Somatic Experiencing® is one of several somatic therapies — alongside EMDR, Hakomi, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy — gaining recognition for its safe, organic approach to nervous system regulation and healing.
DEFINITION
What is Somatic Experiencing®?
Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) is a body-focused approach to healing trauma and chronic stress developed by Dr. Peter Levine. Rather than working primarily through talk and cognitive processing, SE™ works directly with the nervous system — addressing the physiological imprint that traumatic or stressful experiences leave in the body.
Trauma is not just a memory. It is a set of unresolved survival responses that can remain active in the body long after the original event has passed. Over time, these stored responses can show up as anxiety, chronic pain, fatigue, emotional dysregulation, and a range of other physical and psychological symptoms.
Somatic Experiencing® is one of several somatic therapies — alongside EMDR, Hakomi, and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy — gaining recognition for its safe, organic approach to nervous system regulation and healing.
SE™ works directly with the nervous system, making it effective for a wide range of conditions — not just single traumatic events, but the cumulative effects of ongoing stress as well. These include trauma and stress-related conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, and burnout; chronic physical symptoms like pain, digestive issues, and symptoms tied to chronic illness; emotional difficulties including depression, grief, and relational challenges; and recovery from specific events such as accidents, medical trauma, or difficult diagnoses.
ADVANTAGE
Why Somatic Experiencing® at GWCIM?
At GWCIM, Somatic Experiencing® is offered by a practitioner who combines SE with bodywork and Chinese Medicine — making it a good fit for patients who are already in psychotherapy and want to address the physical side of their healing as well.
GWCIM also offers a wider range of trauma-informed services, including integrative psychiatry, psychotherapy, trauma-informed yoga therapy, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, so patients can receive coordinated care in one place.
APPROACH
How do we do Somatic Experiencing® at GWCIM?
Sessions at GWCIM follow the core principles of the SE™ method, with safety and support as the foundation.
Sessions at GWCIM are provided by a licensed acupuncturist and bodywork specialist with complete SE certification. For individuals with significant trauma histories or active mental health symptoms, working alongside a mental health provider is required.
New patients can begin with an Initial Discovery Session — an opportunity to learn more about the approach and practitioner, and whether SE is the right fit for your needs.
Most sessions include SE therapeutic touch and work on the massage table.
SE™ Combined with Acupuncture
Interested patients can receive SE™ and acupuncture together in a single session. Both approaches work directly with the body's physiology, making them a natural pairing. Acupuncture helps calm the nervous system and release physical tension, which supports and deepens the SE™ work. Angela Gabriel holds certifications in both and integrates them as a single, cohesive treatment.
Safety and Building Resources
A central part of the work involves identifying what helps you feel grounded and stable — whether that is a particular way of breathing, a body sensation, or a mental image of safety. These resources become anchors you can return to during sessions and in everyday life.
Awareness and Tracking.
You will be guided to notice physical sensations in your body, alongside any emotions, images, memories, movements, or thoughts that arise. This practice of tracking helps rebuild the connection between mind and body and supports your innate capacity for self-regulation.
Titration
Rather than diving into difficult material all at once, SE™ touches on challenging sensations in small, manageable steps. This approach allows the nervous system to process stored stress gradually, without becoming overwhelmed.
Release and Integration
Through movement, breath, and other gentle methods, the body is supported in completing survival responses that were never fully resolved. As this happens, those responses can shift from active triggers into integrated past experiences — building greater resilience and an increased capacity to navigate stress.
EXPERTISE
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LEARN MORE
More about Somatic Experiencing®
Patient Expectations
SE™ is a safe and slow-paced therapy. Still, most patients can expect to see progress within several sessions, especially when working with a team of healthcare and mental health specialists.
Q&A
Q&A
Not at all. Somatic Experiencing® is helpful for anyone experiencing the effects of chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, or life transitions — not only those with a formal trauma diagnosis.
This varies significantly depending on the individual, their history, and their goals. Many patients notice shifts within the first several sessions, while deeper or more complex trauma may benefit from longer-term work. Your provider will discuss this with you during the Initial Discovery Session.
It is a 60-minute introductory session with Angela Gabriel, offered at a special rate of $100. It is a chance to learn more about the SE™ approach, ask questions, and explore whether it is the right fit for you — without any commitment to ongoing sessions.
Yes. Somatic Experiencing® can be adapted for children and adolescents. Because it works through body awareness and gentle movement rather than verbal processing, it can be especially effective for younger patients who may not yet have the language to articulate their experiences. A parent or caregiver is typically involved in the process as well.
Experiences vary. Some patients feel a sense of calm or physical release during a session. Others may notice tiredness, emotional tenderness, or increased body awareness in the hours or days that follow. These are normal parts of the process. Your provider will help you understand what you are experiencing and how to support yourself between sessions.
SE™ works best as part of a broader care plan. It pairs naturally with traditional psychotherapy, which addresses the narrative side of trauma while SE™ works with what the body is holding. Body-based modalities like acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, massage, and trauma-informed yoga also complement SE™ well, as they support the same goal of nervous system regulation. For patients with more complex needs, integrative psychiatry or ketamine-assisted psychotherapy may also be helpful. At GWCIM, many of these services are available in one place.