Somatic Experiencing

Who is this therapy for?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a trauma-informed approach that can benefit anyone, especially those experiencing anxiety, stress, or emotional dysregulation. It integrates counselling psychology with body-centered therapy, making it effective for individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. SE values your unique personal experiences rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you're addressing past trauma, current emotional challenges, or physical stress, SE works from the inside out to support mental health and overall well-being. Sessions are available online across Alberta or in person in Whitecourt and Edmonton. If you’d like to learn more about other approaches, you can explore my Therapy for Stress and Burnout on the Services page.

How do problems develop?

In Somatic Experiencing, trauma results from unprocessed responses—such as fight, flight, or freeze—during overwhelming or distressing experiences. When these responses aren’t fully expressed or resolved, the energy can become trapped in the nervous system, contributing to mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or difficulty regulating emotions. Trauma can also affect the body, creating physical tension or discomfort. The nervous system, however, is adaptive and capable of change, emotional healing and recovery. You can read more about the benefits and process of SE in my somatic therapy blog post.

Where does change come from?

SE emphasizes the body’s natural capacity for healing, growth, and transformation. By integrating mind and body, SE addresses both mental health challenges and the physical impacts of stress and trauma. This holistic approach supports individuals in managing anxiety, trauma, stress, and emotional dysregulation, helping build long-term resilience and well-being.

How does change happen?

The therapeutic relationship is central to SE. Your therapist works with you to understand your nervous system’s responses to stress and trauma, guiding you to safely release trapped energy and unresolved emotions. In a supportive and empathetic environment, you navigate between states of safety and distress, addressing past trauma, reducing symptoms, and reconnecting with a fuller range of emotions. SE is particularly effective for trauma-related mental health issues, fostering emotional regulation and resilience.

While SE can be transformative for trauma recovery, working through trauma isn’t necessary or appropriate for everyone. SE provides tools and resources that your therapist can introduce during sessions, helping you build resilience, strengthen mental health, and navigate challenges as they arise.

But does it really work?

Research supports SE’s effectiveness for trauma and trauma-related symptoms, including anxiety, stress, and emotional dysregulation. Studies have shown its ability to help individuals process and integrate trauma, leading to improved emotional regulation and reduced symptoms (Andersen et al., 2018; Briggs et al., 2018; Brom et al., 2017; Parker et al., 2008; Payne et al., 2015; Winblad et al., 2018). Its body-centered approach shows promise for enhancing resilience and reducing both the physical and emotional impacts of stress.

Learn More / Connect

If you’d like to explore Somatic Experiencing, you’re welcome to ask questions or connect for a brief 15-minute phone consultation. This is a low-pressure way to see if this body-centered therapy feels like a good fit for your needs. You can book a time through my online platform or email me at tinagalpsych@gmail.com.

References

Andersen, T. E., Ellegaard, H., Schiøttz-Christensen, B., & Manniche, C. (2018). Somatic experiencing® for patients with low back pain and comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder – protocol of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 18(1). doi:10.1186/s12906-018-2370-y

Briggs, P. C., Hayes, S., & Changaris, M. (2018). Somatic Experiencing® Informed Therapeutic Group for the Care and Treatment of Biopsychosocial Effects upon a Gender Diverse Identity. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 9. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00053

Brom, D., Stokar, Y., Lawi, C., Nuriel-Porat, V., Ziv, Y., Lerner, K., & Ross, G. (2017). Somatic Experiencing for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Outcome Study. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30(3), 304–312. doi: 10.1002/jts.22189

Leitch, M. L. (2007). Somatic Experiencing® treatment with tsunami survivors in Thailand: broadening the scope of early intervention. Traumatology 13, 11–20. doi: 10.1177/1534765607305439

Motschnig, R., & Nykl, L. (2015). Person-centred communication: Theory, skills and practice. McGraw-Hill Education (UK).

Parker, C., Doctor, R. M., and Selvam, R. (2008). Somatic therapy treatment effects with tsunami survivors. Traumatology 14, 103–109. doi: 10.1177/1534765608319080 

Payne, P., Levine, P. A., and Crane-Godreau, M. A. (2015). Somatic experiencing: using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy. Front. Psychol. 6:93. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093 

Taylor, P. & Saint-Laurent, R. (2017). Group Psychotherapy Informed by the Principles of Somatic Experiencing: Moving Beyond Trauma to Embodied Relationship, International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 67:sup1, 171-181, doi:10.1080/00207284.2016.1218282

Winblad, N. E., Changaris, M., & Stein, P. K. (2018). Effect of somatic experiencing resiliency-based trauma treatment training on quality of life and psychological health as potential markers of resilience in treating professionals. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00070