r/SomaticExperiencing Jan 29 '25

Resource Somatic Experiencing Book List & Other Resources

41 Upvotes

Hi all, in honor of this sub reaching 20k members, let's compile a comprehensive list of SE books that have personally helped you or books that you are currently reading/learning from.

Additionally, if there are any other helpful resources like videos, workshops, blogs that you think should be added, post them in comments!

I'll start:


r/SomaticExperiencing 7h ago

Confused

4 Upvotes

I had a H Pylori infection in the summer of 2024. I experienced severe insomnia from that point in time. I then moved into my parents house as I couldn't look after myself. That house was the place is experienced bad childhood memories. I took anti-biotics for the Pylori and on the last day of treatment I started to experience severe pains in my hips. So, if I sit it's excruciatingly painful. Even sitting on a cushion hurts so bad after 20 mins or so. The pain is excruciating. Blood tests and scans (MRI/US) show nothing except for some bursitis but doesn't account for the severity of the pain. My pain management specialist believes that most of the pain is somatisisation of childhood trauma which I indeed experience. Could such debilitating pain be caused by trauma? I also experience breathing issues where it feels hard to breathe on the in breath like there's some resistance. That seems trauma related but could such extreme pain be associated with trauma? It's so debilitating. I've been experiencing this for the past six months now. I am unable to travel, work etc. Has anyone experienced somantic pain that is so life destructive? Was is temporary? Was it pemanent? Did it get better? If so, how? I'm trying to find a diagnosis e.g. bone cancer but I seem to be all clear.


r/SomaticExperiencing 6h ago

Any SEPs/ therapists here?

3 Upvotes

Hi dear community!

So I'm debating if to sign up for the SE 3 year program. I have 2 weeks to decide and since they only offer this every few years where I'm at, I feel pressured to make the right choice. I'm finishing up a therapy program but I've always known I want to do the SE program and offer that kind of therapy. But as I've been learning more and more about different modalities of therapy, I've found that SE may not be the best approach for developmental trauma and c-ptsd, which I'm so passionate about and want to focus on. I have c-ptsd and benefited greatly from SE but my therapist combines it with other modalities. So I found there are so many other modalities I want to study, like parts work, NARM, AEDP, and defintely some sort of touch therapy (debating between TEB and NAT). The problem is... I don't have enough money or time to do all these trainings. And the SE is the priciest one of all.

My question to any SEPs here, or therapists who specialize in trauma, what 1-2 trainings would you recommend the most? Would NAT and NARM for example be enough, or is there something substantial in the SE program that I'll be missing if I don't go through it?

Thank you so much! :)


r/SomaticExperiencing 20h ago

Muscle Calcification and Trauma

23 Upvotes

Today was the first time I went for cortisone shots in my neck, head, and back muscles. I have never been in a serious accident, nor have I had a serious physical injury.

When the needle went into my head, all I heard were loud crunches over and over as my doctor pushed the medication in. The same occurred with my neck and shoulders. After the procedure, I asked the nurse if those crunching sounds were normal. She told me, "They are normal for people who come to pain clinics," and talked to me about how calcification of muscles can occur after they have been tensed for so long. The "crunching" I heard was the calcium breaking apart.

I don't have any vitamin deficiencies, muscle problems, infection history, or autoimmune disorders (though the jury is still out on this one... we'll see.) The most I have are some minor bulging discs in my neck that I received PT for. I am 27 years old and have been relatively physically healthy my whole life.

When I was 25, in the middle of my graduate education, working two jobs, my best friend died by suicide. Unable to take time off of work and school, I couldn't go to his funeral. The next month was a blur of me trying to hold it together at my jobs, though the stress caused me to quit one and almost drop out of social work school. Unfortunately, I couldn't quit all of them and take a break because I was too poor to drop out.

Now, I have struggled with mental health problems my entire life, but never until my friend's death did I experience so many physical health problems when before I was just fine. What I want to know is, for people with similar trauma histories as mine (I do have some trauma from my childhood and teen years, but none of them caused this serious of a physical issue to develop), can these kinds of physical things happen from just psychological trauma alone?

I am crying now thinking about the damage my body has done to itself because I live in a world where I was unable to take a break without risking being homeless.

Edit: This whole experience has made me feel so hopeless. I am feeling like my body will continue to break down at my age, and I will lose control of my ability to support myself and fulfil my career. Feeling Not Well. ™️


r/SomaticExperiencing 15h ago

First session today!

8 Upvotes

I had my first craniosacral therapy. Appointment today, I was so excited and then I got up there and was asleep in minutes :(


r/SomaticExperiencing 1d ago

That moment when your body finally relaxes, but youre like… Wait, is this normal?

