Past traumatic experiences may remain alive in your body’s nervous system today, manifesting as persistent tension, unease, or a sense of being perpetually on guard. We can talk through the narrative of what happened, but it’s equally important to gently explore what your body is holding onto—whether it’s, for example, a tight jaw, shallow breath, or that “on edge” feeling that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause. Sometimes our body’s survival responses from overwhelming events become “stuck,” and by becoming more aware of these physical sensations, we can begin to help your nervous system find a new sense of safety and release what’s been held for so long.

In Somatic Experiencing, the “bottom-up” approach prioritizes the body’s sensations and nervous system regulation over the cognitive understanding of a traumatic event. As mentioned, traditional “top-down” talk therapy primarily focuses on thoughts and emotions, but this can be insufficient for trauma work because the brain’s rational, or prefrontal cortex, function can go offline during overwhelming events. Since traumatic experiences are stored in the more primitive, survival-based areas of the brain and in the body itself, Somatic Experiencing begins by gently guiding a client to notice and track physical sensations (such as tingling, tension, or warmth) linked to past distress. By working directly with these bodily cues, a client can safely access and gradually release the “trapped” energy from an incomplete fight, flight, or freeze response. This process allows the nervous system to regain its natural rhythm and for the body to experience a sense of safety and completion, which then makes it possible for the mind to integrate the experience in a more adaptive way.