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Learn more about somatic experiencing
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-based therapy for trauma and chronic stress, developed by Peter Levine. It works from the idea that trauma is held not only in the mind but in the body and nervous system, and that distress can persist when the body stays stuck in a state of alert long after the threat has passed. Rather than focusing mainly on talking through events, Somatic Experiencing pays close attention to physical sensations, helping the nervous system gradually settle.
It sits within the wider field of somatic therapy, which brings body awareness into psychological support, and is often used alongside other forms of therapy rather than in isolation.
Somatic Experiencing is guided by your body's responses as much as by conversation. A practitioner helps you notice physical sensations linked to stress or trauma, such as tension, tightness, or restlessness, and works with them slowly and safely so the nervous system can release what it has been holding.
In practice, sessions may involve:
- Tracking sensations. You learn to notice what is happening in your body, such as where you hold tension, without being overwhelmed by it.
- Working gradually. Rather than revisiting a whole traumatic memory at once, the work moves in small, manageable steps, pausing to let the nervous system settle.
- Restoring regulation. Through attention to breath, movement, and sensation, the aim is to help the body move out of a chronic stress response and back towards balance.
Somatic Experiencing is most associated with trauma and stress that show up physically as well as emotionally. It is used as support alongside other care, particularly where the body holds tension or a sense of being stuck.
- Stress: Somatic Experiencing works directly with the body's stress response, helping an overactivated nervous system settle. Expect gentle attention to physical tension and gradual work to bring the body back towards a calmer, more regulated state.
- Trauma: This is the approach's core territory. Somatic Experiencing helps process the physical residue of an overwhelming experience without needing to recount it in detail, working slowly so the nervous system is not flooded. It is used alongside other trauma support as needed.
- Chronic pain: Where stress and tension amplify persistent pain, Somatic Experiencing can help you notice and ease the body's stress response. It supports psychological wellbeing alongside medical care, and does not replace treatment for the underlying condition.
- Complex PTSD: For repeated or long-standing trauma, Somatic Experiencing can help address the physical residue of chronic stress, working slowly to help the nervous system settle. It is used alongside trauma-focused therapy and appropriate clinical care, not on its own.
It's Complicated is a therapist-founded mental health platform connecting clients with verified practitioners across Europe and globally, in over 60 languages. We work with over 2,500 vetted therapists, with in-person availability in Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Lisbon, Vienna, and other major cities, alongside online sessions worldwide. It's Complicated is free to use, and you pay your chosen therapist directly at rates they set.
Somatic Experiencing is a specialised approach, and it matters that your practitioner is properly trained in body-based trauma work. Our matching service is built to remove that friction. You complete a short survey, our psychologists combine data-driven insights with human judgement to identify the right therapists for your situation, and you choose from a shortlist of strong candidates. You can also browse our directory directly if you'd prefer to choose yourself.
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