I have officially begun my second year of the three year Somatic Experiencing® training program. This past weekend, I went to the Intermediate 1 module: four-full-days here in central New Hampshire, with two faculty members and around ten facilitators.
Last year, my cohort and I began learning about what SE™ is and how it works, and we learned and practiced the basics. I’ve developed a practice of value to my clients based on these skills. Those basics are what I’ve been writing to you about over the last four or so months.
The nervous system, regulation, titration, pendulation, resourcing, completion…
Curiosity, tracking, presence…
Turns out, that’s what SE™ is!
That’s not to say I’ve learned it all, by any means, but there’s a reason that my sessions with clients have been as constructive as they have. Because we have learned the foundational skills, which will continue to be developed and deepened and added to, but not changed or supplanted by anything new and different or better and harder.
The intermediate year is about specific types of trauma- one type for each of the 12 days we’re together. Each day, we learn some normal indicators or “tells” that point toward a certain class of event or experience that has left an indelible mark on the nervous system. Then we learn about what, in our toolbox, might be the most useful principles, techniques, sequences, and exercises to bring to our client.
Happily, our teachers have such a wealth and depth of knowledge that we get to hear and learn about more techniques we can try. But each of those they shared this past weekend was a variation on the themes we learned and practiced last year.
What this means, in practice, is that although I have had all of four days since the end of the module, I have already brought some of the new stuff to bear.
It’s how my brain works. I hear. Absorb. Practice.
Then I practice more and share/educate/teach to incorporate the new stuff and make it part of me.
But that’s not all these modules are about. We spend a ton of time learning to “human-in-relationship,” as I call it. Creating and holding a container. Making sure people feel heard and taken care of within that container. Repairing damage to feelings and trust. The feeling of community and camaraderie is even stronger than I remember of college- and we’ve spent 16 days together, at most.
I got tons of great feedback from folx at the training, too. I’ve been working my butt off in my practice, and it shows! Turns out I have some issues around receiving praise… That could be a whole ‘nother post.
But I’m finding a confidence that comes from doing the work with myself and clients. My understanding and technique will deepen and enrichen; and I’m aware of the value I provide now.
The whole weekend was exhausting… and amazing! Each time I work with a client, I reaffirm that this is the right move for me. Each time I go to a training module, I am blown away by how great this stuff is, and how cool it is that I get to learn it and share with others.
Like you!
I’m also playing with the idea of seminar-type classes, discussing those basic principles as I see them and use them with my work in renaturing. Renaturing is what I call my work as a Freedom Guide. If this sounds intriguing, please let me know!
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