Benefits of Attending Somatic Experiencing Events Near You
By Kelsey Hoff
Somatic experiencing therapy has received a lot of buzz in the community of trauma survivors and mental health care providers. Many other types of treatment are “top-down,” which means they begin with your memories and your thoughts. Somatic experiencing is “bottom up,” which means it begins with the trauma stored in your body.
Are you looking to try it for yourself because you’ve heard good things? Or are you hooked and searching for a new provider to help you continue your healing journey? We’ve held a few somatic experiencing events with our community of women trauma survivors, and we’ll definitely be doing more.
The initial research shows promising evidence that somatic experiencing works for both trauma survivors and people who don’t have a history of trauma. More scientific studies are still needed. However, many trauma survivors will tell you this treatment has made a big impact on their lives.
In this post, we’ll talk about what somatic experiencing therapy is and why you should look for somatic experiencing events near you.
What is somatic experiencing therapy?
Somatic experiencing therapy is a type of trauma treatment that directly addresses unresolved trauma in the body. It’s a multidisciplinary technique that combines neuroscience, medical biophysics, indigenous healing practices and much more. It involves visualization, noticing what you’re feeling in your body, and energy-releasing exercises. You gradually approach different aspects of your trauma in a way that feels empowering. Then you discharge energy that’s been trapped in your nervous system, maybe for years. Somatic experiencing essentially keeps you grounded in your body and makes you less reactive to trauma triggers.
Unlike some types of therapy, the back-and-forth between the practitioner and the person receiving treatment plays a key role in somatic experiencing. The provider will prompt you to visualize something or focus on a sensation in your body. Then they observe your reactions and respond accordingly. Though there will be times when you feel activated, it’s important that you feel safe and in control at all times.
Can I do somatic experiencing exercises on my own?
There are exercises based on somatic experiencing principles that you can do on your own. Grounding techniques and calming touch exercises are great for self-care. For exercises that involve activating your nervous system or remembering past trauma, it’s best to have a certified somatic experiencing provider there to guide you. Somatic experiencing is practiced by therapists, counselors, coaches, physical therapists, teachers and other professionals who may work with traumatized individuals. You can seek out one-on-one treatment or find group somatic experiencing therapy events in your area.
Why should I look for somatic experiencing events near me?
Going to a somatic experiencing event near you is a great way to get a taste of what this treatment modality is like. You’ll learn a bit about how it works and try some exercises in a safe environment. If they incorporate a group discussion, you can gain some insight from other people’s experiences as well. Group somatic experiencing events can be a great place to find community and make friends who are on a similar healing journey. Events may be held in person or virtually. An in-person event may provide a more immersive and interactive experience.
A group event may be more accessible or affordable if you don’t have insurance that will cover one-on-one sessions. If you are considering one-on-one somatic experiencing therapy, a group event is a commitment-free way to get an introduction and see if you like it. You’ll get to know the provider and see what their style is like.
Why is somatic experiencing helpful for women trauma survivors?
For many women who have survived abuse and trauma, traumatic stress remains a big part of their lives long after the initial experience. In our society, women are harassed, intimidated and threatened, with very little protection. Unfortunately, experiencing trauma makes it even harder to stand up for yourself. Somatic experiencing therapy is a way to start taking back your energy, your peace of mind and your confidence. When you feel fully grounded and present in your body, you can take up space without feeling guilty. You become a beacon of light for other women who need to heal.
Somatic experiencing therapy events are a powerful part of our programming at &Rise. There’s something special that happens when a group of women gets together to do this transformative healing work. Each person walks away feeling empowered and more connected with herself, and doing these exercises with other women adds a little something extra. Being seen and understood by other women who “get it” is therapeutic in itself. After an hour or so of somatic work, everyone seems a bit more relaxed, and you know you’ve done something great together.
Somatic experiencing therapy events are one of our favorite ways to build community among women trauma survivors. We hold lots of other types of events in addition to our support groups: workshops, sound bath healing events, reiki events, networking, and much more. Check out our Events Page to see what’s coming up.
Are you looking for a community where you can feel seen and supported on your healing journey? You can sit with us. Subscribe to our newsletter for a weekly dose of empowerment, news about our support groups, and notifications for upcoming events.
