Somatic Experiencing, or SE, is an approach Peter Levine, a leader in trauma treatment, began developing in the 1960s.

Seeing the wisdom of the natural world and especially that of our mammalian counterparts, Peter asked why is it that animals in the wild go through so many traumatic and potentially life-threatening events, and yet don’t carry signs of PTSD or trauma. Yet humans do.

Tuning in with shamanic practices and principles, Peter followed this question, which led to the development of the intuitive, transcendent approach we call SE.

SE teaches that trauma is primarily a physiological event that occurs when our natural protective tendencies, for whatever reason, are over-ridden.

Using examples in nature, we find that it is possible to locate where trauma is stored within the body, and how it manifests. From there, we utilize various approaches to get the body back to it’s naturally free, wild, and balanced state.

Daniel has much experience with individuals and populations with extensive and complex trauma. He has a Masters in Occupational Therapy from LSU in New Orleans and a Bachelors in Creative Writing from the New School University in New York City. He is currently Intermediate Level in Somatic Experiencing with Somatic Experiencing International (SEI). He has completed trainings in Qigong and numerous other areas including Wellness and the Personal Narrative and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). Decades-long immersion in creative and expressive arts adds depth to therapeutic processes via playfulness, levity, and curiosity.

Totally fine and normal. We’ll resource you with sensory approaches and use alternate approaches as indicated. If increasing body comfort/awareness is a goal, we’ll work toward it gradually.

You probably won’t know until you try.

This is a gentle, non-invasive approach. If and when something difficult surfaces, we’ll slow things way down, and only get momentarily closer as you are comfortable.

If you want to learn more you can check out the book Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine, which can be a helpful introductory text.

This is difficult to do, because I’ll be checking in with your individual preferences and making you and your needs the center. Are you more comfortable standing? In a chair? On a yoga mat? Lying on a table?

A first session will really be about learning: me about your needs and preferences, and you about my approach, and how that sits with you.

From there we’ll move through a process at your pace. The process usually includes:

Increased attention to felt, present resources

Guided settling

Welcoming what’s present

Supportive therapeutic processes. These may include movement, stillness, therapeutic touch, self-support, sensory exercises, exploration, you name it.

Integration. When your system seems in a good place to integrate, we’ll move into that.

Intention. Typically I’ll help you set intentions for the next hour, and give some tips on how to allow integration to continue in the days following.

This is highly variable and will depend on personal preference. To work on something specific you may want to plan at least 4 visits. To work in more general terms, you can just book based on your perceived need.

No—if you are in crisis, you should call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

If you are not in crisis but are in a period of instability that is having a strong impact on your ability to function, you should reach out to your therapist or primary care provider.

Absolutely.

It’s fine to approach a session seeking nervous system tuning or fine-tuning. This is a great place to work from, and there is plenty to benefit from.

You can send me an email at dlang@thebodyknowstheway.com or call my confidential number at (802) 755-2921 to schedule a chat.

If you are noticing that you are feeling attentive to this website and are tuning in to yourself a bit more than usual, that may be an indication that this is a good fit.

While I can appreciate the functional use of language such as this, and still find myself using it from time to time, I find alternative linguistic frames more helpful.

As someone who truly loves words, I also appreciate their power to suppress and oppress, and the way they have been historically misused.

I find a word like “regulation” uncomfortable when thinking and talking about the body and nervous system. While folks who use them may have the best intentions, I find they miss the central point.

I prefer other language, especially that which helps the individual get what they need.

So I will check in with you, and follow your language, while embedding a frame that allows ideas more akin to awareness, restoration, presence, resonance, attunement, free, playful, wild, fierce, true, and empowerment, to name a few.