How the body remembers a traumatic event: a case study from Somatic Experiencing perspective

Abstract

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-centered approach to healing trauma that emphasises the importance of addressing physiological responses to traumatic experiences. This case study explores the therapeutic SE session in addressing medical trauma, focusing on a 38-year-old female who experienced cardiac arrest. The convergent mixed-method design integrates qualitative and quantitative data to provide a comprehensive analysis of the client’s journey through one SE therapy session. Central to this study is the examination of heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure of autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation. The findings illustrate how SE facilitates the restoration of autonomic balance and emotional regulation through body-centred interventions and therapist-assisted touch. HRV data revealed significant fluctuations corresponding to the client’s emotional and physiological states revealed in video recording of the session, highlighting the interplay between sympathetic and parasympathetic responses during the session. This study underscores the importance of incorporating physiological monitoring to enhance our understanding and treatment of trauma-related disorders. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.