What is SE?

Prey animals are life-threatened many times, yet they don't have PTSD. Why not? For years, Dr. Peter Levine and others have paid careful attention to that question, and Dr. Levine developed Somatic Experiencing® from what they learned.

SE is a gentle and effective approach for resolving trauma, by including the body and nervous system in the conversation. Life energy that had been bound up in unresolved trauma can be set free, often giving people access to their unique spirituality and creativity.

Dr. Lucia Roncalli has been practicing and helping to teach Somatic Experiencing for over 10 years. She is fascinated by the interplay of biology and insight in this work. Many of her clients credit the SE approach with changing their lives for the better.

Why SE?

SE can be beneficial for general wellness, and is especially helpful with

• Depression

• Anxiety

• PTSD

• Chronic fatigue

• Chronic pain

Lucia also specializes in the following areas:

More on SE

The Somatic Experiencing® method is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders. Developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine, it arose from his multidisciplinary study of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, together with over 45 years of successful clinical application. The SE approach gently releases traumatic shock, which is key to transforming PTSD and the wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma.

The SE Approach

SE is not talk therapy, though it can help support and speed a person's work in talk therapy. Talk comes from the "human brain," the neo-cortex, while body memory is stored in the older parts of the brain, both reptilian and mammalian. SE offers a framework to assess where a person is “stuck” in the fight, flight or freeze responses, and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states. Because SE focuses on the body's memory and experience of events, it is possible to resolve trauma symptoms without necessarily re-telling the story. It provides effective skills appropriate to a variety of healing professions including mental health, medicine, physical and occupational therapies, bodywork, addiction treatment, first response, education, and others.

The Science

Trauma may begin as acute stress from a perceived life-threat or as the end product of cumulative stress. Both types of stress can seriously impair a person’s ability to function with resilience and ease. Trauma may result from a wide variety of stressors such as accidents, invasive medical procedures, sexual or physical assault, emotional abuse, neglect, war, natural disasters, loss, birth trauma, or the corrosive stressors of ongoing fear and conflict.

How it Works

The SE approach facilitates the completion of the body’s self-protective motor responses and the release of thwarted survival energy bound in the body, thus addressing the root cause of trauma symptoms. This is approached by gently guiding clients to develop increasing tolerance for difficult bodily sensations and suppressed emotions.

(the above text is gratefully borrowed, in a slightly modified form, from traumahealing.org)

Testimonials

"I have received Somatic Experiencing (SE) sessions and mentorship from Lucia for three years. The scale of Lucia's wisdom, compassion, and experience is difficult to capture in words. The healing I have received through her support has been profound. Lucia has a way of immediately humanizing and softening every part of my experience. She is a true medicine woman and a highly skilled healer. With her grounded intellect, genuine care, and tender but fierce heart, she is the type of person greatly needed by the world right now. And when I'm feeling down or alone, there is something special about just remembering Lucia exists. I consider it a huge privilege to practice SE with Lucia and I am deeply grateful to have connected with her." —Emily W., SEP and Lucia's client

"Years of conventional 'talk' therapy with renowned trauma experts did not bring me the relief I felt working with Lucia. In a single session, her physical holding, visceral connection, and safe presence were pivotal in supporting my mind, body, and soul. Thank you, Lucia, for your gifted use of somatic healing skills." —Laura Mayorga, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist

"Lucia masterfully sets up context for clarity to emerge, by attuning to the body’s wisdom in a way I’ve never experienced with any other practitioner. Lucia has the rare and precious quality of embodying love with both grace, reverence and wisdom. Her support has been one of the most pivotal and valuable investments both in my personal and professional growth - beyond what I could have ever dreamed possible. I can’t recommend Lucia’s and her somatic work enough. Her integrity, strength and depth are pillars that bring you to new levels of possibilities that you may never have imagined possible." —Krista Kujat, Founder & Curator, Veritas Vista

“When I first met Lucia I was hoping to find someone who would ‘get me.’ Suffice it to say that after our first session my life was so radically transformed that it's hard to put into words the depth of the change that occurred. She helped me connect back to my heart in such a gentle, attuned, and compassionate way. I've had a sense of calm that I've never experienced. Somatic Experiencing is a gift in itself, but I would also say that Lucia brings a special magic to it; she's a true Alchemist!” —Z.A.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Lucia over the past 3 years. Her patience, compassion, extensive knowledge of what my body needs, presence, and amazing intuition make her a highly skilled one-of-a-kind practitioner. My experience with her has always been profoundly healing. She always creates a safe space for me as we work through difficult important issues. After working with her, I am now able to be in my own body (self) with much more ease. I feel more trust and safer inside myself. I will definitely continue to keep working with Lucia. I highly recommend Lucia for anyone looking for an experienced and skillful SE practitioner.” —J.L.