An Introduc'on to Soma'c Experiencing (SE )

Transcription

1 An Introduc'on to Soma'c Experiencing (SE ) A Body- Mind Approach to Healing Trauma & Increasing Resiliency Special thanks to Brad Kammer for sharing much of this PowerPoint Presenta'on with us.

2 Dr. Peter A. Levine Devoted: 40+ years studying and researching the physiology of stress (fight, flight & freeze ) responses Asked the burning ques8on: Why is it that animals in the wild, who are repeatedly exposed to life- threatening events, don t develop the symptoms of PTSD like humans? Discovered: All animals (including humans) have a natural immunity to the long- term, debilita'ng effects of trauma. Peter A. Levine, PhD Founder of Soma@c Experiencing

3 Overwhelmed or threatened, animals go through predictable stages of responding to danger via fight, flight & freeze In order to op8mize chances for survival, the body: Ac8vates implicit, hardwired survival sequences Mobilizes high levels of energy to defend itself Shuts- down unnecessary bodily func'ons ADer threat has passed, animals return to normal func8oning by: Discharging survival energy Integra8ng excess ac'vated energy

4 SE teaches us to tap into our inherent animal nature, and come back into healthy self- regula'on aaer a trauma'c event. SE is a body- oriented psychotherapy which offers: ü A comprehensive understanding of trauma'c stress and human stress behavior ü A framework to assess where a person is stuck in the fight, flight and/or freeze responses ü Clinical tools to resolve these fixated states, transform old pa`erns, and strengthen resiliency

5 What is trauma? Trauma is in the nervous system, not the event. Trauma happens when the organism is strained beyond its adapta'onal capacity to regulate. The (trauma'zed) nervous system disorganizes, breaks down and cannot reset itself. Peter Levine, founder of Experiencing Trauma Therapy First Na'ons cultural knowledge understands trauma to be a disconnec'on between the self and spirit. The spirit has lea or has been jolted from the body. The work then is to help bring the spirit back. Anita Charleson- Touchie & Dea Parsanishi, Trauma & Culture, October 2014

6 Think of some of the people you have met who have experienced trauma. As you think about them, what are you no'cing in your body? Hot or cold? Tight or loose? Movement or s'llness? Energy or quiet? A par'cular sensa'on or shape or color?

7 What is healing? From a First Na'on s cultural perspec've, it is, Bringing the spirit back, reconnec'ng and maintaining a posi've connec'on and balance of self, family, culture and nature. Anita Charleson- Touchie & Dea Parsanishi, Trauma & Culture, October 2014 The opportunity to engage, complete, and resolve the body s ins'nctual (survival) responses. This resets the nervous system, restores inner balance, enhances resilience to stress, and increases people s vitality, equanimity, and capacity to ac'vely engage in life. Soma@c Experiencing Website,

8 Think about healing, People you know who have healed Things people do that help them heal People you know that help you heal Places you ve gone that help you heal As you think about them, what are you no'cing in your body? Hot or cold? Tight or loose? Movement or s'llness? Energy or quiet? A par'cular sensa'on or shape or color?

9 Why do we listen to the body? It s the voice of the nervous system Helps us know what s happening in the nervous system Tells us where we are stuck Tells us what is unresolved And tells us how we can heal

10 I d like to tell a story About how we survive And about how we sometimes get stuck.

11 Ins'nctual Survival Strategies Polyvagal Theory Stephen Porges Social Engagement Lower energy state Looking to others for help and body belief that people are helpful Fight and/or Flight Higher energy state Ac'vely trying to protect and body belief that I can and should act Freeze Lowest energy state Passively trying to protect/hide/disappear and body belief that I can t and shouldn t act

12 What are you no'cing now? Social engagement Fight or Flight Freeze

13 The Body Keeps the Score Beyond the Talking Cure Dr. Bessel van der Kolk introduced to the mainstream that talk- therapy alone was insufficient for trauma and stress- related disorders.

14 Want to Learn More? q Reflect on how the SE model might more effec'vely inform your work with trauma q Observe the body and be curious! q Learn more about Soma8c Experiencing ü Read SE books and publica'ons (see reference list) ü Watch SE videos (YouTube) Sign- up for the SE Professional Training at traumahealing.org

15 SE Demo with Ray: Working with Iraqi War Veteran Watch at: h`p:// dr- peter- levine- demonstrates- soma'c- experiencing

16 Soma8c Experiencing Professional Training Beginning Level 3 Modules of 4 days each Basic SE Theory & Techniques Understanding and iden'fying the physiological basis of trauma Working with sensa'on Building body- awareness & applied mindfulness Learning to iden'fy, track and normalize autonomic shias Iden'fy and re- establish orien'ng and defensive responses Prac'cing stabiliza'on & regula'on skills Integrate SE into ongoing prac'ce Session and Consulta8on Requirements: 4 personal sessions 4 case consulta'ons (individual and/or group)

17 Intermediate Level 3 Modules of 4 days each Specific Traumas with Targeted Interven8ons Global High Intensity Trauma (e.g., pre & perinatal trauma) Inescapable A`ack Physical Injury/Surgery Emo'onal Trauma Natural Disasters Witnessing Horror War, Torture, Ritual Abuse Social/Transgenera'onal Trauma Session & Consulta8on Requirements 4 personal sessions 6 case consulta'ons

18 Advanced Level 2 Modules of 6 days each Medical Condi8ons, Syndromes and Complex Trauma Symptoms Rela'onship between trauma & various clinical syndromes The Polyvagal Theory Special Topics (e.g., working with infants/children, shock in eyes) SE Bodywork Deepening tracking and regula'on skills Further integra'on of SE theory & prac'ce The Art of SE Session and Consulta8on Requirements 4 personal sessions 8 case consulta'ons (individual and/or group)

19 Upcoming SE Professional Trainings Beginning I dates Bri8sh Columbia, Qualicum Beach June 5-8, 2015 Alberta, Edmonton June 26-29, 2015 Saskatchewan, Saskatoon May 22-25, 2015 Quebec, Montreal September 25-28, 2015 Nova Sco8a, Halifax May 22-25, 2015 And please check for more trainings worldwide

20 References, Suggested Reading & Links Heller, Laurence and Lapierre, Aline (2012). Healing Developmental Trauma. Kammer, Brad (2004). Trauma & Masters Thesis. Levine, Peter (2010). In an Unspoken Voice. Levine, Peter (2004). Trauma Healing. Levine, Peter (1997). Waking the Tiger. Levine, Peter and Kline, Maggie (2006). Trauma Through a Child s Eyes. Poole Heller, Diane and Heller, Laurence (2001). Crash Course. Porges, Stephen (2011). The Polyvagal Theory. Ross, Gina (2007). Beyond the Trauma Vortex. Sapolsky, Robert (2004). Why Zebras Don t Get Ulcers. Scaer, Robert (2014). The Body Bears the Burden. Scaer, Robert (2005). The Trauma Spectrum. Siegel, Daniel (2008). The Neurobiology of We. Siegel, Daniel (2001). The Developing Mind van der Kolk, Bessel (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. van der Kolk, Bessel (1996). Trauma@c Stress. David Baldwin s Trauma Informa8on Pages: h`p:// pages.com/

21 Apply now for the SE Professional Training at traumahealing.org