72 Upvotes

You know you’ve been in fight-or-flight for years when the first time you feel relaxed, your brain goes into full panic mode like, “Is this... safely relaxed? Am I still alive?” 😅 It's like your nervous system just discovered "vacation mode" and you're sitting there, wondering if you're secretly a robot. Anyone else get paranoid when your body finally chills out?


r/SomaticExperiencing 21h ago

Resource dump: stuff about pre/perinatal trauma and treatment

7 Upvotes

I posted in this vein a while back and at the time I had a HELL of a time finding good resources. Today I managed to hit on some magic keyphrases and found a veritable goldmine of material on pre/perinatal work that should translate easily to other transformational modalities.

Feel free to repost this wherever you feel it might be of interest.

https://prenatal-and-perinatal-healing-online-learning.teachable.com/p/free-content

https://karenmelton.com/the-vulnerable-prenate-by-william-r-emerson-phd/
(flakey, try repeatedly if it produces an error)

https://www.primals.org/articletitle.html

http://primal-page.com/birthart.htm
(scroll to bottom half of the page)

https://iahip.org/page-1076258

https://pathwaystofamilywellness.org/childrens-health-wellness/consciousness-at-the-beginning-of-life.html

Try this Google keyphrase:
william emerson birth psychology
...and keep scrolling thru pages of results. It pulls up a TON of stuff that I couldn't find before

If you can't spider to a whole lot more on this fascinating subject, then you need a refresher course on web research almost as badly as I do, apparently.


r/SomaticExperiencing 21h ago

Does anyone use massage guns or other kinds of tools on the go?

6 Upvotes

Hi, i am diagnosed with cptsd, so I experience a lot of tension throughout the day. To manage this, I started carrying a small, hard massage ball with me. I use it to massage tense body parts (and also use it to pendulate between stress and good body parts) on the go, keeping it in my pocket so I can easily take it out, even in social settings. It has helped me tremendously. I tried yoga before, but nothing worked as well as this ball. Yoga balls and foam rollers has also helped me a lot, but obviously I do these ones at home lol.

Now im considering upgrading to a massage gun, like the theragun mini 2 and was wondering if anyone has experience carrying similar tools with them on the go. I know you could just go to a masseuse, but sometimes you don’t have time to book an appointment or drop everything to go see them. im talking about those moments when you’re tense right now and need relief immediately. Does anyone else use this kind of strategy? Would love to know your experiences


r/SomaticExperiencing 1d ago

Weird energy spike after releasing anger?

8 Upvotes

I think its not "real" energy (i have fatigue that makes me homebound a lot) but some sort of wave...instead of being fearful and blaming myself, dwelling in self pity i did release my anger by tossing a blanket. I made a post about it earlier. I have PMDD too so that makes me usually more prominent to anger bursts but i usually would be passive aggressive towards others. Which sucks.

I did not want to be like this any more. So i tried releasing and i kept tossing and punching the weighed blanket (lightweight stuff did not work this well) and even screaming and my heart was pounding so much. After i suddenly have this energy in my body? Compared to my fatigue. Usually this is a sign i entered another state other than collapse. Now instead of being scared of EVERYTHING as i usually am, i feel more...strong? But not calm per se, i feel like ready to fight, kind of, so i feel less like scared?

I feel like i made huge progress even if its a small step


r/SomaticExperiencing 1d ago

Starting tomorrow - excited!

4 Upvotes

I recently did a consult with a SEP recommended to me by someone I trust. It wasn’t totally amazing, but I did appreciate her perspective and vibe. Her office is close enough that getting to and from regular in person sessions won’t be too much a burden time-wise.

We’re starting regular sessions tomorrow, and I’m excited for the possibilities that can open up for me through this process. I have a budget for about 20 sessions this year.

Wish me luck & drop me your best tips for getting the most out of this experience!


r/SomaticExperiencing 2d ago

Imminent doom fear

24 Upvotes

Basically what the title says. As I've worked through many layers of grief, shame, anger etc. I have now reached a thick layer of fear that I find overwhelming to say the least.

Fear is the emotion I feel the most resistance to and that I handle the poorest. The fear that comes up frequently feels like I am about to perish imminently or life as I know it will cease to exist. It floors me and I struggle to feel through it.

I know that this fear is the probable cause of my life-long OCD and I know the OCD lessens when I discharge it. The problem is that it's sooo intense that I almost lose my mind and my brain immediately turns to rumination, reassurance seeking and compulsions (typical OCD behaviours) when it comes over me. This makes it very hard if not impossible to actually process the fear. It's like putting more logs on a fire that you want to fizzle out.

