Somatic Experiencing Therapy: A Body-Oriented Approach to Trauma Recovery

This site contains product affiliate links. We may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.

Somatic experiencing therapy is an innovative, evidence-informed approach to trauma resolution, which recognises that trauma is not solely a psychological phenomenon, but also a physiological one. Developed by Dr Peter A. Levine, this therapeutic modality offers a structured pathway for supporting individuals in processing and resolving trauma by working directly with the nervous system.

An Overview of Somatic Experiencing Therapy

Somatic experiencing (SE) is a body-centred approach grounded in the understanding that traumatic stress becomes “stuck” in the nervous system. Unlike conventional talk therapies, SE prioritises the observation and integration of physical sensations, fostering a gentle and gradual release of stored traumatic energy.

At its core, SE aims to restore the client’s ability to self-regulate by engaging with interoceptive awareness—the felt sense within the body—rather than solely relying on cognitive insight or narrative recall.

Relevant Reading: Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma

Origins and Development

Peter Levine’s clinical observations of animals in the wild significantly shaped SE’s foundation. He noted that although animals are frequently exposed to life-threatening situations, they seldom exhibit long-term trauma symptoms. This resilience is attributed to innate mechanisms for discharging survival energy once the threat has passed. Human beings, however, often inhibit these physiological processes due to social, cultural, or psychological constraints.

Levine theorised that unresolved trauma stems not from the event itself, but from the body’s inability to complete the defensive response. SE emerged as a means to facilitate the completion of these biological responses in a controlled and therapeutic context.

Core Principles and Clinical Techniques

Titration and Pendulation

SE practitioners employ titration, the principle of addressing traumatic material in small, manageable doses to avoid overwhelming the system. This is complemented by pendulation, which encourages movement between dysregulated states and internal resources of calm or safety. Together, these mechanisms help build capacity in the nervous system and minimise the risk of retraumatisation.

Discharge and Renegotiation

A key goal of SE is the discharge of incomplete survival responses—such as fight, flight, or freeze—through subtle physical shifts, such as changes in breath, temperature, or muscular tension. The process of renegotiation allows the client to revisit traumatic experiences without re-entering them fully, thereby integrating the experience with safety and agency.

The Role of the Therapist

The SE practitioner carefully tracks both verbal and non-verbal cues, including micro-movements, posture, tone of voice, and physiological responses. The therapist supports the client in maintaining presence within their “window of tolerance” (Siegel, 1999), a concept referring to the optimal arousal zone where processing can occur without dysregulation.

Theoretical Frameworks Supporting SE

Somatic experiencing is informed by several interdisciplinary theories, providing a robust scientific underpinning for its methods.

Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 1995)

Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory elucidates the hierarchical organisation of the autonomic nervous system. It distinguishes between three states:

• Ventral vagal activation (social engagement, calm)

• Sympathetic arousal (fight or flight)

• Dorsal vagal shutdown (freeze, immobilisation)

SE seeks to support clients in transitioning out of defensive states and re-establishing access to ventral vagal safety and connection.

Attachment Theory

Early attachment experiences shape one’s capacity for affect regulation. Insecure or disorganised attachment may predispose individuals to trauma-related dysregulation. SE offers opportunities for reparative, embodied relational experiences within the therapeutic alliance.

Neurobiological Regulation

Trauma disrupts homeostasis in the nervous system, leading to states of hyperarousal (anxiety, hypervigilance) or hypoarousal (numbness, disconnection). SE aims to restore autonomic flexibility and increase an individual’s resilience to stressors.

Clinical Applications of Somatic Experiencing

SE is applicable to a wide range of presentations, including but not limited to:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Complex and developmental trauma

• Anxiety and panic disorders

• Depression

• Chronic pain and somatic symptom disorders

• Grief and loss

• Dissociation

  
  

It is also increasingly integrated into work with individuals recovering from medical trauma, relational trauma, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).

Evidence Base and Research

Empirical Findings

Although still developing, the empirical support for somatic experiencing is promising.

• Brom et al. (2017) conducted a randomised controlled trial which demonstrated statistically significant reductions in PTSD symptoms among participants treated with SE.

• Leitch et al. (2009) studied humanitarian aid workers exposed to disaster zones and found that SE interventions were associated with decreased stress levels and increased resilience.

Further research is required to expand the evidence base, particularly in comparison with other established trauma modalities such as EMDR or trauma-focused CBT.

Integration with Other Modalities

SE can be effectively integrated into a variety of therapeutic frameworks:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS): Helps explore and integrate inner parts in a body-aware manner

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): SE complements EMDR by enhancing somatic grounding

• Mindfulness-based approaches: Encourages present-moment awareness of bodily states

• Psychodynamic therapy: Deepens emotional processing by incorporating bodily experience

This integrative capacity allows clinicians to tailor treatment to the individual needs of each client.

Client Experience and Outcomes

Clients frequently describe outcomes such as:

• Increased embodiment and self-awareness

• Enhanced emotional regulation

• Relief from persistent physical tension or symptoms

• Reconnection with agency and a sense of safety

• Reduced reactivity and improved interpersonal functioning

  
  

Because SE does not require full narrative recall, it is often experienced as less re-traumatising than some traditional approaches.

Considerations and Limitations

Clinical Suitability

While SE offers a powerful therapeutic pathway, it may require modification for clients with:

• Severe dissociative disorders

• Psychotic symptoms

• High levels of developmental trauma without adequate stability

  
  

In such cases, SE should be integrated cautiously within a broader containment-focused treatment plan.

Ongoing Research

Although clinical feedback is strong, further large-scale, peer-reviewed studies are needed to validate the approach across diverse populations and clinical settings.

Conclusion

Somatic experiencing therapy represents a paradigm shift in trauma treatment—one that acknowledges the body as central to both the impact of trauma and its resolution. Grounded in neuroscience and informed by cross-disciplinary insights, SE empowers individuals to access their body’s innate wisdom and capacity for healing.

As interest in body-based therapy, nervous system regulation, and integrative trauma care continues to grow, SE offers a clinically robust and deeply compassionate path towards restoring regulation, resilience, and wholeness.

References

Brom, D., Stokar, Y., Lawi, C., et al. (2017). Somatic experiencing for posttraumatic stress disorder: A randomised controlled outcome study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30(3), 304–312.

Leitch, L., Vanslyke, J., & Allen, M. (2009). Somatic experiencing treatment with social service workers following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Social Work, 54(1), 9–18.

Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.

Levine, P. A. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. North Atlantic Books.

Porges, S. W. (1995). Orienting in a defensive world: Mammalian modifications of our evolutionary heritage. Psychophysiology, 32(4), 301–318.

Siegel, D. J. (1999). The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are. Guilford Press.

---

About Dr Laura Allen  

Dr Laura Allen is a Chartered Psychologist and Integrative Therapist with expertise across a range of therapeutic modalities. A published author in the field of Positive Psychology, she offers personalised one-to-one support, provides supervision for fellow practitioners, and plays an active role in shaping the future of the profession through her work with the British Psychological Society’s assessment team.