Trauma is an epidemic, contributing to problems in countless homes and workplaces worldwide. People who have experienced trauma are 15 times more likely to commit suicide, three times more likely to experience depression or use antidepressant medication, four times more likely to become an alcoholic, develop an STD, or inject drugs, and three times more likely to have serious job problems or be absent from work. While experts disagree on the single best modality to treat trauma, there is general agreement that it won’t be one thing that does the trick.
Monica LeSage has used Somatic Experiencing as a core element of her recovery, and in the last 6 years has radically tranformed her life. Previously depressed, in constant pain, and unable to work, she was taught somatic experiencing practices by her counselor Dr. Nancy Bement, and now she works full-time, in less pain than ever. The Somatic Experiencing® method is a body-oriented approach to the healing of trauma and other stress disorders. It is the life’s work of Dr. Peter A. Levine, resulting 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.
In her talk she describes how Somatic Experiencing works, how she uses it manage to daily stress, anxiety, and chronic pain, and shares a demonstration of how she used it to help a stranger when she witnessed a traumatic injury this year. Whether you learn Somatic Experiencing principles to heal yourself, a loved one, or a client, this is a tool that everyone needs to have in their healing tool belt.
