Therapeutic Approach
Somatic
Experiencing (SE)
"Healing the Nervous System from the Inside Out"
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Many people find that even after years of talk therapy, they still "feel" their trauma in their body—as a tight chest, a knot in the stomach, or a constant state of hyper-vigilance. Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine. It is based on the idea that trauma isn't just in the head; it's a biological "incomplete" response to a threat that has remained trapped in the nervous system.
How Does it Work at mind360?
Instead of focusing solely on the story of what happened, we focus on the sensations in your body.
- Tracking Sensation: Your therapist helps you become aware of physical cues (like tension, warmth, or tingling).
- Titration: We work in very small "doses." We touch on the distressing memory just enough to notice the body's reaction, then immediately guide you back to a place of safety and resource.
- Discharging Energy: We help your body "complete" the fight, flight, or freeze response it couldn't finish at the time of the event. This might look like a deep breath, a small movement, or a sudden sense of muscle relaxation.
Who Can Benefit?
- Chronic Stress & Burnout: For those who feel "always on" or completely "numb."
- PTSD: Especially for events where you felt physically trapped or powerless.
- Medical Trauma: Recovering from surgeries, accidents, or chronic illness.
- Anxiety & Panic: Learning to calm the physical "engine" of anxiety before it becomes a full panic attack.