Connect to your innate ability to heal.

Online Somatic Experiencing therapy in Tucson and throughout AZ, WA, OR, MA, and CT.

Are you tired of the struggle and sense that something deeper is going on?

You have tried talk therapy in the past, and, although helpful, you can’t shake the feeling that something else is missing, something deeper. You may have some insight as to how some of your past experiences have shaped you and you may have made healthier changes over the years. BUT… despite all of the awareness and the tools you have learned, your day to day continues to be a battle. You often find yourself wondering why it is so hard to feel good. 

Sound familiar?

Constantly tired

Trouble sleeping

Lethargic / Apathetic / “Checked out”

Mind racing / Focus issues

Restless / Inability to relax

Struggling with motivation

Overreacting to daily stressors / Overstimulated

You are right… Something deeper is going on and there is a good chance that Somatic Experiencing therapy can help!

“We must learn to trust our body’s internal wisdom, as it holds the key to our healing”

― Peter A. Levine

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a gentle, organic, and body-centered method that assists you in reconnecting to your natural ways to heal, and re-establish nervous system regulation.

  • Abuse, assaults, betrayal, illness, medical procedures, loss, divorce, accidents and injuries, childhood abandonment and neglect, childhood stress (bullying, dysfunctional family system), and accumulated chronic stress

After decades of research, it has been recognized and understood that you are designed to employ self protective fight or flight response when faced with threat. And, your body is designed to release trauma, shock, grief, and acute stress once you feel safe again. 

However, when you are not able to complete natural fight or flight survival responses or have been over stressed for long periods of time, you miss the opportunity to fully process and release survival energies. The survival energies become trapped and your nervous system will get “Stuck”. We will find our bodies chronically living in a state of survival.

Somatic Experiencing is a method that is designed to tap into our innate, mammal-like instincts. This intervention assists us in connecting to the intelligence of our body, guides us in moving through incomplete protective survival responses, and reminds the body that it is OK to relax and feel safe again, helping us to return to a more balanced state of being.

Together,

We will explore how fight, flight, and freeze responses are showing up for you.

I  will take some time to teach you key concepts and we’ll take small steps to help you connect with your body. Ensuring you feel supported and comfortable throughout the process is key.

As you gain more awareness, you may begin to experience the difference between what we call “activation” (shallow breath, tension, joyful, excited) and “deactivation” (calm, relaxed, deeper breath, heavy, tired). You can learn to identify organic impulses (movement, shifting, speaking) and allow emotions (anger, sadness, gratitude). This method can lead to natural releases (heat, tears, subtle trembling, breath). Over time, you may start to experience your nervous system move more naturally through these states, helping you truly feel a difference.

  • Signs of regulation may include a clearer mind, improved memory, increased energy, and more motivation. There may be better ability to focus, reduced reactivity to stressors, and improved sleep. Attraction to colors may increase, appetite can become healthier, and food may taste better, accompanied by improved digestion.

    Additional indicators of regulation can include a balanced mood, a greater sense of being centered and grounded, deeper breathing, and laughter and smiling more often. Individuals may become more adventurous and spontaneous, experience improvements in health issues, and find communication easier. Over time, there may be less reliance on “tools” and an overall sense of well-being.

What to expect

Phase One: Learn and Prepare

In this phase, you'll build a foundation of understanding by learning key concepts, developing a “basket” of coping skills, creating a self-care plan, and begin to connect with your body.

Phase Two: Less Talk, More Somatic Experiencing

Together, we’ll focus on identifying and experiencing a range of sensations—pleasant ones like warmth, calm, and lightness, as well as unpleasant ones such as tension, tightness, and heaviness. We’ll also explore moments of activation (excitement, agitation, tension) and deactivation (relief, relaxation, decreased tension).
I will guide you in exploring different sensations, imagery, body movements, emotions, and their meanings. This process can help your nervous system begin to naturally transition through different states.

Phase Three: Healing Trauma

When you’re ready and if desired, we’ll gently allow past experiences to surface, creating a space for your body, mind, and spirit to renegotiate and process these memories at a pace that feels right for you. This work can help you leave the past behind and move forward with optimism.

What we’ll work on

Somatic experiencing can help you…

  • Heal stored stress and trauma in your body.

  • Decrease anxious and depressed symptoms. 

  • Grow a deeper connection to your body and its intuitive wisdom.

  • Increase resiliency.

  • Reconnect to presence and life energy.

It’s possible to finally experience the relief you’ve been searching for and improve your well-being, naturally.

Questions?

FAQs

  • Somatic Experiencing is a type of Somatic Therapy. While Somatic Therapy has origins dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Somatic Experiencing was developed by Dr. Peter Levine, who began his work in this area during the 1970s. Dr. Levine’s research has given us more insights into how the body processes and releases trauma, as well as interventions to support us in the healing process.

  • You can read more about Somatic Experiencing here:

    https://traumahealing.org/se-101/

    You can read more about Dr. Peter Levine and his work here: 

    https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/about-peter

    Here is an episode of Dr. Peter Levine explaining Somatic Experiencing on “Conversation with Alanis Morissette” podcast:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDK09A49tRU

    Here is a list of the books written and co-authored by Dr. Peter Levine:

    https://www.somaticexperiencing.com/se-books

  • Yes, it can be very effective. However, the time it takes to notice a difference varies based on each person’s unique needs and complexities.  It's important to take a personalized approach and allow for as many sessions as necessary to support the healing process.

  • Yes! Following the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, many licensed practitioners transitioned to telehealth, in line with CDC and licensing board recommendations. Through experience, we’ve learned that Somatic Experiencing is effective when applied through an online platform.