Somatic Experiencing: A New Approach to Healing Trauma
A few months ago I attended an all-day seminar presented by Peter Levine (in photo at left), the creator of Somatic Experiencing (SE), a short-term, naturalistic approach to the resolution and healing of trauma.
I’m excited about this approach — it resonates with me.
Basically SE helps people get in touch with and harness the body’s innate capacity to heal itself from trauma.
What is trauma? Therapist Pia Mellody defines trauma as anything that’s less than nurturing. Based on that definition, most of us have experienced trauma (and still experience trauma from time to time).
According to Levine, when we experience trauma, our bodies respond by activating survival energy. When this energy is not fully discharged and integrated, it remains frozen (or trapped) in our nervous system, where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and minds.
Levine’s SE approach enables the frozen response to thaw, move ahead in time and then complete, healing the trauma (and alleviating traumatic symptoms).
If you’re interested in learning more about SE, I highly recommend Levine’s book Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. Also, check out Levine’s website, TraumaHealing.com. If you’re a parent, I encourage you to check out Levine’s newest book, Trauma-Proofing Your Kids, which I plan to read soon.
June 20th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Let’s talk trauma. I went bathing suit shopping today with three kids in the dressing room with me. Let’s just say, the comments were colorful.
I could create file of things you suggest reading … but I’ll still pick a “beach book” instead.
Bring on the fluff!
June 24th, 2008 at 10:14 am
AAAAAAANNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDYYYYYYYYY! How are you? Thanks for the great summary of Levine. Good stuff! What’s happening? Wanna meet up at David’s and chill one afternoon when I get off work? I’m going to see Ani wednesday night at Humphrey’s by the bay! So excited and I might just take Thursday off. let me know if you want to get tea and crumpets darling!
June 25th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Laurie, HAAAA! Oh man, imagining that scene in the dressing room … that needs to be in a sit-com, or at least on YouTube! Great stuff!
If you read a “beach book” that you really, really like, let me know … I need some “beach” reading for balance!
Oh, by the way, I just read Augusten Burroughs’ “Running With Scissors” and it was fantastic! Very funny and crazy and provocative.
http://www.amazon.com/Running-Scissors-Memoir-Augusten-Burroughs/dp/0312938853/
Blessings,
A
June 25th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Gena, hey, Sista, let’s play. Up for building a sand sculpture (ha) at Coronado? Let me know what works for ya.
Enjoy Ani tonight!
Blessings,
A