Somatic Experiencing®
What Is Somatic Experiencing®?
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a body-oriented approach to healing trauma and stress that emphasizes how distressing events become stored in the nervous system and body. Unlike therapies that focus primarily on thoughts or emotions, SE works with the body’s natural self-regulation processes to resolve symptoms of stress, shock, and trauma that can accumulate physically and neurologically (Somatic Experiencing International [SEI], n.d.; see also Somatic therapy descriptions).
From the SE perspective, when a person experiences an overwhelming event, the nervous system may remain in a heightened state of fight, flight, or freeze activation. SE aims to release this trapped stress and restore balance in the nervous system, allowing individuals to regulate emotions and reengage with life more fully. SE can help individuals release chronic tension, increase resiliency, and enhance overall well-being.
How SE Works
SE practitioners guide clients to notice and track internal bodily sensations, such as tension, temperature shifts, or subtle movements — rather than focusing on detailed discussion of traumatic memories. This somatic awareness provides a path toward completing physiological responses that were interrupted during past stress or trauma. By supporting the nervous system to complete these cycles, individuals can reduce the impact of trauma-related symptoms without becoming overwhelmed.
This approach often involves:
Tracking Sensations: Clients mindfully observe physical sensations that arise during sessions.
Titration: Gradually working with trauma-related sensations in small, manageable increments to prevent flooding or overwhelm.
Resourcing: Identifying internal and external resources that promote safety and stability.
Completion of Defensive Responses: Allowing physiological impulses that were halted during the original traumatic event to be resolved, reducing dysregulation.
By focusing “bottom-up” (starting with the body’s physiological experience and nervous system regulation ) SE can help the body reestablish equilibrium and enhance emotional resilience.
What SE Can Help With
Somatic Experiencing® has been applied to a diverse range of trauma and stress-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress reactions, chronic stress, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation. Because SE addresses how stress is physically held in the body, it offers a complementary perspective to traditional talk-based therapies.
Clients often report:
Reduced physical tension and pain
Improved emotional regulation
Greater sense of safety and grounding in the body
Enhanced capacity to manage stress and triggers
These outcomes are consistent with the overall goals of SE: restoring natural regulation, increasing resilience, and releasing trauma that the nervous system continues to hold.
Evidence and Research
While Somatic Experiencing® has been practiced for decades and continues to gain visibility, research on its effectiveness is evolving. Preliminary studies and clinical reports suggest promising effects on trauma symptoms and overall well-being, though more large-scale, randomized controlled trials are needed to fully establish its evidence base. SEI actively supports research initiatives to expand the scientific understanding of SE and its clinical applications.
References
Somatic Experiencing International. (n.d.). SE 101: Somatic Experiencing® basics. https://traumahealing.org/se-101/
Somatic Experiencing International. (n.d.). About SE. https://traumahealing.org/about/
Somatic therapy descriptions and applications. (2025). Somatic therapies and trauma healing. https://www.mosaiccare.com/blog/somatic-therapies
