Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is a body-based approach to formal treatments of therapy, working to heal trauma and chronic stress one may experience. Based off of the works of Dr. Peter Levine, the approach of somatic experiencing takes root that trauma of all types is not based solely on the mind, but also stored in the body.

Anna Jensen is a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), working with clients to heal root causes of symptoms. Her three year training in somatic practices allows her to work with what the body remembers to create change.

What is Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) focuses on helping people become aware of their bodily sensations, especially those linked to stress or traumatic experiences. Instead of retelling or reliving a traumatic event (like in some traditional talk therapies), SE guides a person to tune into subtle body responses—like tension, heat, numbness, or trembling—and gently work with those sensations to create change.

Somatic Experiencing is often used for people dealing with PTSD, anxiety, chronic pain, or emotional dysregulation—especially when talk therapy alone hasn’t been effective. SE helps the body to down-regulate the nervous system, bringing awareness to unconscious bracing happening in the body, and gently rewiring the body’s response to sensation—shifting from survival to regulation.

Key Concepts of Somatic Experiencing

  • SE works with the idea that trauma can occur when the body’s natural survival responses (fight, flight, or freeze) get stuck or incomplete.

  • This refers to moving between states of distress and calm, helping the nervous system gradually regain balance.

  • This means breaking down overwhelming experiences into small, manageable pieces to avoid re-traumatization.

  • As the body releases stored survival energy (like through shaking or deep breaths), clients can feel a sense of relief and healing.

In a somatic experiencing session, a therapist may guide you to:

  • Notice physical sensations

  • Slow down and pause to process safely

  • Follow the body’s impulses (like a desire to stretch, cry, or move)

  • Gently revisit memories without getting overwhelmed

Somatic Experiencing allows the body to complete trauma responses, move away from suppression, decrease dissociation, and increase nervous system flexibility to handle stressors in a more impactful way.

Interested in trying or learning more about Somatic Experiencing?

Contact Anna at anna@bluewatercounselors.com to get started as a new client or, if you are a practicing clinician, to schedule a consultation.