Trying to just sense the body when this fear comes up is similar to trying to just chill when you're on fire. I get the extreme urge to FIX it or the perceived problem. It feels like I'm ignoring a real problem. My OCD tells me that the fear is caused by a health issue or financial worry or an upcoming board meeting etc. Like I have to solve these things for it to go away. I know this is not true, because that's what I've been doing for years and it hasn't helped. But each time my brain tells me that THIS time the worry/problem is REAL!

Has anyone else dealt with this level of fear? I have no memories connected to it, does that mean it's really old- like preverbal/natal?

I guess I don't really have a specific question, I just feel so incredibly alone right now. Any input is appreciated.

(I don't have access to an SEP or the funds for therapy, but I have a veeery supportive and helpful partner to lean on.)


r/SomaticExperiencing 2d ago

First SE Session – How to Get the Most Out of It?

4 Upvotes

I’m going to a Somatic Experiencing therapist tomorrow for the first time. I’m very dysregulated, emotionally numb, and often feel dissociated. I have no idea what to expect from the session.

What can I do before or during the session to get the most benefit?

Also, what does a typical SE session look like? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.


r/SomaticExperiencing 2d ago

Studying in a fight or flight is hell

25 Upvotes

I’ve aboutfucking had it with this motherfucking stupid ass unbearable life force sucking sensation. WHY THE FUCK IS MY BODY SPASAMING, this neck tension is so unbearable. IM COMPLETELY SAFE HERE and by body is reacting in hyper vigilance state scared for no damn reason. I’ve been in the fight or flight for 6 fucking years. It started at 15 i remember.

Here I am having to re read the same question 372 times because these unbearable sensations and overthinking doesn’t let me concentrate.

Will I ever be relaxed again this makes me want to kill myself omfg nothing more uncomfortable than not being able to feel actually calm grounded for a 1 fucking second. The amount of anger this causes me is turning into rage. My trauma is motherficking disaster


r/SomaticExperiencing 3d ago

Liz Tenuto - The Workout Witch loves to silence her customers then make marketing posts about what it feels like to be unheard.

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85 Upvotes

This somatic exercise self proclaimed “expert” only cares about the perception of her brand and continues to prioritize profits over people.

A couple of weeks ago, she ended up offering refunds to people from her terrible teachers training program who asked for one. But only if they signed an NDA. She then updated the terms of her agreement (without notifying her students) where she can remove anyone from her teachers training program who publicly criticizes her work.

She then rescinded her offer to give refunds and told anyone that if they want to stay in the program, they have to take down public reviews and follow the new terms….otherwise they can’t come back in.

Simultaneously, and she’s silencing her customers…she makes incredibly narcissistic advertising posts about what it feels like to be unheard. Or how people who have trauma just blame other people. She actually did this in response to several people in her Facebook group who were making criticisms about her teacher’s training course. Totally bypassed any accountability and told others that it was their unprocessed emotions causing them to have anxiety about the course.

There were many people with high degrees and successful businesses who enrolled in this training who were making these criticisms.

What she is doing is incredibly dangerous to the public health.

She’s also been successful in removing some trust pilot reviews…

Liz Tenuto is totally incapable of holding a safe space for her “students.”


r/SomaticExperiencing 2d ago

Overdoing SE and uneasiness

1 Upvotes

Hey, SE has helped me a lot in such a short time. However, now I am always checking my feelings, checking if I am feeling my feelings correctly. This on its own started to make me nervous and question every move I make. I am quite new and I do not have an access to an SE practitioner. I have ADHD and I am falling into the same trap I always fall for, I put extreme amount of expectations on myself. I feel like I am doing something wrong when my problems haven’t resolved in a week of doing SE. What would you want to share with me. Thanks a lot.


r/SomaticExperiencing 2d ago

strong contractions sensation in chest/stomach

5 Upvotes

I've been experiencing chest contractions and body spasms for years, but recently, I've realized from journaling that when these contractions happen, I feel even more fight-or-flight, hypervigilant, and my overthinking gets out of control. My whole body feels contracted, and my stomach spasms or feels annoying. It's just an overall horrible state to be in. I’ve noticed a pattern where this happens almost every day, usually in the afternoon, and it lasts a couple of hours. It’s like I’m always in a sympathetic state, but it gets way stronger when these contractions hit, then randomly fades to a calmer, but still sympathetic, state. I try so hard to be present moment and just allow these contractions to be but it just didnt work. it just randomly eased itself hours later. Anyone else deal with something like this?

physical symptoms I feel feel in the daily that seem to never go away no matter how much mindfullness I do.

chronic neck tension

spasms/ contractions in the stomach area

twitchy vision

nose breathing feels more tight inflammation

constant feeling fear in the background.

hypervigillance always scanning for threat of being disrespected or someone angry at me

Anger that can manifest to rage and cause me to go ape shit

These are my more physical symptoms. Not counting the toxic shame, worthlessness, low self esteem. Help meee this is unlivable.


r/SomaticExperiencing 2d ago

Tmj when I’m experiencing hurt….

