Somatic Experiencing Therapy ®
Have you felt “frozen” or “stuck” following a traumatic or stressful experience? Maybe you feel constantly anxious but unaware of the source of your anxiety? Or perhaps you suffer from chronic headaches, muscle tension, and restlessness?
You tried talk therapy and tried to reframe and challenge cognitive distortions. Still, it left you feeling more confused, frustrated, and disconnected. And you may think that there is no help for you, that your feelings of pain are only a result of your incompetence and weakness?
If you or a family member have struggled with any of the above, Somatic Experiencing can help! SE is a gentle and proven method of accessing overt or hidden traumas in adults, teens, and children. Using Somatic Experiencing for trauma, I can guide you to find and release the source of your anxiety, depression, or mood swings.
What is Somatic Experiencing for Trauma?
Somatic Experiencing is a very effective technique that enables me, as your trauma therapist, to introduce small parts of the trauma, while carefully monitoring your physical reaction. Somatic Experience, developed by Peter Levine Ph.D., is a natural way to tap into the source of your trauma, and then to release this energy, integrating the physical and emotional symptoms. This allows the trauma to be recognized and released. Science has discovered that emotions are stored not only in the brain but also physically in the body. As your somatic experiencing therapist, I tap into the autonomic nervous system, where trauma is stored; I guide you to observe your thoughts and feelings, release them, and heal the trauma.
As I help you heal, the symptoms the trauma has caused (depression, lethargy, pain, physical ailments) are also healed.
We are made to heal.
Peter Levine Ph.D. developed this approach studying wild animals, who are constantly threatened with death. Animals in the wild express their natural fight or flight instinct and do not experience PTSD; they release these emotions naturally, such as through shaking and trembling. In the human world, we do the opposite; for example, a loved one or boss shouts at you. A natural response would be to talk back, fight, scream, or walk away. Instead, you might listen and nod, suppressing these natural emotions which become trapped in your body. These suppressed feelings are then attached to negative or counterproductive thoughts such as “I’m worthless; I can’t do this; I always mess up; I‘ll never get ahead; my boss doesn’t like me” which often intensify your depression, anxiety, pain or other symptoms. SE can help you develop tools to access and release the trauma.
At other times you may experience too much; you may go into a “freeze.” The fear of this trauma feeds your thoughts and continues the cyclical pattern of negativity and fear; you are literally “stuck” or “frozen” emotionally. I will guide you through this process to heal at the root and move past these challenges!
Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Phoenix, AZ Helps
Minimizing the trauma experience blocks healing. You may feel ashamed, and think “my trauma wasn’t that bad.” I will never judge the validity of your trauma, and I will support you to have self-compassion. As your therapist and collaborator, I accept your trauma as valid and as your trauma; I will gently guide you through Somatic Experiencing therapy, healing, and releasing your trauma so that you and your loved ones can live in a connected, loving, peaceful environment.
Who can Somatic Experiencing Therapy benefit?
Those who have suffered physical trauma (a car accident, a fall, concussion, physical abuse, an attack)
People who have suffered cumulative long term stress;
Those who have experienced racial or intergenerational trauma;
Adults, children, or teens who suffer from early attachment traumas which are stored in the body and unconscious brain, such as grief, traumatic births, childhood illness, divorce, prolonged separation from parents, prolonged illness of the parents such as cancer, mental illness.
Begin Somatic Experiencing Therapy in Phoenix, AZ!
Somatic Experiencing Therapy is different from traditional “talk” therapies and is more effective. At my online therapy practice in Phoenix, AZ, you’ll work with me, your skilled therapist. I can help you tap into traumas from long ago, many of which you may not even be aware of. me, and begin the healing process! I look forward to talking with you soon! If you’re ready to begin working with a caring trauma therapist today, follow these simple steps:
Meet with Tahirih, a skilled, in-person, or online therapist
Begin to process the feelings that connect your mind and body today!
Other Mental Health Services Tahirih Herrera Provides:
Somatic Experiencing Therapy isn’t the only service I offer in my online Phoenix, AZ practice. Other areas of focus and mental health services Tahirih Herrera, LCSW Counseling provides include therapy for children, anxiety treatment, pre-teen therapy, EMDR, grief and loss counseling and, therapy for teens. Additional treatment modalities I provide include Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, brainspotting, and DBT. All these services are available via online therapy in Arizona. Therefore, you can begin counseling online from Tuscon, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, or anywhere in the state. Begin therapy and start living your life to the fullest soon!
“The body remembers what the conscious mind tries to forget.”
– Martha Manning, Ph.D.