What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing® (SE) is a body-based therapy developed by Dr. Peter Levine. It works with the nervous system and not just the mind to gently release stored survival responses like fight, flight, and freeze.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, SE helps you feel safe in your body again, without needing to relive the past. It supports healing at the root - not just symptom management.
How Somatic Experiencing Can Help You
SE can support those experiencing:
-
Anxiety, panic, or constant worry
-
Chronic stress and emotional overwhelm
-
Burnout or shutdown
-
Trauma responses from childhood or adult experiences
-
Difficulty feeling present, grounded, or connected
By working directly with your nervous system, you can start to:
-
Reduce reactivity and improve emotional regulation
-
Reconnect with your body and your boundaries
-
Experience more energy, resilience, and aliveness
-
Transform automatic stress responses into conscious, regulated actions
Why I trained in Somatic Experiencing
It was a difficult life event that led me to Somatic Experiencing. I was receiving psychotherapy at the time but it wasn't helping just talking through my story. I would wake up each morning with my stomach churning, I was struggling to eat, focus and be present with my kids - and none of the cognitive strategies I had learned helped. I knew I needed a bottom up, body based therapy to help me with the somatic symptoms I was experiencing.
I remember my first session with my practitioner and being introduced to voō breathing. As I was guided through it, I felt a sense of settling and presence that I had never experienced before. Even now, as a Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I deeply believe in continuing to invest in my own personal sessions and supervision something I’ve been committed to for over four years. I know what it’s like to sit in the client chair, again and again, and because of that, I feel incredibly honoured to sit alongside my own clients as they embark on this powerful and transformative journey.
Why Choose Online or In-Person SE Therapy?
Online sessions allow you to work from the comfort of your own home, providing:
-
Privacy and discretion
-
Reduced nervous system load - no travel, no rushing
-
Flexibility - schedule around busy life
-
Deeper integration - your environment supports the nervous system shifts
In-person sessions in North Shields offer hands-on observation of subtle nervous system cues and embodied support. Both online and in-person sessions are fully trauma-informed and relationally attuned.
How SE Differs from Traditional Talk Therapy
Unlike talk therapy that focuses primarily on exploring stories or beliefs, Somatic Experiencing:
-
Works directly with the body and nervous system
-
Uses gentle tracking of sensations, impulses, and regulation
-
Supports release of trapped stress and trauma safely and gradually
-
Enhances resilience, self-regulation, and presence
This makes SE especially effective for those who feel stuck despite years of traditional therapy or self-help.
My Approach and Credentials
-
I combine SE with trauma-informed relational support, tailoring every session to your unique nervous system needs.
-
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner – SOS International (2022–2025)
-
Compassionate Inquiry Level 1 – Dr Gabor Maté (2021)
-
Ongoing supervision and professional code of ethics
-
Online and in-person sessions across the UK
With SE, healing isn’t just mental, it’s embodied. You’ll feel the difference in your body, mind, and relationships.
Who Can Benefit from Somatic Experiencing?
SE is suitable for anyone experiencing:
-
Trauma, stress, or anxiety
-
Overwhelm or burnout
-
Emotional dysregulation or shutdown
-
Difficulty connecting with themselves or others
It is particularly useful for parents, professionals, and high-performing individuals who want to regulate their nervous system and create a calmer, more resilient life.
