Somatic Experiencing
Healing Through the Wisdom of Your Body
Our
Approach
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing offers a unique approach to trauma recovery, focusing on the body's ability to heal itself. Our trained therapists at Renew Christian Counseling Fort Worth provide a safe, nurturing environment for clients to explore and release traumatic stress. Integrating this practice with our faith-based care, we support clients in finding not only emotional and psychological healing but spiritual renewal as well.
While traditional talk therapy often focuses on cognitive and verbal processing of trauma, Somatic Experiencing emphasizes the body's role in storing and releasing traumatic stress. This approach offers an alternative for individuals who may find verbal processing challenging, providing a non-verbal pathway to healing that complements the cognitive insights gained in talk therapy.
I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.
— Psalm 31:7
SOmatic experiencing 101
Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is designed to address stress, shock, and trauma that become lodged in our bodies over time. By targeting patterns of fight, flight, or freeze, SE assists in releasing these accumulated stressors, facilitating recovery and enhancing resilience. This body-oriented therapeutic approach is utilized across various professions and settings, including psychotherapy, medicine, coaching, teaching, and physical therapy, to treat trauma and stress-related disorders. Grounded in a holistic understanding of physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, SE has been clinically applied for over four decades. Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, it represents a comprehensive approach to healing and well-being.
Additional Resources
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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
By Bessel van der Kolk M.D.Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
by Peter A. LevineGentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers
By Dane OrtlundAn Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey
By Peter Lavine
In this 5-minute video, Dr. Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing, discusses how he came to create his powerful approach to trauma.
This video tells the compassionate story of the healing process of Ray, a Marine who had been injured by two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and diagnosed with both severe PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Dr. Levine demonstrates the power of SE as a tool to heal the wounds of war.
Dr. Peter Levine uses his famous “Slinky” presentation to demonstrate the effects of trauma on the nervous system, and his philosophy of treating trauma, which involves slowly releasing (or titrating) this compressed fight-or-flight energy a bit at time to give the individual the ability to reintegrate it back into the nervous system.
Trauma is a fact of life. It does not however have to be a life sentence.
— Peter Levine ( Founder of Somatic Experiencing )
FAQs
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Somatic Experiencing is a therapeutic technique designed to help individuals recover from trauma by focusing on bodily sensations. It works by identifying and releasing the physical responses that are stuck in the aftermath of traumatic events, allowing the body to return to a state of equilibrium.
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Individuals who have experienced trauma, suffer from chronic stress, or feel disconnected from their bodies can benefit from SE. This approach is suitable for those seeking a gentle, body-focused method to complement traditional talk therapy, especially when integrated with a faith-based perspective on healing.
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At Renew Christian Counseling Fort Worth, we believe in the healing of mind, body, and spirit. Somatic Experiencing aligns with our faith-based practice by acknowledging the body as a vessel created by God, capable of both holding and healing from trauma. This method enhances our therapeutic offerings, providing a pathway to healing that respects the interconnectedness of our physical and spiritual existence.
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In a typical SE session, you'll be guided to notice bodily sensations and encouraged to explore them in a safe and supportive environment. Your therapist will help you identify areas of tension or discomfort related to trauma and use gentle exercises to release these blockages. The process is slow and respectful, allowing your body to lead the way to recovery.
Embracing
Transformation
Our clients tend to be individuals who find themselves in a place of hurt, loneliness, confusion, and feeling stuck. They yearn for a deeper connection with God and recognize the importance of His presence in their counseling sessions. They desire to explore their faith, find answers to heart issues, and understand how God’s truth can guide them towards healthier thinking and behavior.
A FEW WAYS THAT RENEW CHRISTIAN COUNSELING HELPS:
Through our guidance, you will discover the healing power of God's love, even in the face of trauma and abandonment.
Our approach includes compassionate listening, asking meaningful questions, and guiding you through the trials of life.
We strive to help you become unstuck, alleviate anxiety and depression, reduce feelings of isolation, improve your mood and overall functioning, and experience a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction.
