Somatic Experiencing (SE™) was developed by Peter Levine, Ph.D., in response to his observations of wild prey animals. He observed gazelles innately regulating or "calming" their nervous systems by naturally discharging high levels of energy designed to fuel automatic flight, fight, and freeze behaviors. Fleeing, fighting, or freezing can be characterized as instinctual survival behavior in both wild animals and humans. SE grows awareness of body sensations to help people gently"renegotiate" and heal symptoms rather than re-live or re-enact trauma. This can be done without talking about difficult trauma details. SE guides a gentle connection with the body's "felt sense." Any thwarted movement and past survival energies are safely and gradually experienced and discharged. SE may employ touch in support of the renegotiation process. SE “titrates” experience (breaks down into small, incremental steps), rather than evoking catharsis - which can overwhelm the nervous system. (Dave Berger, 2022, https://daveberger.net/clinical-practice) “The Somatic Experiencing approach facilitates the completion of self-protective motor responses and the release of thwarted survival energy bound in the body, thus addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms. This is approached by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions.” (Somatic Experiencing International, https://traumahealing.org/se-101/) SOMATIC EXPERIENCING REFERENCES: Levine, P., 2010, In an Unspoken Voice:  How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness.  North Atlantic Press.  Levine, P. and Frederick, A., 1997, Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma: The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences. Berkeley, CA: N. Atlantic Books. Kline, M. and Levine, P., 2007, Trauma Through A Child’s Eyes:  Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing.  Berkeley, CA:  North Atlantic Books. For further references and information online about SE go to http://www.traumahealing.com