My personal work with Somatic Experiencing was so groundbreaking for me that I really wanted to start the training. I was finally able to regain access to feelings and events that I had thought had been buried and put the missing pieces of the puzzle together to form a whole.
Somatic Experiencing®
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a treatment method that focuses on the physical and emotional aspects of stressful experiences. It offers those affected a protected space in which they can process their experiences in a respectful environment and improve their quality of life. SE promotes the body’s natural self-regulation and self-healing and has proven to be particularly effective in trauma therapy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other challenging situations. Even seemingly less impactful experiences, for example in childhood, can have deep emotional impact.
Some key principles and concepts that make up SE
Body orientation
Titration
Resource orientation
Embodiment and empowerment
For which health problems can Somatic Experiencing be helpful?
The consequences of stressful experiences can be manifold. SE helps to process them and reduce their impact on the body and nervous system. Somatic Experiencing can be supportive for a variety of problems and mental health conditions.
SE is often used to help people with PTSD who are suffering from the effects of often repeated traumatic events in their lives. The method can help to process such severe memories step by step at a pace that is appropriate for you, and to alleviate the symptoms.
SE is very helpful in processing overwhelming experiences in your life. I can support you in being able to look at such complex experiences in smaller, easily digestible sequences without feeling overwhelmed again. Such events can be injustices and conflicts, e.g. at work, accidents, violent experiences, natural disasters…
Past, unprocessed incisions in life can lead to problematic relationships with other people. Such experiences often overlap with current life and relationships with other people. The more these entanglements and confusions are resolved, the more freedom, clarity, intimacy, joy etc. take place in your life.
Some chronic symptoms, such as unexplained pain or physical tension, migraines and bowel problems can be directly attributable to traumatic moments.
Somatic Experiencing helps with improved handling of overwhelming feelings and stressful life situations, such as separation, grief, existential crises…
Somatic Experiencing deals with the physical sensations that a fearful experience has triggered. It supports the body’s natural processes of self-regulation and enables safe processing of such experiences
Many people expand how they deal with depressive moods and develop a variety of new behaviours that widens their spectrum of freedom.
Working with SE can be helpful in processing birth experiences or early childhood developmental disorders in children as well as adults.
How does a Somatic Experiencing session work?
Normally we sit opposite each other during our conversations and I guide you through your process asking questions to help you organize your experiences and look at them from a different perspective. I offer you a safe space and accompany you in regaining access to your physical perceptions and feelings, which have often been buried for years. Often you can then free yourself from old identifications and recognize connections. Sometimes I also use therapeutic touch to make it easier for you to access your body sensations.
Each process is individually different and is based on your own needs and what it takes to fully develop your own potential.
Is Somatic Experiencing also possible online?
I have had very good experiences with online sessions. Many clients even see it as a great advantage to work with me from home. They can feel safe in the privacy and familiarity of their own environment.
Especially in life situations where it is not possible to travel long distances, an online session is of great value. As a rule, we arrange an appointment to which I then invite you promptly by e-mail with the appropriate link. Such a session usually lasts one hour and can be extended if necessary.