, that energy may retain a lasting effect on the nervous system and can lead to symptoms associated with trauma, anxiety, depression and physical distress. SE is applicable to the treatment of these conditions and works to assist clients in allowing their bodies to reestablish harmonious relationships with innate healing capacities.
SEPs understand the intimate interactions between body and mind while acknowledging an underlying unity. A dysregulated nervous system--and associated emotional dysregulation--has corresponding sensations that can be worked with once one learns to observe sensations without suppressing or avoiding them. With awareness one can reprocess or, as Peter Levine calls it, "renegotiate" the trauma.
Dr. Peter Levine, developer of SE, notes that in order to best understand the patient's body narrative, the therapist must be intimately familiar with his own body. Dr. Levine certifies Somatic Experiencing Practitioners, like me, only after three years of training with The Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. He says, “It is not that it takes that long to learn the material, but that the integration of the material takes time." The Somatic Experiencing Practitioner has personally taken the time to do the work. If traumatic stress is related to your anxiety or depression chances are that I, or another Somatic Experiencing Practicioner, can help.