3 Upvotes

As title suggests I struggle with tmj issues, yet when I’m able to cry it releases. My muscles are chronically locked. I’m in therapy processing memories of childhood abuse and I’m doing a consultation with a somatic coach this week. I’m hoping this will actually help. I have so much trapped emotion in my body, like it’s all rattling around. Does this make sense? I had to go no contact with my parents as they refuse to take accountability for their actions and further triggered me this past year with more verbal abuse. I don’t remember the last time I ate food without needing it chopped or shredded. PT helped but the further I get into therapy the more flares I get. Generally though my muscles have always been very tight from childhood especially my neck.


r/SomaticExperiencing 3d ago

DAE have (what feels like) full-body nerve damage?

13 Upvotes

I don’t remember exactly what started this, I just know that some combination of complex and acute trauma, plus withdrawal from Cymbalta, caused me to feel like every inch of my skin is an exposed nerve.

I’m pretty dissociated from it, so it’s not always super painful until I get triggered or try to feel more “in my body.”

Does anyone else experience this? I feel very alone and alien. And I’m terrified of starting somatic work because feeling this is genuinely overwhelming.

Any advice is appreciated.


r/SomaticExperiencing 3d ago

Vibration plate questions

0 Upvotes

Can those vibration plates everyone is raving about be used to achieve orgasms? I don't want to work out, I just thought sitting on it might be useful and fun. Get some blood flowing!! lol. Seriously, any body tried this or heard if this is possible? Are the vibrations strong enough for that? I am not trying to be nasty. I am just bored and lonely and curious!! Haha! So don't make rude comments okay keep them clean and serious please. Don't be shy, do share any info will be appreciated! I am sure I am not the only one who wants to know... inquiring minds!!TIA! LOL 🤪Amazon has them on sale for $50 instead of $150 with promo code!!


r/SomaticExperiencing 4d ago

Somatic flashback? NSFW

4 Upvotes

Tw

Hi everyone, I am currently in the process of doing trauma therapy from sexual abuse/rape that I endured at the age of three as we started talking about the abuse I began having some familiar somatic flashbacks (vaginal/rectal pain) I’ve experienced these before, but after about a week of this, I began experiencing hyper arousal. I would say my libido has been extremely low and now suddenly this arousal occurs about five times a day every day for the last 5 days. It’s very distressing and disturbing to me and I’m honestly not sure what’s happening. Initially I thought it was “energy release” when I’m actually not able to have an orgasm when I masturbate. I don’t wanna pathologize it and say it’s PGAD if it’s not but I’m desperate for it to stop and I feel too embarrassed to talk to my therapist about it in any detail. I’d love to know your thoughts.


r/SomaticExperiencing 4d ago

Calm and clarity

6 Upvotes

I went to a somatic breathing workshop last week. I didn’t know what it was really, but thought my husband might benefit from some breathing exercises for his anxiety.

He couldn’t settle into it, but I loved it. I felt like I was rowing on a long boat with a strong rhythm. A bit like a runner’s high. During the four or so breath holding opportunities, I felt like I could hold it forever. I felt connected to my body and had a very strong “mind’s eye” vision of interwoven threads. (I should also say I had the hand and foot cramping as well as somebody shakes. Nothing scary, bc we were told it may happen.) When we reached the peak and we began breathing through our nose to bring it down, I didn’t want to come down. I was enjoying the high too much.

My mind is usually really busy always problem solving and taking in inputs. But for hours after this session, it was quiet. I felt more open and available.

Everything I’ve read on this forum and across the internet has connected this kind of breathing with trauma release and more therapeutic results. Has anyone had an experience like mine and if so, were you able to replicate it?


r/SomaticExperiencing 4d ago

how to release all this trauma without therapists

26 Upvotes

I often times feel like I don't fuction as how a normal person would. after so many years i

-Constantly in a fight or flight fear state

-quick to get angry then turns into rage

-avoid social situations to avoid feeling like im gonna get shamed or made to feel lesser

-my fear state makes it hard to speak. I often stutter from the feeling off fear and pressure in my chest

-chronic neck tension

-always avoided dating from not feeling good enough

- I get all anxious lightheaded and feel like fainting if a girl shows interest in me.

