What is Somatic Experiencing®?

Somatic Experiencing (SE™) is psychobiological trauma resolution. It is a potent method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress. It is the life’s work of Dr. Peter Levine, resulting from his multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, together over 45 years of successful clinical application.

How does SE™ work?

SE™ is a biophysiological approach to healing stress and trauma. Peter Levine has said that trauma does not rest in the event but in the individual’s nervous system, a trained therapist, like Bonnie supports the client in their experience of a more “coherent” and “resilient” nervous system.

What is a typical a typical session like?

The SE™ trauma resolution method does not require the traumatized individual to re-tell or re-live the traumatic event. Instead, it offers the opportunity to engage, complete and resolve-in a slow and supported way- the body’s instinctual fight, flight and freeze responses. This resets the nervous system, restores inner balance, enhances resilience to stress, increases people’s vitality, equanimity and capacity to engage in life. Bonnie offers an environment of impartial and compassionate support to facilitate the release of stress and trauma throughout your body.

How long does SE™ take?

The length of time and number of sessions in which the client will visit the practitioner will depend on several factors, including the severity and duration of the stress and trauma(s) and the degree to which the stress and trauma has affected the individual’s nervous system. A conversation with Bonnie in the initial session may be helpful in providing this kind of information.

“Trauma is a fact of life. It does Not, however, have to be a life sentence.” Dr. Peter Levine.

When Bonnie is not working, you will find her dancing, Flamenco, Tango, Cha-cha’s, Rumba’s, and Waltzes. Bonnie studies with the Royal Academy of Dance (England), classical Ballet Training & Pedagogy from the ages of 4 to 20. Bonnie was a dance performer, danced and trained with Les Ballet Jazz in Montreal, Quebec. While dancing, she has gained the ability to utilize subtle body energetics into teaching how to increase your bodily vitality. Bonnie has a devoted meditation and yoga practice for over 25 years. When not dancing, you will find her in backyard gardening and watching wildlife from herons, birds. She loves her spouse and their cat Claire.

Bonnie has a deep respect for the work of Dr. Stephen Porges and Dr. Peter Levine for his psychobiological method for resolving trauma symptoms and chronic stress. Many of her clients have voiced experiencing a restored inner balance, increased resilience to stress, increased vitality, equanimity and capacity to actively engage in life. We invite you to contact Bonnie at Somatic Resilience & Renegotiation at BonnieOlechno.com.