11/03/2026
I have been away this last week for my final Somatic Experiencing training.
3 years of exploring how the body holds onto traumatic events, exploring patterns that suppress " life energy ", and most importantly exploring how supporting another and myself through a relational therapeutic setting can open up the door to a new felt sense, not staying stuck in " fight, flight, freeze", allowing vulnerability to be present while the body stays soft, and not bracing.
Why is all of this so important in the Counselling work?
For me, I see myself and others mask emotions through small braces like jaw tightening, shoulders pulled up near my ears, etc.
Over time these symptoms can become chronic, and can continue to impact our health.
Do you wake up in the morning stiff and not rested? Maybe you feel like your joints ache all the time?
Gut issues? Migraines?
I can list endless symptoms....
Horses in my eyes are Somatic Experiencing, and what I mean by that is, they are living in the felt sense.
That primal instinct, that us humans are often so disconnected from, because the world we live in is very overwhelming, and it encourages us to be in our heads, and not in our body's.
However long term.... ignoring the signs, it can make us sick.
Have you ever been sick as soon as your holiday starts?
These past 3 years have been another life changing time for me.
I " fell" into this morality, due to ongoing lower back problems. I even contemplated surgery, as I learnt more and more about my lifetime of patterns, brace and coping strategies, I have been able to let go of the things that are not supportive. Was it hard in times? Absolutely!
Have I completely managed to flip the coin? Not at all!
But I now have a deeper felt sense of calm, confident and rested in me.
I'm not constantly " high jacked " by my emotions, but more so able to witness them and breathe.
I'm forever grateful for the amazing people that journey'd with me.
Over 60 students met over 3 years ago, twice a year 6 days together.
The atmosphere was intense.
What on earth had we signed up for?
And to end our last week with a feeling of expansion ( more room for the good stuff), trust, fun and laughter.
Over 20 assistants journey'd with us, guiding us, moving with us and giving space when needed.
The end of an era for the 2 organisers, and yet the beginning of something new.
And of course 3 lecturers, flown in from overseas, teaching us in very different styles, but with so much care and compassion.
Our final night saw us dance, cry, laugh and share sides of us we had no idea excisted.
Talents got revealed that left us in awe.
To integrate and celebrate the experience I was blessed to share a little down time after with my Equine Assisted Therapy and SE buddy Donna Rose, who I'm blessed to call a friend.
27km coastal walks really has us appreciate our bodies.🤣
I'm excited to share this modality with clients, and with the support of the horses.
Key Aspects of Somatic Experiencing:
Bottom-Up Approach: Instead of top-down (cognitive) therapy, SE works from the body up to the brain to change how traumatic experiences are stored.
Trauma as Physical: Trauma is viewed not as the event itself, but as the accumulated stress trapped in the body and nervous system.
Techniques: Practitioners use techniques like grounding, breathing, and "titration" (breaking down traumatic memories into small, manageable pieces) to help clients release tension safely.
Goals: The aim is to increase resilience, reduce hyperarousal, and resolve symptoms like anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
https://traumahealing.org/se-101/
