Somatic Experiencing® Professional Training Kelowna

The SE™ Professional Training program is a dynamic continuing education certificate program designed to support you in making a profound difference with those suffering from trauma or chronic stress. 

What is Somatic Experiencing®?

Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) is a body-oriented therapeutic model applied in multiple professions and professional settings—psychotherapy, medicine, coaching, teaching, and physical therapy—for healing trauma and other stress disorders. It is based on a multidisciplinary intersection of physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics and has been clinically applied for more than four decades. It is the life’s work of Dr. Peter A. Levine.

The SE approach releases traumatic shock, which is key to transforming PTSD and the wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma. It offers a framework to assess where a person is “stuck” in the fight, flight or freeze responses and provides clinical tools to resolve these fixated physiological states. SE provides effective skills appropriate to a variety of healing professions including mental health, medicine, physical and occupational therapies, bodywork, addiction treatment, first response, education, and others.

Admission Standards

The Somatic Experiencing® Professional Training is a continuing education certificate program designed to enhance the skills of professionals working with traumatized or stressed individuals.

To be considered for admission, applicants must be professionals with an active practice so that the techniques learned in the training can be immediately applied and developed throughout the course of the program. Exceptions may be granted to graduate students participating in an internship program. Applications are approved on a case-by-case basis.* Professionals who may qualify for the SE™ Professional Training program.

• Mental Health Professionals: psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, psychotherapists, social workers, counsellors, marriage and family therapists, expressive arts therapists, etc.
• Medical and Alternative Medicine Professionals: medical doctors, nurses and nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, emergency medical workers, surgeons, obstetricians, midwives, acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, etc.
• Bodyworkers: massage therapists, Rolfers®, Craniosacral and Polarity therapists, Feldenkrais practitioners, yoga therapists, etc.
• Others: first responders, crisis centre staff, educators, mediators, clergy, chaplains, coaches, etc.

This program is designed to train professionals in working more effectively with client trauma. It is not suitable for those solely seeking a personal-growth experience or for those who do not have an active professional practice. Acceptance into the SE™ Professional Training does not ensure that all SE™ methods will be appropriate for inclusion in your professional practice. Training participants are responsible for operating within their professional scope of practice and for abiding by provincial and federal laws. * The Somatic Experiencing® International reserves the right to approve or deny any application, and/or accept or reject the participation of any person in its sole discretion and in accordance with its policies and the law. Click here to learn how to apply and to start the process!

"It is such an informative, challenging and positive experience. Thank you."

Past SE student

"This training has provided me with the safe space to explore my body's responses in a way that I would have normally missed or skipped past. I appreciate the experiential learning of the elements of Somatic Experiencing as a practice/modality, but also as an experience of my very own. "

Past SE student

"I loved it... I am honestly so happy that we are able to continue the training. Again, I was so impressed how it was brought together."

Past SE student

"I am amazed and content with the format of the training and from this end, how it seemed to be seamless from moving from in-person training to all online!! Great work."

Past SE student