Somatic Experiencing (SE) Touch Skills Work

Touch elicits many different reactions.

Not everyone enjoys touching. Some people find touching foreign and uncomfortable.

For those individuals who may have experienced trauma or abuse, touching may feel overwhelming and scary. Avoiding touch feels safer. When touch occurs, they freeze and may say, “Stay away; don’t touch me.”

Many individuals find touch reassuring, making them feel safe. Being touched says to them, “Everything is alright. You are my friend; I care for you.”

For most of us, touch creates a soothing sensation, creating a sense of connection to another person. Children find touching comforting, and partners and families associate touching with love.

Touch is part of the human condition.

Touch is a form of communication that creates bonding and provides comfort and healing.

Stress levels and negative feelings are reduced through touch. It can help us feel safer and more grounded!

Some of us didn’t receive positive experiences from touch, robbing us of healthy development. Although this may be the case with you, it’s not too late to experience the benefits of touching through Somatic Experiencing (SE).

Somatic Experiencing (SE) provides many benefits.

Saying no is difficult; people take advantage of your niceness. Through SE, drawing a hard “NO” can become more manageable, allowing you to develop a clear sense of boundaries and a sense of safety.

If you feel overwhelmed and unable to feel your body, SE helps regulate your nervous system allowing you to reconnect with it.

Perhaps touch wasn’t part of your family. You may have experienced long-term hospitalization as an infant or child, or your mom struggled with anxiety and depression – depriving you of an early experience with touch. Those early experiences were traumatic or created a lack of connection with others. SE helps you address early trauma and attachment issues, allowing you to feel more connected as well as physically and emotionally secure.

You might ask, “Feeling safe – what’s that like?”

Touch reduces stress chemicals and produces those “feel good” sensations. Now, safety is accessible.

SE is about safety first.

Our approach is about safety and empowerment. You decide if, how, and when we will use touch. A person’s needs guide how our session occurs. You may not be ready for hands-on work so we will arrange our seating based on your preference.

Sensations help guide the process. In the beginning, we may play with self-touch and develop strategies that establish boundaries. We honor where you are and explore sensations with curiosity. Sometimes removing my hands is necessary. I will help you find the words if you can’t say them. You will get good at saying what you need.

Some clients prefer being seated to receive grounding touch, and others may recline on a massage table. Clients are always fully clothed and often covered by a cozy blanket. You share what you are experiencing inside, and I share what I’m noticing from the outside.

Feeling and identifying sensations is part of the goal.

SE is another tool for building secure attachment.

Touch helps promote healing and is transformative by helping regulate your nervous system.

Touch lets us connect with who we are, our environment, and other people.

Please reach out if you feel you would benefit from Touch Skills work. I would love to help you experience more ease, power, and connection.

Call today for a free 20-minute consultation, or email me below.