January 2012
| What if everybody knew what SE practitioners know about trauma?
In this fascinating 30-minute audio conversation, SE experts Serge Prengel and Anthony 'Twig' Wheeler discussing how the potentially life-changing principles of Somatic Experiencing can be learnt by everyone and anyone. The pair ask - and answer - inspiring questions such as:
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September 2011
| Classic SE book is updated
The Body Bears the Burden: Trauma, Dissociation, and Disease, Second Edition (RRP £30) is the new update of the classic book that explains the reasons behind some of the most common symptoms and conditions that previously defied a medical explanation. Respected author Robert C. Scaer, MD, has diligently simplified the complex medical language that was used in the first edition to make it easier for lay readers and patients to understand-all without sacrificing accuracy. This valuable text presents a new theory of the neurophysiology of traumatic stress and dissociation and includes several updated chapters and new concepts that have been developed since the previous edition.  |
August 2011
| Some places still available on trainings previously posted:
Are we paying attention to ADHD?
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder has been a buzzword in the medical community for the last decade. While theories abound (and continue to evolve) as to the causes and treatment of ADHD, the founder of Somatic Experiencing® sees many parallels to children who have faced trauma. In the five-minute interview below, Peter A. Levine PhD explains that the symptoms of ADHD in some people may be rooted in unresolved traumatic experiences. He explains, for instance, that “hyperarousal and hypervigilance are key earmarks of trauma.” |
July 2011
| SE helping Japanese tsunami victims
(from a report on Japanese TV News Service NHK) SE is being used to help victims of the Japanese tsunami. Ale Duarte, a gifted Somatic Experiencing Practitioner who led trauma disaster teams in the aftermath of the Thailand Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina and Sichuan Province earthquake has now taken SE to Japan. Watch a report on his inspirational work here. Can you trauma-proof your kids? Peter Levine maintains the answer to this question is yes and has co-authored a book on the subject titled Trauma-Proofing Your Kids. The number of anxious, depressed, hyperactive and withdrawn children is staggering—and still growing! Millions have experienced bullying, violence (real or in the media), abuse or sexual molestation. Many other kids have been traumatized from more “ordinary” ordeals such as terrifying medical procedures, accidents, loss and divorce. Trauma-Proofing Your Kids sends a lifeline to parents who wonder how they can help their worried and troubled children now. It offers simple but powerful tools to keep children safe from danger and to help them “bounce back” after feeling scared and overwhelmed. No longer will kids have to be passive prey to predators or the innocent victims of life’s circumstances. In addition to arming parents with priceless protective strategies, best-selling authors Dr. Peter A. Levine and Maggie Kline offer an antidote to trauma and a recipe for creating resilient kids no matter what misfortune has besieged them. Trauma-Proofing Your Kids is a treasure trove of simple-to-follow “stress-busting,” boundary-setting, sensory/motor-awareness activities that counteract trauma’s effect on a child’s body, mind and spirit. Including a chapter on how to navigate the inevitable difficulties that arise during the various ages and stages of development, this ground-breaking book simplifies an often mystifying and complex subject, empowering parents to raise truly confident and joyful kids despite stressful and turbulent times. See Peter A. Levine, PhD talk briefly on this subject in the interview below. |
June 2011
| Booking now - Dr Larry Heller's September workshop for practitioners
Shame & Guilt: Healing of Early and Complex Trauma, London, 21 - 23 September 2011 The roots of lifelong feelings of shame and guilt are often found in the distress states caused by developmental and shock trauma. They develop as a result of disorganisation in the nervous system and in turn create further disorganisation. Open to therapists with a basic knowledge and above of SE. For more information, contact info@sosinternationale.org Take a look at the flyer and download the registration form.
Introduction to SE by Senior Faculty Member of The Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute
Dr Larry Heller will also be offering an evening's 'Introduction to SE' on 20 September. Whether you're a member of the public wishing to explore SE for yourself or a member of your family, or a therapist considering qualifying as a practitioner, Dr Heller's talk is an excellent opportunity to know more from an expert in Peter Levine's work. Details are also on the flyer and registration forms above. |
May 2011
| SE in The Times
(Health section of the Life supplement, Saturday 30 April 2011) Psychotherapist Benjamin Fry, presenter of BBC series Spendaholics, writes of his personal experience of SE as the only way out of a mental meltdown. In 2008, the sparse realities of the financial crash triggered something deeply held in Benjamin's central nervous system: the infantile panic and loss of security he had experienced when his mother died 11 months after his birth. Despite being a fully qualified psychotherapist with very good connections, nothing offered respite from his living hell - and he tried everything imaginable: all the conventional approaches: medication; CBT; even a stint at The Priory. And when all those failed his primitive need to survive took him to other non-conventional approaches such as prayer, exhortation, salvation and even exorcism. Yet still he remained completely impotent in his ability to recover himself. November 2009, staring suicide in the face, he finally acted on the advice of another psychotherapist friend - he summoned the courage to borrow more money to travel to a pioneering centre in Arizona. Mellody House is the brain child of celebrated American therapist Pia Mellody, and Peter Levine, pioneer of SE. It offers extended care programmes for victims of deep-seated emotional trauma. To read Benjamin's journey to recovery click here. Talk on Trauma and PTSD, Friday 20th May, 7.45pm, Taunton, Somerset SEP, Core Process Psychotherapist and Counsellor Anna Colgan will be the presenter at the May talk for the Taunton Association of Psychodynamics, where she will introduce SE as a way to self-regulate the body and mind back to health. Click here to read the flyer. |
March 2011
| The Telegraph writes about SE
