Somatic Experiencing
Memories | Body | Sensations
Somatic Experiencing
Through a gentle combination of body awareness, memories, and therapeutic conversation, Somatic Experiencing helps release the effects of trauma held within the nervous system. As stored survival responses are safely discharged, the body can regain regulation, supporting greater emotional balance, resilience, and wellbeing. Whether you are seeking support online or in person in Devon, this approach offers a safe path to recovery.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Developed by Dr. Peter Levine in the early 1970s, Somatic Experiencing is a highly respected, evidence-informed approach to resolving the effects of trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Rather than focusing only on thoughts or emotions, it works with the body’s natural ability to heal, helping people recover from overwhelming life experiences in a safe and supportive way.
Trauma is a widespread fact of modern life. Most, if not all, of us have been traumatized in some way. A core definition of trauma is something that is overwhelming and happens too fast and too soon for our systems to deal with. It can result from events such as:
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, tsunamis)
- Motor accidents or sudden attacks
- Serious illness or difficult births
- Troubled relationships or high levels of prolonged stress
Understanding the Symptoms
The impact of these experiences is unique to each person and is not always immediately obvious. Symptoms of unresolved trauma may include:
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Chronic fatigue and insomnia
- Obsessive or compulsive behaviours
- Unexplained phobias and migraines
- Ongoing nervous system dysregulation
In many cases, these symptoms can remain hidden for months or even years before they begin to surface. Somatic Experiencing gently addresses the underlying cause of these responses, allowing the nervous system to restore a greater sense of calm and balance.
Trauma and the Nervous System
Research by Dr. Peter Levine suggests that trauma is not defined by an event itself, but by how it is held within the nervous system. Somatic Experiencing (SE) recognises that every individual’s capacity to process stress is unique. Consequently, two people may experience the same event yet respond with very different physiological outcomes. When a survival response is not fully completed, that energy remains trapped in the body, often manifesting as anxiety, chronic tension, or emotional overwhelm.
A Gentle Path to Regulation
Rather than requiring you to relive painful memories, Somatic Experiencing works directly with your body’s natural physiology. We focus on the “felt sense” to gently release survival energies, such as fight, flight, or freeze, that have become bound in your system. By slowly discharging this stored stress, we allow your nervous system to return to its natural state of equilibrium.
Restoring Resilience and Wellbeing
This somatic process supports deep regulation and long-term emotional wellbeing. As your body learns to move through these cycles of release, you naturally rediscover your internal resilience. Whether we meet online or in person, this work provides the tools to live a life that is less inhibited, more grounded, and fully aligned with your innate health.