A Body-Mind Approach to Healing Trauma and Increasing Resiliency, with Rhonda Kelloway, LCSW, SEP, MBA of Life Care Wellness.
Thanks to all who joined us by Zoom Friday, April 17, 2020, for The Juniper Center’s monthly North Suburban(ish) networking and education program. We were determined not to miss in the current “stay-at-home” environment and presented the workshop virtually. Thanks to the 100 or so people who joined us online!
What is Somatic Experiencing?
This presentation was a brief overview of Somatic Experiencing (SE). SE is a psychobiological method for resolving trauma symptoms, relieving chronic stress, and increasing the capacity to negotiate stress and trauma.
SE was developed by Peter A. Levine, PhD after he became curious why animals in the wild appear not to get PTSD, despite repeated exposure to life-threatening events. Yet the human animal frequently succumbs to the disorder.
This presentation covered how the SE approach understands traumatic stress and human stress behavior and how the framework of SE can assess where a person is “stuck” in fight/flight/freeze responses. It will look at how SE’s clinical tools help to resolve fixated states, transform old patterns, and strengthen resiliency.
The presentation will compare cognitive approaches to trauma with more somatic (body-focused) approaches. It will also include simple exercises that illustrate SE principles that can be used clinically or with the self to support and enhance self-regulation.
The presentation can help participants know if the upcoming SE training, beginning in early April, may be a fit for them.
About Rhonda Kelloway
Rhonda Kelloway, LCSW, SEP, MBA is owner and principal therapist of a psychotherapy group practice of 19 therapists with specialties in trauma, behavioral issues, and wellness. Life Care Wellness has offices in Glen Ellyn, Chicago’s Jefferson Park neighborhood, and Sycamore, Illinois.
Rhonda is a trauma specialist who focuses on developmental trauma and complex PTSD. She has advanced training in trauma therapies, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Somatic Experiencing, and trauma touch skills.
Rhonda currently serves as a lead assistant at Somatic Experiencing trainings in the suburban Chicago area. She also assists SE faculty at trainings across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In addition to being a somatic psychotherapist, Rhonda is a divorce and family mediator and popular speaker about mental health topics.
Rhonda earned her MBA from Vanderbilt University and her MSW from Loyola University Chicago. She worked with all ages at a Christian non-profit community counseling agency prior to beginning private practice. Learn more about Rhonda and Life Care Wellness at life-care-wellness.com.
Watch the full replay of the webinar here:
