Somatic Experiencing (SE) and the SIBAM Model
Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a body-oriented therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine to address and heal trauma. SE focuses on releasing stored stress in the nervous system, helping clients move past overwhelming experiences that may linger as physical tension or emotional dysregulation. At the heart of this approach is the SIBAM model—a framework that integrates five core elements to help clients process trauma holistically.
The SIBAM Framework: A Holistic Guide to Healing
SIBAM stands for Sensation, Imagery, Behavior, Affect, and Meaning, offering a structured pathway for engaging with trauma through the body and mind. Let’s break down each component:
1. Sensation
SE begins with reconnecting clients to their body’s sensations, fostering a heightened awareness of physical experiences. These sensations, such as tension, warmth, or tingling, are viewed as pathways to uncover stored trauma. By noticing and naming these bodily feelings, clients start to reestablish a sense of safety and control over their physiological responses.
2. Imagery
Imagery involves the use of mental pictures or scenarios to explore inner experiences. Practitioners may use guided visualization, leading clients through calming or symbolic scenes, or interactive imagery, where the client describes what they "see" or imagine in real time. These exercises help bridge the gap between the body and the mind, facilitating insight into unconscious emotional patterns.
3. Behavior
Behavior refers to how clients physically respond during therapy, including body language, posture, or involuntary movements. Therapists observe these behaviors to identify signs of stress or release, such as a shift in breathing or a spontaneous gesture. These subtle cues can indicate progress as the body processes and integrates trauma.
4. Affect
Affect pertains to the emotions a person displays and the way these feelings are expressed through tone, language, or facial expressions. Observing changes in emotional expression helps therapists track how clients process emotions connected to their trauma. Clients also learn to regulate these emotions, moving away from overwhelm toward balance.
5. Meaning
Finally, meaning focuses on the client’s interpretation of their experiences. Through reflective conversations, clients make sense of the sensations, imagery, behaviors, and emotions they’ve explored in therapy. This step fosters integration and empowerment, allowing clients to view their trauma in a new light.
Key Techniques in Somatic Experiencing Therapy
In addition to SIBAM, SE incorporates techniques designed to help clients gradually resolve trauma by working with their nervous system. Here are some of the foundational practices:
Bodily Awareness: Clients learn to identify and track their physical responses to stress, helping them recognize how their nervous system reacts to trauma.
Resourcing: This technique strengthens a client’s internal resilience by connecting them to comforting memories, thoughts, or sensations that promote safety.
Titration: Instead of diving headfirst into overwhelming memories, titration involves working with small pieces of the trauma, reducing the risk of retraumatization.
Pendulation: Therapists guide clients between states of activation (experiencing tension) and relaxation, teaching the body how to return to equilibrium.
A Bottom-Up Approach to Healing
Unlike traditional “top-down” therapies that start with thoughts and memories, Somatic Experiencing (and EMDR) adopt a “bottom-up” approach, beginning with the body and its sensations. This method acknowledges that trauma often bypasses conscious thought, embedding itself in the body. By addressing trauma at its root, SE helps clients achieve lasting relief and resilience.
Final Thoughts
Somatic Experiencing and the SIBAM framework empower clients to process trauma gently and effectively. By engaging the body and mind, this approach creates a pathway to healing that feels accessible, transformative, and profoundly compassionate. Whether you are new to trauma therapy or exploring deeper ways to heal, SE offers a powerful set of tools to reconnect with your body and rediscover balance.
Martha Jimenez, LCSW is certified in Somatic Experiencing (SE). Click here to schedule a free 15-minute call with her.
