How does SE® work?
How animals release shock
Dr. Levine dedicated himself to studying the effects of stress on the nervous system of animals, recognizing that animals are constantly exposed to life-threatening situations but do not exhibit trauma symptoms. He discovered that trauma, in response to a perceived threat, involves a third survival response: freezing. When "fight or flight" is not an option, we freeze and become immobile, as if playing dead, making us less of a target. This response is time-sensitive, meaning it must be allowed to run its natural course, so that the enormous energy mobilized for "fight or flight" can be discharged through shaking and trembling. If the immobility phase is incomplete, the undischarged energy gets stuck, and the body remains in a state of readiness. The Somatic Experiencing® (SE) method works to release this trapped energy, turning off the state of readiness that can cause severe dysregulation and dissociation.
Renegotiation
From the Somatic Experiencing® perspective, it is not the traumatic event itself that causes trauma but the overwhelming response to the perceived danger, which disrupts the nervous system. The goal is to access the body’s stored memory of the event rather than focus on the story of the trauma. This means it is not necessary to talk about the event if the person does not want to.
Give enough time
We introduce the concept of titration, which is the slow release of energy. Somatic Experiencing® works in cycles, following the natural ebb and flow of internal sensations—contraction/expansion, joy/pain, warmth/cold—but only to the extent that it remains manageable. This repetitive, rhythmic process helps increase stress tolerance and stay in the present moment, where we truly belong.
Pendulation
Pendulation is a term coined by Dr. Levine to describe the natural oscillation between the opposing forces of contraction and expansion. Somatic Experiencing® uses this principle to help clients experience a sense of flow.
Bottom-up processes
Similar to other somatic psychotherapeutic approaches, Somatic Experiencing® follows the "start with the body" principle to work through problematic (and often physical) symptoms. This means the therapy is not about recalling memories or changing our thoughts and belief systems but rather directing attention to the physical sensations beneath our emotions and exploring the ingrained behavioral patterns associated with those feelings.