Somatic Experiencing differs from talk therapy because it is experiential, but unlike other trauma therapies, it can help you to be present with difficult feelings in a way that isn’t overwhelming.
Somatic Experiencing is a relatively new approach to working with trauma-related mental health concerns, such as relationship issues or anxiety, via addressing how trauma manifests in the body. It acknowledges that trauma is stored in the body and that it can be resolved with proper support to reduce triggered reactions and patterns of defense in the nervous system.
What do SE sessions look like?
My sessions can start out like traditional talk therapy, in the sense that I would want to find out what you are looking for from a therapist and what goals or objectives you might have. After we discuss your goals, I will want to assess your capacity to stay present in the body as we all have different comfort levels. I might do that by leading you through a grounding exercise or exercises that can be used to practice being present in the body. We will explore individual resources that help you to stay present with the difficult emotions you experience.
For more information, see https://traumahealing.org/se-101/.