Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy
Here we present a theory of human trauma and chronic stress, based on the practice of Somatic Experiencing® (SE), a form of trauma therapy that emphasizes guiding the client's attention to interoceptive, kinesthetic and proprioceptive experience. SE™ claims that this style of inner attention,...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2015-02-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093/full |
| _version_ | 1818603336999370752 |
|---|---|
| author | Peter ePayne Peter Alan Levine Mardi A. Crane-Godreau |
| author_facet | Peter ePayne Peter Alan Levine Mardi A. Crane-Godreau |
| author_sort | Peter ePayne |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Here we present a theory of human trauma and chronic stress, based on the practice of Somatic Experiencing® (SE), a form of trauma therapy that emphasizes guiding the client's attention to interoceptive, kinesthetic and proprioceptive experience. SE™ claims that this style of inner attention, in addition to the use of kinesthetic and interoceptive imagery, can lead to the resolution of symptoms resulting from chronic and traumatic stress. This is accomplished through the completion of thwarted, biologically based, self-protective and defensive responses, and the discharge and regulation of excess autonomic arousal. We present this theory through a composite case study of an SE treatment; based on this example, we offer a possible neurophysiological rationale for the mechanisms involved, including a theory of trauma and chronic stress as a functional dysregulation of the complex dynamical system formed by the subcortical autonomic, limbic, motor and arousal systems, which we term the core response network (CRN). We demonstrate how the methods of SE help restore functionality to the CRN, and we emphasize the importance of taking into account the instinctive, bodily based protective reactions when dealing with stress and trauma, as well as the effectiveness of using attention to interoceptive,proprioceptive and kinesthetic sensation as a therapeutic tool. Finally, we point out that SE and similar somatic approaches offer a supplement to cognitive and exposure therapies, and that mechanisms similar to those discussed in the paper may also be involved in the benefits of meditation and other somatic practices. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T13:21:34Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-aff0268686ce40848a6ea64d99ca27f4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T13:21:34Z |
| publishDate | 2015-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj.art-aff0268686ce40848a6ea64d99ca27f42022-12-21T22:30:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782015-02-01610.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093124489Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapyPeter ePayne0Peter Alan Levine1Mardi A. Crane-Godreau2Geisel School of Medicine at DartmouthFoundation for Human EnrichmentGeisel School of Medicine at DartmouthHere we present a theory of human trauma and chronic stress, based on the practice of Somatic Experiencing® (SE), a form of trauma therapy that emphasizes guiding the client's attention to interoceptive, kinesthetic and proprioceptive experience. SE™ claims that this style of inner attention, in addition to the use of kinesthetic and interoceptive imagery, can lead to the resolution of symptoms resulting from chronic and traumatic stress. This is accomplished through the completion of thwarted, biologically based, self-protective and defensive responses, and the discharge and regulation of excess autonomic arousal. We present this theory through a composite case study of an SE treatment; based on this example, we offer a possible neurophysiological rationale for the mechanisms involved, including a theory of trauma and chronic stress as a functional dysregulation of the complex dynamical system formed by the subcortical autonomic, limbic, motor and arousal systems, which we term the core response network (CRN). We demonstrate how the methods of SE help restore functionality to the CRN, and we emphasize the importance of taking into account the instinctive, bodily based protective reactions when dealing with stress and trauma, as well as the effectiveness of using attention to interoceptive,proprioceptive and kinesthetic sensation as a therapeutic tool. Finally, we point out that SE and similar somatic approaches offer a supplement to cognitive and exposure therapies, and that mechanisms similar to those discussed in the paper may also be involved in the benefits of meditation and other somatic practices.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093/fullAutonomic Nervous SystemLimbic SystemMeditationstressTraumainteroception |
| spellingShingle | Peter ePayne Peter Alan Levine Mardi A. Crane-Godreau Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy Frontiers in Psychology Autonomic Nervous System Limbic System Meditation stress Trauma interoception |
| title | Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy |
| title_full | Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy |
| title_fullStr | Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy |
| title_short | Somatic Experiencing: Using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy |
| title_sort | somatic experiencing using interoception and proprioception as core elements of trauma therapy |
| topic | Autonomic Nervous System Limbic System Meditation stress Trauma interoception |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00093/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT peterepayne somaticexperiencingusinginteroceptionandproprioceptionascoreelementsoftraumatherapy AT peteralanlevine somaticexperiencingusinginteroceptionandproprioceptionascoreelementsoftraumatherapy AT mardiacranegodreau somaticexperiencingusinginteroceptionandproprioceptionascoreelementsoftraumatherapy |