Finding Hope and Healing Through Somatic Experiencing

This past week, my heart has been overflowing with gratitude and excitement as I had the privilege of assisting with the 6th St. Louis Somatic Experiencing® cohort. Having been part of the very first STL cohort years ago, stepping back into this community feels like coming full circle—yet also like beginning again. That’s the beauty of Somatic Experiencing (SE): there is always more to learn, more to feel, more to discover about how healing unfolds in the nervous system.

For me, SE has been one of the most transformative modalities I’ve encountered, both personally and professionally. It invites us to slow down, tune into the body’s innate wisdom, and gently restore regulation and resilience. It is not just for therapists—it’s a powerful approach for a wide range of healing professionals. And what I love most is how seamlessly SE integrates with the other modalities I use, like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and EMDR. Together, they create a rich toolkit for supporting people on their journey to wholeness.

Part of what makes SE so impactful is the rigor and commitment required of its practitioners. The full training spans two and a half to three years and asks participants to engage not only in classroom learning, but also in their own personal sessions and professional consultations. This means that every SE practitioner has done significant healing work within themselves—an experience that deepens their skill, artistry, and empathy. It’s a testament to the depth of this modality and the authenticity it calls forth from those who practice it.

Beyond the clinical tools, what fills me up most is the community. To sit alongside such smart, talented, and deeply caring people—colleagues committed to learning and to the profound work of healing—reminds me that even in difficult times, hope is alive. There is a global network of practitioners dedicating their time and energy to bringing more regulation, compassion, and connection into the world.

Being part of this teaching team is a gift. Each training, each moment spent with this community, renews my belief in what is possible for us as humans. Healing is not only possible—it is happening, in every nervous system we support, in every story we honor, and in every connection we nurture.

✨ If you are a clinician—whether you are a therapist, dietitian, physician, bodyworker, or other helping professional—I encourage you to explore Somatic Experiencing. It is a powerful complement to any discipline and offers tools that can transform both your practice and your own healing journey.

✨ If you are someone seeking support for trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, or other challenges, I encourage you to look for a practitioner trained in Somatic Experiencing. This approach can help restore regulation, safety, and a deeper connection to self.