Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute

Year Founded: 1972

Model of Therapy: Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing® (SE), a psychobiological trauma treatment, is the life work of Peter Levine and one approach to the resolution of trauma symptoms and the relief of recurring stress. This method is the result of 45 years of successful clinical use as well as extensive research in the disciplines of stress physiology, biology, psychology, ethology, indigenous healing practices, medical biophysics, and neuroscience.  

This approach can help those in treatment discharge traumatic shock, a necessary step in the transformation of posttraumatic stress and the effects of emotional or early development attachment trauma. When a person responds to trauma by becoming fixed in a fight, flight, or freeze response, the SE approach can determine and assess the person’s state and provide that person with the tools necessary to achieve some resolution. These skills are not only used by members of mental health professions, but also by medical professionals, physical and occupational therapists, educators, and others. 

SE holds the development of trauma to result, not necessarily from an adverse event, but from the inability of the body and the mind to process that event. With the help of qualified professionals, people in therapy work toward an increased ability to challenge sensations and emotions they may be withholding or having difficulty addressing. 

The three-year SE Professional Training program provides professionals seeking experience in SE with a thorough theoretical grounding in trauma physiology. A combination of lectures, live demonstrations, guided practice sessions, readings, and audiovisual case studies provides a wide variety of skills professionals can readily integrate into a practice.

Students also receive professional SE sessions and case consultations while in the program in order to develop their working knowledge of SE. Six to eight training modules, each lasting 4-6 days, make up the program. The program’s length allows for full integration of SE skills necessary for professional growth. Small class sizes provide an optimized learning environment and allow faculty and training assistants to provide each student with personalized attention.