Somatic Experiencing Psychotherapist
About Diana
Somatic Experiencing
What is Somatic Experiencing (SE)?
The Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute (SETI) describes SE as "an integrative and naturalistic approach to the prevention and resolution of trauma developed by Peter A. Levine, PhD. This revolutionary method, supported by leading-edge neuroscience, is based on the observation that wild prey animals, though routinely threatened, are rarely traumatized.
Learning to model an animal's innate resilience to trauma enables humans to return to equilibrium in the aftermath of violence, fear, rage, helplessness, loss and other extreme experiences. Somatic Experiencing is a profoundly effective method of gently addressing trauma based on the premise that the nervous system inherently knows how to return to balance if given the right support."
What is Somatic Experiencing (SE)?
The Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute (SETI) describes SE as "an integrative and naturalistic approach to the prevention and resolution of trauma developed by Peter A. Levine, PhD. This revolutionary method, supported by leading-edge neuroscience, is based on the observation that wild prey animals, though routinely threatened, are rarely traumatized.
Learning to model an animal's innate resilience to trauma enables humans to return to equilibrium in the aftermath of violence, fear, rage, helplessness, loss and other extreme experiences. Somatic Experiencing is a profoundly effective method of gently addressing trauma based on the premise that the nervous system inherently knows how to return to balance if given the right support."
What is Body-Oriented Psychotherapy?
Body-oriented psychotherapy is an approach that encompasses both depth psychotherapy and a more direct approach to gaining access to one's deeper felt-sense, such as Somatic Experiencing. In this gentle, non-touch approach, you will be supported in learning to trust yourself, as you increase your capacity to tolerate the felt-sense states that you are already holding in your body. The space between our conscious awareness and our unconscious dreamworld has been termed a ‘liminal’ state. It is rather like the ‘dawn’ and ‘dusk’ of our awareness. It holds much potential and richness, but we do not often pay attention to those phases of the day.
What are felt-sense states?
Felt-sense is a term coined by Dr. Eugene T. Gendlin in a small, very important book titled Focusing published in 1978. The term refers to that combination of sensations, feelings and vague awarenesses that each of us has when we focus inwardly. Dr. Gendlin developed a method he termed focusing for gently accessing those internal felt-senses and thus, shifting our experience by connecting with the sensations and coming to understand their meaning. His work is one of the seminal contributions to the field of somatics.
What is SandPlay?
Based on the work of C.G. Jung, SandPlay, as developed by Dora Klaff, allows you to create a three-dimensional pictorial world that corresponds to your inner state. Through free, creative play, using figures and the arrangement of the sand in the area bounded by the sandbox, your unconscious processes are made visible in a way comparable to the dream experience. SandPlayoriginator Dora Kalff describes it this way: “Through a series of images that take shape in this way, the process of individuation described by C.G. Jung is stimulated and brought to fruition.”
Learning to listen to ourselves using the techniques of Somatic Experiencing and Jungian Sandplay, can increase our awareness and understanding while assisting the resolution of the symptoms of trauma and conflicts. Sometimes the path will be through the ‘dark woods’ of scary feelings/images or the obstacles of conflicting choices in situations. As you learn to ‘ride the waves of sensation, your resilience and confidence grows. The innate intelligence of your being is re-awakened and your sense of options, creativity, and well-being expands, increasing your capacity to live in the present moment of your life.