What is Somatic Experiencing (and Why You Should Give it a Try- Somatic Experiencing in Houston, Texas)

Have you ever been so stressed out that your shoulders are practically touching your ears? This is what I like to call shoulder earrings! Or maybe you spent your whole day with your mind racing so much that it feels like a hamster on a wheel. If you’ve ever wondered why stress, anxiety, or trauma sometimes show up as a tight chest or a sore back, it’s because your body is trying to tell you something. It’s like your body has a secret language, and it’s so tired of keeping quiet. Our bodies are trying to tell us a story- we just need to learn how to listen to it.

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a therapy approach that can be interwoven with traditional talk therapy methods. SE helps give you the time and space for your body to tell the story of what its been through. Unlike traditional therapy where you sit and talk (which is still super helpful, by the way), somatic experiencing sessions focus on tuning into your body’s sensations to help you release pent up emotions, stress, and trauma. Think of it as helping your mind and body get back on the same page.

What Exactly is Somatic Experiencing (SE)?

Somatic experiencing is a type of therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine, who understood that trauma doesn’t just live in your head—it often sets up camp in your body too. Unlike traditional talk therapy, which focuses mainly on the cognitive and emotional aspects of healing, SE emphasizes the mind-body connection.

In simple terms: SE helps you connect the dots between how your body feels and what your mind is going through. You know that "gut feeling" when something’s off? SE taps into that, and allows your body to do what it needs to do, to finally release what’s been stuck all those years.

In SE, the body’s sensations—such as tension, tightness, warmth, or discomfort—are used as a gateway to understanding and releasing stored trauma. This technique helps people become more aware of how their bodies react to stress and allows them to process and release trapped emotions, ultimately leading to healing and emotional regulation. Basically, SE can help you process emotions and stress in a way that your mind and body can actually agree on.

What Are Some Somatic Experiencing Techniques I’ll See in Sessions?

Great question! In true SE fashion, Let’s break it down in easy-to-digest bites:

1. Body Sensations Are the Stars of the Show:
   Instead of just talking about your emotions (which can feel like trying to explain a bad dream to someone), your SE therapist will have you focus on what’s happening in your body as you talk about what feels big. Maybe you feel a constriction in your shoulders, heaviness in your stomach, warmth, or your jaw is clenching. That’s your body saying, "Hello!! Listen to me! I have something valuable to say.”

2. Releasing Trapped Energy:
   Ever feel like you're holding on to stress so tightly that it starts to feel it should start paying rent in your body? That’s what trauma does: it gets stuck. SE asks the body what it wants to do with the sensations and discomfort it is experiencing as you recall a trauma. Often times, when we listen closely, the body will tell the story of what it wanted to, but couldn’t do when experiencing the trauma. SE uses gentle movement and exploration to help complete that response to release that pent up energy. I like to call it “metabolizing” your trauma.

3. The Art of Pendulation:
   Pendulation is a fancy term for moving between discomfort and comfort. Your Somatic Experiencing therapist will guide you between the intense feelings of trauma (like anxiety or fear) and safe, calm feelings. You practice going back and forth until you’re able to handle the harder stuff without totally losing your cool. It’s like training your nervous system to grow its window of tolerance, through the avenue of resilience.

4. Titration (A Little Goes a Long Way):
   You wouldn’t eat an entire pizza in ten minutes, right? (Well, maybe you could, but you might regret it.) The same goes for trauma. SE works in small, manageable chunks to avoid overwhelming you with too much at once. Think of titration as an IV drip. You take things slowly, which allows your body to process things step by step instead of getting completely flooded by emotions. One of the most common misconceptions about SE is that you will experience catharsis, and be cured of your trauma. While it may feel good in the moment, catharsis can actually be re-traumatizing and can reinforce you being stuck. The truth is that small steps in trauma recovery lead to lasting change.

5. Resource Building (growing your toolbox):
   Think of this as giving yourself a mental "first-aid kit"—something that helps you feel grounded and safe when things get tough as we recall trauma. For many people who walk into my office, their bodies can feel like uncomfortable places to be. It can be scary to poke around a place that historically has housed discomfort, trauma, and fear. But just as scary as the body can be, the body is also capable of so much joy, safety, and pleasure. Your SE therapist will help you tap into feeling safe in your body and building these resources, whether it’s a happy memory, a peaceful image, or even a power pose that makes you feel like you can take on the world (hello, Wonder Woman). These little boosts can help you feel more in control as you work through tough emotions that trauma brings up.

Who Should Try Somatic Experiencing?

Great news: anyone can benefit from somatic experiencing! Somatic Experiencing can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with:

• Trauma (Big T or little t—trauma is trauma!)

• Anxiety or panic attacks

• Chronic dysregulation

• Stress-related physical symptoms (headaches, muscle tension, fatigue)

• Chronic pain

• Emotional numbness, dissociation, or disconnection

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Basically, if stress or anxiety is messing with your peace of mind, SE can help you recalibrate.

Ready to Try Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing is like hitting the reset button for your nervous system. It can help you process stress, anxiety, and trauma. By paying attention to your body’s language and cues, SE helps you move from chaos to calm, one small step at a time.

If you're curious about how somatic experiencing can help you feel more grounded, relaxed, and in control, give it a try! Whether you're dealing with past trauma or just need to de-stress, SE can help you navigate life’s challenges with a little more ease.

Want to learn more or book a session? Reach out today—we offer Somatic Experiencing in Houston, Texas or online across the entire state of Texas.

In Joy,

Shaye