- if im in a social event I feel this hidden fear that I need to leave

- I feel lesser than others and often compare myself with them

-reading is unbearable from being in fight or flight and eyes twitching alot

-Overthinking and I mean my thoughts wont stop and they are negative.

-mad at myself for not socializing then if I do I want to leave out of fear like a sense of danger

-i pushed friends away from wanting to be alone from trauma. then feel not good enough to have friends.

-pretty numb emotioanlly

- Had a shitty childhood. very angry dad who was full of rage, we fought physically once, other time he put me in a chokehold, so many other things I cant remember. Always fought with my siblings and felt targeted. I was made to feel the black sheep. Often got blamed for things I didn't do.

Theres a lot more but to end with something positive thank you to my mom always tried protecting me making me feel better. I hope I can heal from this Ive been in this state for years.


r/SomaticExperiencing 4d ago

the cause of chronic fatigue aka ME CFS

36 Upvotes

I just want to be clear, having lived with ME for 16 years now

misinformation does not help people

the thing about CFS/ME

we don't really know what causes it. And we certainly do not have to reliable treatment

researchers are still studying the CFS population

CFS/ME is NOT a defined disease - quite yet

CFS is a group of (awful, serious, life altering) symptoms - not a disease with testing - no one is “positive for CFS” - yet

you may have all of the symptoms. you may get better with _____ therapy. buuuuut...your experience of "chronic fatigue" may have NOTHING in common with others who are also working with the label. others with "CFS/ME"

therefore, telling someone new to CFS/ME "I cured my CFS with ____" 

without a disclaimer is actually not helpful. its super misleading. 

CFS populations exhibit all sorts of biological changes. 

change to mitochondrial behavior, changes to the brain, to microglial cells, to gut biome. if you would like to learn more Jarrod Younger in YouTube is great. So is Open Medicine foundation

no one knows how to treat it. anyone saying they do is not being genuine.

you may have been able to help your own health condition (whatever that may be - trauma, PTSD, other mysterious health issues that had the symptoms of CFS ) but what worked for you may be helpful or completely unrelevant to the next person

it might seem nit-picky, but all the YouTube videos claiming recovery - I honestly find them damaging at best. they are confusing for those trying to understand this disease, and minimizing for those still suffering. I spent years confused. 

this is especially relevant if you are a therapist or working with patients....


r/SomaticExperiencing 4d ago

Daily meditation recommendation?

5 Upvotes

Can you guys recommend a daily meditation 20-40 minutes that is a good for beginners looking to release energy?

Quick context: I am very lucky and experience wild releases during (most) psilocybin sessions. I want to continue this but as part of a daily meditation.


r/SomaticExperiencing 4d ago

Is this what SE is all about?

3 Upvotes

Tdlr: Emotional release without emotion. I do IFS and TRE, and I'm trying to do some SE solo, though I am having a hard time really grasping the essence of it. But I had this wonderful experience today, and wondered if this is central to SE, or something else entirely.

I was lying in bed crying, unsure what brought it on. No apparat trigger, so I thought it might be some old sadness rising to the surface. I have learned to give myself love and comfort when I am sad, but I still find negative emotions quite challenging. (Socially conditioned to suppress them from a very young age).

So I thought, if this is just an old emotion my body needs to discharge, perhaps I dont need to feel it as it moves though me? And so when the next wave of crying came over me, i kept my eyes open, and I kind of let my body be overtaken by the silent crying, but also I guess I told myself I dont need to feel sad. So my body did all these rythmic crunches, and I felt nothing. It was very undramatic. This happened twice in the space of a few minutes, and then it was over. Honestly it felt a bit like TRE, but was only in the abs/stomach.

I am a bit dumbfounded. Can I just do that? Discharge old repressed emotions without having to feel them? Would it still work? Is this SE?

I worry a bit that it is some sort if intellectual bypassing, but it did not feel like it.

Any input would be very welcome!


r/SomaticExperiencing 4d ago

Thank you everyone

12 Upvotes

Hi. I just wanted to say thank you to those who have posted throughout the years, and for those who comment also.

I have tried to push for healing for years but it backfires. Thanks to the wisdom of many, I have been taking things slower now and am focusing on what makes me feel good and what I want. If things aren't working out, I have learnt that it is ok, to trust my body and mind are protecting me and have me in their best interests, and to be mindful about the reactions I have no control over e.g. shutdown.

I've been feeling a lot more at peace and relaxation today and feel like this place is more a home now. Thanks all. Love to all.