Somatic Experiencing has been mentioned in a major British national newspaper for the first time. Are we losing the rehab battle? asks The Telegraph in an article exploring cutting-edge psychiatric care in America. "This is excellent news even if the mention of Somatic Experiencing is incredibly brief and really only by name" says SEA UK Chairperson, Penny Boyland. "The article's key message is the high correlation of addiction to trauma, particularly early developmental psychological trauma and emotional distress. Such perceived early experiences can negatively affect a child's sense of boundary and their ability to form and maintain wholesome relationships. A very common way for an individual to cope with such distress is to become co-dependent. However, with time, co-dependency can become an addiction, creating a situation where the original resource becomes a secondary trauma. The Meadows recognises this significant pattern and approaches addictions from the perspective of underlying trauma rather than the addiction per se i.e. it aims to work with the root cause as opposed to the symptom. Somatic Experiencing plays a significant part in such an approach." |
February 2011
| Peter Levine in the UK in May
Father of Somatic Experiencing, Peter Levine, will be a keynote speaker at the Breath of Life Conference in London, 28 and 29 May. The Waking The Tiger author will also be offering a two-day workshop on 1 and 2 June - The Body Bears the Burden: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma. Click here for more information on the conference and Peter's workshop. And here to download a booking form. We recommend signing up soon to secure your place. SEA UK is delighted to have Peter on our side of the pond. |
January 2011
| Trauma and Somatic Experiencing weekend workshop, 22-23 January, London
Gestalt psychotherapist Bríd Keenan BACP FAGT SEP will be leading a comprehensive two-day course for therapists and other clinical professionals, including:
Brid’s practice includes working with all age groups, individually, couples and groups. She provides workshops throughout Ireland and assists with SE trainings in England and Europe. For information and tickets, please call icap on 020 7272 7906. ___________________________ Peter Levine offers two open workshops at Esalen, California This month, Dr Peter Levine is offering a two-day programme with Bessel van der Kolk on Brain, Body and Trauma, January 21 to 23. Followed by his intimate five-day course: In an Unspoken Voice, 23 to 28. It's possible that this will be the last time Peter will be leading these events at the Esalen Insititue. Register directly with Esalen at www.esalen.org |
December 2010
| New SE book published: The A to Z of Trauma
The A to Z of Trauma by Ronald M. Doctor, Ph.D, an emeritus professor in the Department of Psychology at California State University, and Frank N. Shiromoto, Ph.D presents more than 300 entries covering all aspects of the subject and related topics. Written in straightforward, jargon-free language, this fascinating and concise book is for anyone researching or coping with the effects of trauma. Entries include:
SE Trainees can save 10% off the price when buying from the SETI Bookstore. |
October 2010
| It's official! - Peter Levine's FHE gets a new name
If you've wondered what the Foundation for Human Enrichment really means and what it has to do with SE, you needn't any longer. After conducting surveys and discussions with faculty staff and the SE community, the FHE recently voted to change its name to the Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute™. Says a spokesperson: "We have begun revising all documents on the website and those given out at the trainings. You may continue to use the ones you have. Our entire website is also in progress of being updated. Please note that all previous forms and certificates given to you by the FHE are still valid." |
September 2010
| Peter Levine publishes the culmination of his life's work - a "masterpiece"
In An Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness is published on September 28. In it, Peter Levine draws on his four decades as a clinician, student of comparative brain research, stress scientist and keen observer of the animal world to explain the nature and transformation of trauma in the body, brain and psyche. In an Unspoken Voice is based on the idea that trauma is neither a disease nor a disorder, but an injury caused by fright, helplessness and loss that can be healed by engaging our innate capacity to self-regulate high states of arousal and intense emotions. Enriched with a coherent theoretical framework and compelling case examples, the book elegantly blends the latest findings in biology, neuroscience and body-oriented psychotherapy to show that when we bring together animal instinct and reason, we can become more whole human beings. SE Trainees can receive a 10% discount when buying this book from the SETI Bookstore |
August 2010
| Peter Levine launches new online trauma healing course - 20 September
Creator of Somatic Experiencing, Dr Peter Levine, is launching a new online course for tapping into your innate ability heal. Starting on 20 September, The Healing Trauma Online Course - A Step-by-Step Program of Restoring the Wisdom of the Body, consists of three live online audio sessions with Peter himself. Plus a set of written course materials. Each session will be an hour long. The cost is $149. To find out more, watch a video preview, and apply, click here. |
May 2010
| Peter Levine PhD and Somatic Experiencing® (SE) featured on Psychotherapy.net
There is an excellent extensive interview with Peter talking about the history of SE and includes such topics as the Polyvagal Theory, working with an Iraq War veteran, PTSD and medication, his current work and more. The SE community is very honoured, as this is one of the first times a body-oriented therapy has been featured on this very traditional website. Click here to read a transcript of the interview. |
April 2010
| Peter Levine to receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Peter Levine, PhD, renowned founder of Somatic Experiencing®, will be the recipient of the prestigious 2010 United States Association for Body Psychotherapy (USABP) Lifetime Achievement Award. The award presentation will take place during the USABP annual conference, October 22-24. Click here to listen to a conversation with Peter describing a personal accident and his personal experience of applying SE at that time. |
April 2010
| Transcription of interview with Raja Selvam, senior faculty member of Peter Levine's Foundation for Human Enrichment, describing his work with tsunami survivors in Tamil Nadu, India.
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