What is Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing® is a therapy that helps to relieve and resolve the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental and physical trauma-related health problems by focusing on the client’s perceived body sensations (Somatic Experiences).

Somatic Experiencing was launched in 1997 by Dr. Peter Levine in his groundbreaking book “Waking the Tiger.” In it, he discusses at length his observations of animals in the wild, and how they deal with and recover from life-threatening situations.

In 1996, Catalina Ureta was among the first students certified under Dr. Levine to become a Supervisor/Trainer of SE Practitioners.

  • “Catalina helped relieve my chronic sciatic pain, release long-held tensions, and rejuvenate psychologically.”

    — Jason Feb. 2019

  • “ You changed my life with our sessions! ”

    — Vanessa June 2018

  • “Thank you for the amazing session! I appreciate your incredible gifts, your support and love. I feel so much lighter and grateful.”

    — Michelle 1-25-2017

  • “Thank you for the healing. that was so powerful. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

    — Idan 12-27-2016

  • “Thanks for a wonderful session yesterday. I feel like I'm gradually healing and getting back on track. ”

    — Stephen 1-6-2017

  • “Thank you for all of the amazing work. It was life-changing. It feels so great to be back and connected with my body.”

    — Nicole 12-28-2016

  • “A small thanks for all your work and healing. You have helped reopen my heart. I'm eternally grateful.”

    — Theresa Feb. 2017

  • “Trauma does not have to be a life sentence.”

    — Dr. Peter Levine

  • “As human beings, we are biologically designed to respond to and recover from threat.”

    — Dr. Peter Levine Oct. 2011

  • “The Points Holding Process is a transformative healing modality.”

    — Susan Oct. 2011

Book: Somatic Healing in the Age of Trauma

❤️ Available Now ❤️ ‌ ‌ This book shows how the overwhelming experiences of trauma can only be understood by integrating various fields of knowledge such as neuroscience, developmental psychopathology, and interpersonal neurobiology. The clarity of vision of this work makes it very accessible to understand and adequately treat traumatic stress. In this book you […]

Chile Somatic Workshop 2018

Somatic Chile

The Instituto Somatica is now hosting Points Holding Process™ (PHP) trainings in Santiago, Chile.  See link below for more info. Instituto Somatico Chile Instituto Neurociencias

An ancient art rediscovered

The Points Holding Process™ is thought to be an ancient art rediscovered that facilitates healing and consciousness. P.H.P. practitioners hold pressure points on the body for extended periods of time in a way that allows these buried emotions to become awakened. Many report, “finding the inner joy of re-connecting with their inner self” and “seeing […]

Somatic Institute

  • Book: Somatic Healing in the Age of Trauma

    ❤️ Available Now ❤️ ‌ ‌ This book shows how the overwhelming experiences of trauma can only be understood by integrating various fields of knowledge such as neuroscience, developmental psychopathology, and interpersonal neurobiology. The clarity of vision of this work makes it very accessible to understand and adequately treat traumatic stress. In this book you […]

  • Chile Somatic Workshop 2018

    Somatic Chile

    The Instituto Somatica is now hosting Points Holding Process™ (PHP) trainings in Santiago, Chile.  See link below for more info. Instituto Somatico Chile Instituto Neurociencias

  • Welcome to the Somatic Institute

    Somatic Institute™ is a resource for Somatic Experiencing® Practitioners as well as those new to Somatic practice. Here you can sign up for continued Workshops and Training Certification. The Somatic Institute can also help you find a practitioner near you.        If you would like to take part in our next Practitioner Training, […]

  • Techniques that release trapped emotions

    Catalina Ureta was born in Chile in the shadow of the magical Andes mountains. After years of spiritual study in Chile, she courageously moved to the United States in 1975 to continue her spiritual and healing work. A certified Kinesiologist and Cranial Sacral worker, Catalina has trained in multiple healing modalities including, the “Energetic Clearing […]