Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is a body-based therapeutic approach designed to help people heal from trauma and chronic stress. Instead of focusing only on thoughts or memories, it works with the body’s natural responses to stress—such as tension, tightness, or restlessness. By gently guiding attention to physical sensations, Somatic Experiencing helps release stored survival energy and restore balance to the nervous system.

This method is often helpful for those who feel “stuck” in patterns of anxiety, hypervigilance, or numbness after overwhelming experiences. Through slow, mindful exploration, clients can gradually renegotiate their relationship with past events, building resilience and a greater sense of safety in the present. The goal is not to relive trauma, but to restore the body’s capacity to self-regulate and promote long-term healing.

We currently offer Somatic Experiencing in Payson, Utah, and Gilbert, Arizona. You can learn more about how Dr. Shelby L. Schiller, LCSW-S employs Somatic Experiencing in her therapy here: https://directory.traumahealing.org/practitioner/shelby-schiller/