An Introduction to Somatic Experiencing (SE )

Transcription

1 An Introduction to Somatic Experiencing (SE ) A Body-Mind Approach to Healing Trauma & Increasing Resiliency Special thanks to Brad Kammer for sharing much of this PowerPoint Presentation with us.

2 Dr. Peter A. Levine Devoted: 40+ years studying and researching the physiology of stress (fight, flight & freeze ) responses Asked the burning question: Why is it that animals in the wild, who are repeatedly exposed to life-threatening events, don t develop the symptoms of PTSD like humans? Discovered: All animals (including humans) have a natural immunity to the long-term, debilitating effects of trauma. Peter A. Levine, PhD Founder of Somatic Experiencing

3 Overwhelmed or threatened, animals go through predictable stages of responding to danger via fight, flight & freeze In order to optimize chances for survival, the body: Activates implicit, hardwired survival sequences Mobilizes high levels of energy to defend itself Shuts-downunnecessary bodily functions After threat has passed, animals return to normal functioning by: Discharging survival energy Integrating excess activated energy

4 SE teaches us to tap into our inherent animal nature, and come back into healthy self-regulation after a traumatic event. SE is a body-oriented psychotherapy which offers: A comprehensive understanding of traumatic stress and human stress behavior A framework to assess where a person is stuck in the fight, flight and/or freeze responses Clinical tools to resolve these fixated states, transform old patterns, and strengthen resiliency

5 What is trauma? Trauma is in the nervous system, not the event. Trauma happens when the organism is strained beyond its adaptationalcapacity to regulate. The (traumatized) nervous system disorganizes, breaks down and cannot reset itself. Peter Levine, founder of Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy First Nations cultural knowledge understands trauma to be a disconnection between the self and spirit. The spirit has left or has been jolted from the body. The work then is to help bring the spirit back. Anita Charleson-Touchie& Dea Parsanishi, Trauma & Culture, October 2014

6 Think of some of the people you have met who have experienced trauma. As you think about them, what are you noticing in your body? Hot or cold? Tight or loose? Movement or stillness? Energy or quiet? A particular sensation or shape or color?

7 What is healing? From a First Nation s cultural perspective, it is, Bringing the spirit back, reconnecting and maintaining a positive connection and balance of self, family, culture and nature. Anita Charleson-Touchie& Dea Parsanishi, Trauma & Culture, October 2014 The opportunity to engage, complete, and resolve the body s instinctual (survival) responses. This resets the nervous system, restores inner balance, enhances resilience to stress, and increases people s vitality, equanimity, and capacity to actively engage in life. Somatic Experiencing Website,

8 Think about healing, People you know who have healed Things people do that help them heal People you know that help you heal Places you ve gone that help you heal As you think about them, what are you noticing in your body? Hot or cold? Tight or loose? Movement or stillness? Energy or quiet? A particular sensation or shape or color?

9 Why do we listen to the body? It s the voice of the nervous system Helps us know what s happening in the nervous system Tells us where we are stuck Tells us what is unresolved And tells us how we can heal

10 I d like to tell a story About how we survive And about how we sometimes get stuck.

11 Instinctual Survival Strategies Polyvagal Theory Stephen Porges Social Engagement Lower energy state Looking to others for help and body belief that people are helpful Fight and/or Flight Higher energy state Actively trying to protect and body belief that I can and should act Freeze Lowest energy state Passively trying to protect/hide/disappear and body belief that I can t and shouldn t act

12 What are you noticing now? Social engagement Fight or Flight Freeze

13 The Body Keeps the Score Beyond the Talking Cure Dr. Bessel van der Kolkintroduced to the mainstream that talk-therapy alone was insufficient for trauma and stress-related disorders.

14 Want to Learn More? Reflect on how the SE model might more effectively inform your work with trauma Observe the body and becurious! Learn more about Somatic Experiencing Read SE books and publications (see reference list) Watch SE videos (YouTube) Sign-up for the SE Professional Training at traumahealing.org

15 SE Demo with Ray: Working with Iraqi War Veteran Watch at: dr-peter-levine-demonstrates-somatic-experiencing

16 Somatic Experiencing Professional Training Beginning Level 3 Modules of 4 days each Basic SE Theory & Techniques Understanding and identifying the physiological basis of trauma Working with sensation Building body-awareness & applied mindfulness Learning to identify, track and normalize autonomic shifts Identify and re-establish orienting and defensive responses Practicing stabilization & regulation skills Integrate SE into ongoing practice Session and Consultation Requirements: 4 personal sessions 4 case consultations (individual and/or group)

17 Intermediate Level 3 Modules of 4 days each Specific Traumas with Targeted Interventions Global High Intensity Trauma (e.g., pre & perinatal trauma) Inescapable Attack Physical Injury/Surgery Emotional Trauma Natural Disasters Witnessing Horror War, Torture, Ritual Abuse Social/Transgenerational Trauma Session & Consultation Requirements 4 personal sessions 6 case consultations

18 Advanced Level 2 Modules of 6 days each Medical Conditions, Syndromes and Complex Trauma Symptoms Relationship between trauma & various clinical syndromes The Polyvagal Theory Special Topics (e.g., working with infants/children, shock in eyes) SE Bodywork Deepening tracking and regulation skills Further integration of SE theory & practice The Art of SE Session and Consultation Requirements 4 personal sessions 8 case consultations (individual and/or group)

19 Upcoming SE Professional Trainings Beginning I dates British Columbia, QualicumBeach June 5-8, 2015 Alberta, Edmonton June 26-29, 2015 Saskatchewan, Saskatoon May 22-25, 2015 Quebec, Montreal September 25-28, 2015 Nova Scotia, Halifax May 22-25, 2015 And please check for more trainings worldwide

20 References, Suggested Reading & Links Heller, Laurence and Lapierre, Aline (2012). Healing Developmental Trauma. Kammer, Brad (2004). Trauma & Civilization.Masters Thesis. Levine, Peter (2010). In an Unspoken Voice. Levine, Peter (2004). Trauma Healing. Levine, Peter (1997). Waking the Tiger. Levine, Peter and Kline, Maggie (2006). Trauma Through a Child s Eyes. Poole Heller, Diane and Heller, Laurence (2001). Crash Course. Porges, Stephen (2011). The Polyvagal Theory. Ross, Gina (2007). Beyond the Trauma Vortex. Sapolsky, Robert (2004). Why Zebras Don t Get Ulcers. Scaer, Robert (2014). The Body Bears the Burden. Scaer, Robert (2005). The Trauma Spectrum. Siegel, Daniel (2008). The Neurobiology of We. Siegel, Daniel (2001). The Developing Mind van der Kolk, Bessel (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. van der Kolk, Bessel (1996). Traumatic Stress. David Baldwin s Trauma Information Pages:

21 Apply now for the SE Professional Training at traumahealing.org