Key Principles in Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine. It focuses on gently releasing stored stress and trauma in the nervous system, helping clients restore regulation, safety, and wholeness after overwhelming experiences. The following key principles guide my work in Somatic Experiencing:

1. The SIBAM Model

At the heart of SE is the SIBAM framework, which helps us track the full flow of present-moment experience. SIBAM stands for Sensation, Imagery, Behavior, Affect, and Meaning.

Sensation: Noticing physical feelings in the body (tension, warmth, trembling, etc.).
Imagery: Mental pictures, memories, or inner scenes that arise.
Behavior: Posture, gestures, breathing patterns, and movements.
Affect: Emotions and how they are expressed.
Meaning: The personal significance and stories we make from our experience.

By gently tracking these elements together, we support the nervous system in completing interrupted responses and integrating experiences more fully.

2. Resourcing

We build and strengthen internal resources — sensations, memories, or images that evoke safety, calm, and strength. Resourcing helps create a stable foundation before working with more challenging material.

3. Titration

Trauma is processed in small, manageable doses rather than all at once. Titration prevents overwhelm and allows the nervous system to integrate change gradually and safely.

4. Pendulation

We gently guide attention between states of activation (mild tension or discomfort) and states of safety and calm. This “pendulum” movement teaches the nervous system that it can move out of distress and return to balance — a core part of healing.

5. Integration of Bottom-Up and Top-Down Processing

Somatic Experiencing emphasizes bottom-up processing (starting with bodily sensations and nervous system responses) while also incorporating top-down processing (involving thoughts, meaning-making, and conscious reflection).