Somatic Experiencing^® (SETM) is a body-oriented therapeutic approach designed to help you process and heal from trauma by working directly with your nervous system. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, SETM is rooted in the understanding that trauma is not just a psychological wound but also a physiological one. When you experience overwhelming stress or traumatic events, your body can get stuck in survival states of fight, flight, or freeze. SETM helps gently release these trapped survival responses, restoring balance and resilience to your nervous system.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, which primarily engages the cognitive mind, SETM taps into your body’s innate ability to heal. It recognizes that trauma is stored in the body, and healing requires engaging with physical sensations, movement, and nervous system regulation. This approach supports you in building a greater capacity for resilience, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.

My Journey With Somatic Experiencing^®

Somatic-oriented therapies have been a cornerstone of both my personal healing and professional growth, helping me bridge the gap between my mind and body. As I deepened my awareness, my thoughts became clearer, my emotions more accessible, and my sense of self more grounded than ever before. It became undeniable—this work wasn’t just transformative for me; it was something I wanted to offer others on their healing journeys.

Today, as a fully trained Somatic Experiencing^® Practitioner (SEPTM), I have dedicated years to mastering this modality. Certification requires an extensive three-year training program, which includes:

• 216 hours of formal training
• Hands-on practice
• 12 personal sessions
• 18 hours of case consultations

Beyond certification, I continue to assist with SETM trainings, expanding my knowledge and supporting fellow practitioners in integrating this powerful approach into their work. I also provide consultation for practitioners working on their SETM certification.

Somatic Experiencing® has fundamentally transformed the way I move through life. Instead of pushing through, I now have a toolkit of holistic techniques that support both myself and my clients. In relationships, I experience deeper connections. I can fully recognize and honor my own emotions and needs without losing myself in the expectations of others. I feel a renewed sense of self—present, whole, and grounded.

Through my work, I’ve witnessed the profound impact SETM has on clients struggling with trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic stress. It offers a path to healing that is both gentle and deeply effective—one that honors the body’s wisdom and restores a sense of safety and self-trust

How Somatic Experiencing^® Views Trauma and Healing

SETM approaches trauma through the lens of the nervous system. Rather than focusing solely on the story of what happened, SETM prioritizes how the body has held onto and adapted to that experience. This perspective shifts trauma treatment from reliving distressing memories to gently renegotiating them, creating space for healing and integration.

Key principles of SETM include:

• Pendulation: Moving between states of activation (stress) and regulation (safety) to build nervous system capacity.
• Titration: Processing small, manageable pieces of trauma rather than overwhelming the system.
• Resource Building: Identifying internal and external sources of safety and support.
• Completion of Survival Responses: Allowing the body to release stuck fight, flight, or freeze energy in a controlled and supportive way.

By addressing trauma in this way, SETM helps individuals develop a greater sense of embodiment, emotional resilience, and nervous system flexibility.

The Role of the Nervous System in Trauma Recovery

Our nervous system constantly scans for cues of safety or threat—a process known as neuroception. When trauma occurs, this system can become dysregulated, leading to chronic anxiety, dissociation, hypervigilance, or shutdown. SETM works directly with these nervous system states to restore a felt sense of safety and regulation.

For example, someone who has experienced prolonged stress may find themselves frequently in a state of hyperarousal—feeling on edge, easily startled, or unable to relax. Somatic Experiencing® helps by introducing small, titrated experiences of safety, allowing the nervous system to recalibrate over time. Conversely, for individuals stuck in a shutdown or dissociative state, SETM gently reintroduces sensations of aliveness and engagement without overwhelming the system.

By working at the level of the nervous system, SETM provides a foundation for deep and lasting healing, offering clients a way to move forward at their own pace without re-traumatization.

Who Can Benefit from Somatic Experiencing^®?

SETM is a highly adaptable approach that can benefit individuals dealing with:

• PTSD and trauma-related symptoms
• Anxiety and chronic stress
• Depression and emotional numbness
• Chronic pain and physical tension
• Difficulty with boundaries and emotional regulation
• Overwhelming emotions or feeling “stuck”

Because SETM is a gentle and non-pathologizing approach, it can be especially helpful for individuals who feel that traditional talk therapy has not fully addressed their trauma or nervous system dysregulation.

Somatic Experiencing^® Training and Consultation for Providers

In addition to working with clients, I offer consultation sessions for therapists and providers interested in integrating somatic approaches into their practice. Understanding how to work with the nervous system can significantly enhance therapeutic outcomes, offering clients deeper healing and regulation.

If you’re a provider looking to incorporate somatic techniques into your practice or you’re working on your SEPTM certification and need case consultation, I’d love to support you. You can schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if we’re a good fit and find out more about how we can work together. 

Somatic Practice: Orienting

I’d like to share one of the foundational practices of SETM with you. Orienting is a simple yet powerful way to engage the nervous system with the present moment. This practice helps you shift your body out of a survival state and into a sense of safety and connection.

How to Practice Orienting:

1. Find a Comfortable Space: Sit or stand in a place where you feel safe and at ease.
2. Look Around Slowly: Gently move your head and eyes to take in your surroundings. Notice colors, shapes, textures, and objects in the space.
3. Notice What Feels Pleasant or Neutral: Allow your attention to land on something that feels soothing, interesting, or even just neutral.
4. Tune into Your Body: Observe any shifts in your breath, muscles, or overall sense of presence as you look around.
5. Take Your Time: Spend a few moments allowing yourself to settle into this state of awareness and continue slowly inhaling and exhaling. 

This practice can be done anytime, especially when feeling anxious or disconnected. It helps the nervous system register safety and can be a valuable tool for grounding and self-regulation.

Work With a Certified Somatic Experiencing^® Practitioner

Somatic Experiencing^® offers a profound yet gentle path toward healing trauma and restoring nervous system balance. By working with the body’s wisdom, SETM provides a way to move beyond trauma stories and into a felt sense of safety and self-trust. If you’d like to explore SETM for yourself or learn more about integrating it into your therapy practice, reach out for a consultation. 

Your body holds the wisdom to heal and I’ll help you tap into it. 

Sources

Brom, D., et al. “Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study.” Journal of Traumatic Stress, June 30, 2017. Accessed March 6, 2025. 

Somatic Experiencing International. “About.” Somatic Experiencing® International. Accessed March 6, 2025.