Somatic Experiencing Therapy

The evidence base is growing; SE is widely used clinically and often integrated with other evidence-based therapies. Your clinician can explain how SE fits your plan.

Recover in Peace

Somatic Experiencing® (SE) Therapy: A Gentle, Body-Based Approach to Healing

If you’re in crisis or at risk of harming yourself, call 988 (US) or your local emergency number. This page is informational and not a diagnosis.

Somatic Experiencing Therapy At a Glance

What is Somatic Experiencing Therapy: A body-oriented, trauma-informed therapy that helps the nervous system complete and release stress responses.
Who it may help: People living with trauma-related symptoms (including CPTSD/PTSD), chronic tension, dissociation, hyperarousal, or shutdown.
How it works: Builds awareness of sensations and impulses in tiny, safe steps (often called titration and pendulation) to restore regulation.

What we Offer

What Is Somatic Experiencing® Therapy?

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a trauma-resolution approach developed by Peter A. Levine, PhD. SE focuses on the autonomic nervous system (fight/flight/freeze/fawn) and uses body awareness to help you move from chronic survival states toward safety and flexibility. Rather than retelling every detail of events, SE works with present-moment sensations, movement impulses, and resources so your system can renegotiate stuck responses.

Good to know

SE can be used on its own or combined with therapies like EMDR, CPT, IFS, and DBT skills.

SE is paced and collaborative, meaning you stay in choice the entire time.

Learn the Process

How Somatic Experiencing Works

How it Works

Tracking: Notice subtle sensations (warmth, pressure, breath) without judgment.
Resourcing: Find what feels safe or steady (posture, breath, imagery, supportive people).
Titration: Approach difficult sensations in tiny doses to avoid overwhelm.
Pendulation: Gently swing attention between comfort and discomfort, building capacity.
Completion: Allow small movements or breaths the body “wanted” to make during past stress.
Integration: Pause, rest, and notice changes—helping the nervous system learn “I can come back.”

What a Session Looks Like

Length & format: 50–60 minutes; in-person or telehealth.
Tone: Calm, slow, consent-led. No exposure or retelling required to start.

Flow you can expect

Check-in & resourcing: What feels OK right now?
Gentle inquiry: Notice neutral or pleasant sensations; then approach tougher sensations briefly.
Micro-experiments: Breath, posture, eye gaze, or small movements; sometimes grounding objects.
Completion & rest: Notice settling (yawns, sighs, warmth) or clarity.
Wrap-up: Name takeaways; plan simple home practices.

Touch is not required in SE. If touch is discussed, it’s with clear consent & boundaries. Many SE sessions use no touch at all.

Techniques You Might Use

Orienting (look around the room, locate exits/windows)
Grounding (feet on floor, pressure into chair, wall press)
Breath lengthening (longer exhales)
Sensation labeling (“tight,” “flutter,” “warm”)
Movement completion (slowly finishing a startle/defend/turning motion)
Imagery (safe place/resource image; boundary imagery)

Potential Benefits

More settled baseline; fewer spikes of panic, freeze, or collapse
Improved sleep and ability to downshift at night
Less dissociation; quicker recovery after triggers
Clearer boundaries and capacity to say no
Reduction in somatic tension (jaw, shoulders, gut)

Evidence base is evolving; results vary by person. SE is one part of a comprehensive plan

Our Treatment

Goal of the Somatic Experiencing

The goal of somatic experiencing therapy is to help individuals regulate their nervous system and resolve traumatic memories, leading to improved overall well-being. By focusing on the physical sensations of the body, the therapy helps individuals feel more safe, in control, and empowered, allowing them to overcome trauma and other stress-related disorders.

What we Offer

SE for Depression and Anxiety

SE may help with depression and anxiety by restoring nervous-system flexibility, improving sleep, and reducing body-level distress. For many, SE works best alongside psychotherapy, skills training, and, when appropriate, medication.

gET THE HELP YOU NEED

Is Somatic Experiencing Right for You?

