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Curriculum

Somatic Experiencing Professional Training runs over three years. Each training year consists of two 6-day modules, providing a total of 72 training hours a year.

Year 1 (Beginner)

The aim of the first year of training is to acquire foundational knowledge and skills in the Somatic Experiencing biophysiological approach for the resolution of trauma:

  • Physiology of traumatic stress and its effect on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) 
  • Tracking sensation to access responses in the ANS 
  • Neurophysiology of threat responses: defensive orientation, fight/flight/freeze, deactivation and completion as well as exploratory orienting 
  • Completion of the threat-response cycle and incomplete survival responses 
  • "Titration" in the trauma-renegotiation process to ensure healthy integration of experience 
  • Introduction to Porges' Polyvagal Theory of NAS function 
  • SE model of SIBAM (Sensation, Image, Behavior, Affect, Meaning) 
  • Coupling dynamics – the over- and under-association of the elements of SIBAM 
  • Self-regulation – identification, normalization and stabilization of traumatic reactions 
  • Supporting clients in re-establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries 
  • Integration of SE into ongoing professional practice 
  • Introduction to the appropriate use of touch in the context of SE

Year 2 (Intermediate)

The second year of training focuses on the different categories of trauma, their primary characteristics and hallmarks, as well as specific approaches and interventions for working with each category effectively:

  • Inescapable attack: individual assaults (robbery, animal attack) as well as long-term traumas (bullying; oppression or subjugation related to race, religion, gender, body type, mental or physical ability or sexual orientation)  
  • Global High Intensity Activation - working with extreme emotional and physical states 
  • Pre- and peri-natal trauma 
  • Motor vehicle accidents 
  • Sexual traumas 
  • Falls 
  • Climate change and natural catastrophes 
  • War, terror 
  • Medical traumas (anesthesia, preparing for surgery)
  • Complex/developmental/emotional trauma 
  • Social and intergenerational trauma

Year 3 (Advanced)

The third year of training will further integrate and deepen your theoretical and practical understanding of SE and develop your ability to resonate with your clients. In addition, you will learn how to work with complex traumas and syndromes (IBS, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.). The last module is dedicated to the use of touch in SE.

  • SE concept of "coherence" in working with complex trauma 
  • Touch skills for supporting containment and coherence of the client 
  • SE's understanding of inter-relationship between syndromes and dysregulation of the ANS 
  • Deeper understanding of Polyvagal Theory as it relates to working with syndromes 
  • Refining the SE skills of "titration" and "pendulation" when working with highly sensitive and syndromal clients 
  • SE model for working with the eyes 
  • SE touch-based skills for working with different categories of trauma 
  • Understanding of how SE uses joints, body diaphragms, and the vicera to access ANS responses and to support completion of incomplete survival responses