Somatic Experiencing is a neurobiological approach to treating trauma. A definition of trauma that I like is anything that is too much, too fast, too soon or not enough for too long. (Peter Levine). Somatic means “of the body.” SE® is a method of releasing stress and trauma that gets “stuck” in the body. When we become stressed by an overwhelming life event of some kind, our brains tell our bodies to either run, fight, or freeze. Since running or fighting doesn’t usually make sense to us, we stifle all of that energy, and it gets trapped inside the body. Under these conditions, Dr. Peter Levine’s research shows that a trauma event creates a physiological energy which, unless released, can cause problematic symptoms.