SE may be a fit if you:

Feel stuck despite talk therapy alone
Experience dissociation, emotional flashbacks, or chronic body tension
Want a gentle, non-retraumatizing pace with strong consent and choice

Talk with a clinician if you have active psychosis, current substance withdrawal, or complex medical issues. SE can often be adapted within a broader safety plan.

Experience Our Expert Care

How Amend Integrates Somatic Experiencing

At Amend, SE is offered within a trauma-informed, evidence-led program:

Paired with skills (DBT/CBT), sleep interventions, and paced trauma therapies
Women’s CPTSD pathway available, with family/couples involvement (when safe)
Aftercare: simple daily regulation practices; handoffs to outpatient SE-informed clinicians

Trust the Experts

Four Everyday Somatic Practices

Orienting (30–60s): Name 3 things you see, 2 you hear, 1 you feel.
Feet + Exhale: Press feet into floor; inhale 4, exhale 6 (x5)
Wall Press (20–30s): Hands on wall; steady pressure; release and notice.
Boundary phrase: “I’ll need to check and get back to you.” (Pair body with voice.)

Small, frequent reps build capacity. If distress increases, pause and speak to your clinician.

Learn the Research

Frequently Asked Questions About Somatic Experiencing

How fast does SE work?

It’s individualized. Many people notice small changes early (e.g., easier exhale, less startle). Larger shifts build over weeks to months.

Do I have to talk about my trauma?

Not to begin. SE starts with present-moment sensations and resources; processing can come later and at your pace.

Is SE the same as “somatic yoga” or bodywork?

SE is a clinical therapy approach delivered by trained practitioners. Gentle movement may be used, but SE is not a yoga or massage modality.

Can SE be done online?

Yes. Many SE skills translate to telehealth (orienting, grounding, breath, imagery).

Insurance Options

Understand Your Coverage – Fast & Confidential

Amend is redefining what mental health treatment looks like with a team of highly experienced and licensed healthcare professionals focused solely on you and your recovery. While insurance may only partially cover your stay at Amend, our team is ready to discuss available private pay options with you. Please note that Amend does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, Kaiser, HMO, or EPO plans. We only accept plans with out of network benefits (PPO).

Helping Clients Everyday

Stories of Success and Recovery

Our client testimonials offer a window into the real-life impact of treatment at Amend Malibu. Our clients share what it’s like to engage in the process, build trust with our providers, and see the potential for meaningful change.

Anna H.

A small community in Malibu, this is a group of individuals dedicated to making a difference in patient lives. Each touch point from admissions to specialists, the clinicians, the kitchen, to the clinical assistants you are handled with love and support. Managing two decades of treatment resistant depression and working through burnout from an intense performance based career, I needed a place to get grounded as well as inundate myself with professionals who could help.

Marlon R.

Absolutely stunning properties in a prime yet private location. The treatment environment matters and I was highly impressed. The care environment was clean and organized. The staff were friendly and dressed professionally. The chefs were cordial and accommodating. There was easy access to many tranquil activities as well as fitness activities. The frequency of the individual therapy session was top notch up to 4 times a week plus weekly virtual visits with psychiatry and psychological testing. This type of clinical focus is rare. This is a great example of premium treatment.

Goli S.

I helped facilitate care for a dear friend at Amend. I was skeptical about any mental health program, but was blown away by the level of care at the facility. The whole team went above and beyond to ensure comfort and the best level of care in a way that is indescribable. I really do not have anything negative to say. Every aspect of the program and facility is 100/10. I would highly recommend Amend to anyone struggling with mental health.

Care You can trust

Affiliations & Accreditations

Amend Treatment maintains measurable outcome results in the top 5–15% among premier residential treatment centers, nationwide, in 2025.

Start Your Healing Journey

You Don’t Have to Navigate This Alone

Recovery begins the moment you are truly seen and supported. Whether you are managing complex trauma, depression, or co-occurring disorders, we provide the expert clinical guidance and serene environment necessary to reclaim your future.

Your journey toward healing starts with a confidential conversation. Please fill out the form, and our admissions team will reach out to discuss how we can support your recovery.

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