This video of MELD’s Session with Peter Levine, PhD, dives into his Somatic Experiencing work.

Throughout my journey in men’s emotional wellness and somatic therapies, I have encountered numerous transformative ideas. None have left as profound an impact as Dr. Peter Levine’s pioneering work in Somatic Experiencing. His teachings have significantly influenced our foundational practices at MELD, blending seamlessly with our commitment to holistic men’s health.

Dr. Peter Levine’s Unique Trauma Approach: Dr. Levine unravels the complexities of trauma with his innovative Somatic Experiencing method, emphasizing the pivotal role of the body in trauma response and recovery. His insights provide a vital framework for understanding the physiological underpinnings of trauma — a perspective that resonates deeply with our somatic approach at MELD. By integrating these principles, we enhance our programs, focusing on body awareness and emotional regulation as essential components of healing and resilience.

I vividly remember attending a session at our Rolf Institute annual conference in 1980 where Peter first described the “freeze response” to trauma. It was a revelatory moment for me, clarifying what had always felt like a missing piece in traditional psychological paradigms. This insight not only deepened my understanding but also catalyzed a broader awakening to the complex interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in trauma response.

Peter described how mammals will instinctually go into the freeze response — appearing to be dead when running, and fighting are no longer options. It was one of those moments when someone pointed out something you were seeing, but you did not believe you were seeing it.

He built on my awakening when he went on to say that beneath the appearance of no action or life, the hyper-arousal state of the sympathetic nervous system was still online. In the wild, when the animal has a chance to shake it off, he gets to reset his body to the homeostatic parasympathetic nervous system.

Since that moment, his model became the foundation of all work as a Rolfer in my clinic, and  then when I created a new model for men’s groups and men’s work in 2005 when I started the Sandpoint Men’s Group (SMG). The group’s reparation grew, and I was asked to train other groups and men. That led to this work becoming the programs we offered at EVRYMAN. At the end of 2023, EVRYMAN’s core team and I brought all my copyrighted work to MELD, where we are refining it further.

That day in 1980, I would have never thought I would be developing companies for men based on Peter’s work. I did know what he developed would eventually be accepted as a powerful way to heal our physiological and emotional limitations.

Community Interaction and its Transformative Impact: Our MELD session with Peter highlighted his engaging interaction with our community. He shared powerful stories of transformation that echoed the experiences of many men in our programs. His acknowledgment of the nuanced challenges in men’s emotional health was inspiring and reinforced the transformative power of our work. At MELD, we apply similar skills to those Peter described, aiding men in their journey toward emotional fluency and resilience.

Dr. Levine’s Personal Journey: Dr. Levine also shared his personal challenges and his path to healing, which resonated with many of us. His approach to transforming personal trauma into a tool for aiding others embodies the core teachings we cherish at MELD. His emphasis on the importance of community and safe spaces aligns perfectly with our mission to create supportive environments where men can express vulnerability and cultivate resilience.

Dr. Peter Levine’s work continues to be a cornerstone of our therapeutic approaches at MELD, offering invaluable tools that empower men to lead healthier, more emotionally connected lives. I invite you to explore the principles of Somatic Experiencing further in our upcoming workshops and sessions, where we delve into these life-changing techniques.

Please see this PDF for the transcript of the session with Dr. Peter Levine.