Somatic Experiencing (SE), as developed by Dr Peter Levine, is a physiological approach to resolving trauma. Somatic, trauma informed therapeutic touch is an extension of SE.
At its core SE is a mindfulness practice. It’s about accessing the part of the self that is hard wired to heal. It is a combination of neuroscience and the understanding of the physiological responses of what’s overwhelming.
Somatic Touch
Touch is integral to what it means to be human. Some of us have very positive and nurturing experiences of touch, many of us are wary, nervous or even fearful of touch due to unpleasant experiences or simply through not experiencing enough touch to know how supportive it can be. Even as a touch therapist, I can still work to assist in the return of health, without contact by using the basic principles of SE. Many clients have experienced significant improvements in pain, chronic symptoms, syndromal conditions, anxiety and gut dysfunction, to name a few, without my using touch. Other clients have had major breakthroughs with their conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue, CPTSD and post-operative recovery through gentle, supportive co-regulating touch.
