Somatic Therapy

Somatic Experiencing, SE, is a specific, structured, body-oriented modality developed by Dr. Peter Levine to treat trauma by releasing stored nervous system tension. 

Somatic therapy is the broader, umbrella term for any therapy that incorporates bodily sensations such as yoga, dance, Hakomi, into mental health treatment. 

SE is a type of somatic therapy.  

Key Differences and Similarities: 

Scope: Somatic therapy includes various approaches including SE, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and sometime even, dance therapy.

Somatic Experiencing, SE is a specific, specialized method for trauma recovery. 

Somatic Therapy Focus: Both focus on connecing the client's body back to their mind, in ways of listening to our bodies for cues, messages. 

Somatic Experiencing, SE Techniques: SE focuses on tracking internal bodily sensations such as sensation-tracking; titration, breaking down traumatic memories into small, manageable pieces; and pendulation, moving through trauma in our body and reprocessing trauma to neurological and biologically reconnect pathways for feelings of safety versus persistently being triggered by trauma. 

Somatic Experiencing Goal: Somatic Experiencing SE aims to treat defensive responses fight, flight, or freeze, that were stuck during a trauma, allowing the nervous system to regain regulation.  

Somatic Experiencing is a Gold Standard method and best therapy approach to treat specific trauma,s PTSD, developmental traumas, and intense nervous system dysregulation such as severe panic attacks or freezing during confrontation, for example. 

Somatic Therapy General: Suitable for building overall body awareness, managing emotional stress, and holistic wellness.  

Selected References

Hawa, R. (2021). Somatic symptom and related disorders [PowerPoint slides]. Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto.

Pavisian, B., Kohrman, S. I., Ho, P. A., & Rustad, J. K. (2024). ACLP how to guide: Somatic symptom disorder. Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry.