Too often, we are trained to focus on our clients' pain and conflict. But for Levine, working with clients can and often must begin from a place of goodness, pleasure, and the recognition of positive emotions and bodily states. Full embodiment, or somatic awareness, is the greatest resource a therapist can have, and the most beneficial gift they can share with their client. It is what Levine calls somatic resonance, a unique and often neglected form of empathy.
By not only watching, but participating in Levine’s conversation with Yalom, you will be well prepared to apply these enjoyable, effective, and easy-to-use techniques that include:
- adding regular physical movement to daily life, whether it be through sport, casual exercise, or structured activities like yoga or Tai Chi to increase your own somatic awareness
- practicing focused deep breathing to channel the flow of energy through the entire body
- noticing thoughts in their entirety, along with their bodily sensations so they can be fully and deeply processed
- attending to somatic resonance — or physical mirroring — with your client as a form of bodily empathy
- being curious about what the client is experiencing, particularly in their body so they can take these lessons home with them
So, sit back, or better yet, stand up, breathe, stretch and prepare to take in Levine’s powerful lessons.
Length of video: 1:09:56
English subtitles available
Group ISBN-10 #: 1-60124-605-6
Group ISBN-13 #: 978-1-60124-605-9
Peter A. Levine, PhD, is the developer of Somatic Experiencing© and founder of the
Foundation for Human Enrichment. He teaches trainings in this work throughout the world and in various indigenous cultures. Levine is the author of the best-selling book
Waking the Tiger : Healing Trauma : The Innate Capacity to Transform Overwhelming Experiences and he has recently co-published a comprehensive book on childhood trauma,
Trauma Through a Child's Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing as well as a guide for parents,
Trauma-Proofing Your Kids: A Parents' Guide for Instilling Confidence, Joy and Resilience. He is the recipient of the 2010 Lifetime Achievement Award from the the US Association of Body Psychotherapy.
CE credits: 1
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the core therapeutic elements of Somatic Experiencing
- Integrate Somatic Experiencing into case conceptualizations
- Confidently integrate somatic techniques into your clinical work
Bibliography available upon request
This course is offered for ASWB ACE credit for social workers. See complete list of CE approvals here
© 2023