Somatic Experiencing for Addiction & Trauma Recovery

Trauma doesn’t just live in your mind—it lives in your body. The tension you carry in your shoulders, the knot in your stomach, the way your chest tightens in certain situations—these are all ways your nervous system holds onto experiences it hasn’t fully processed. Somatic Experiencing is a body-centered approach to healing that helps release this stored trauma, and at Seasons in Malibu, we use it as part of our comprehensive treatment to help clients reconnect with themselves and build lasting recovery.

What Is Somatic Experiencing?

Developed by Dr. Peter Levine, Somatic Experiencing (SE) is based on the understanding that trauma disrupts the body’s natural ability to regulate itself. When we experience something overwhelming, our nervous system can get stuck in survival mode—fight, flight, or freeze—long after the threat has passed. This chronic dysregulation often shows up as anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or addiction, as people reach for substances to calm a nervous system that won’t settle on its own.

SE works by gently guiding you to notice physical sensations in your body and allowing your nervous system to complete the self-protective responses that got interrupted during traumatic experiences. It’s not about reliving painful events—it’s about helping your body finally let go of what it’s been holding.

If you or someone you love is struggling with trauma or addiction, we’re here to help. Call us at 424-235-2009 for a confidential consultation.

How Somatic Experiencing Supports Recovery

Many people in recovery discover that even after they stop using, they still feel on edge, disconnected from their bodies, or easily overwhelmed. This is often because their nervous system is still carrying the imprint of past trauma. Without addressing this, relapse becomes more likely—the body keeps seeking relief, even when the mind knows better.

Somatic Experiencing helps restore your nervous system’s natural capacity for regulation. As you learn to tolerate and release the sensations associated with trauma, you develop a new relationship with your body—one where you can feel grounded, present, and capable of handling life’s challenges without needing to escape.

At Seasons in Malibu, our doctoral-level therapists integrate SE into individualized treatment plans, meeting you where you are and working at a pace that feels safe.

What to Expect During Somatic Experiencing Sessions

SE sessions are gentle and collaborative. Your therapist will guide you to bring awareness to physical sensations—perhaps a tightness in your chest, warmth in your hands, or a subtle impulse to move. You won’t be asked to dive into traumatic memories. Instead, the focus stays on what’s happening in your body in the present moment.

Over time, this process helps your nervous system discharge the survival energy it’s been holding, often leading to a profound sense of relief and calm. Clients frequently describe feeling more embodied, more at ease, and more like themselves than they have in years.

Coming Home to Your Body

Addiction often begins as an attempt to escape unbearable feelings—to get out of a body that doesn’t feel safe. Somatic Experiencing offers a different path: learning to inhabit your body again, to trust its signals, and to feel at home in your own skin. This is the foundation for a recovery that lasts.

If you’re ready to explore how Somatic Experiencing and our integrative treatment approach can support your healing, reach out to our admissions team at 424-235-2009 or contact us online. All consultations are confidential.