THE KEY TO TRAUMA RECOVERY IS NOT TO RELIVE THE TRAUMA, BUT TO CREATE NEW EXPERIENCES IN THE BODY.
DR. PETER A. LEVINE
SE Institute for Stress and Trauma
Body-oriented trauma therapy for stress, trauma, and emotional overwhelm
In stressful or overwhelming situations, our body often reacts faster than our mind — with tension, withdrawal, or emotional shutdown. Such automatic stress responses reflect a nervous system still stuck in protection mode. They can persist unnoticed for a long time — significantly affecting our well-being, relationships, and daily life.
Somatic Experiencing® (SE), developed by international trauma researcher Dr. Peter Levine, is a body-centered approach to trauma processing that uses the body’s memory to release trapped stress energy. The method supports the self-regulation of the nervous system, promotes emotional stability, and enables new, empowering experiences — gently, mindfully, and at your own pace. Healing does not happen through confrontation but through a return to inner safety and self-efficacy.
At the SE Institute for Stress and Trauma, I accompany you in individual sessions with body-centered process work — professional, empathetic, and solution-focused. You are in the right place if you seek new ways to find relief, stability, and quality of life after traumatic experiences, chronic stress, or recurring symptoms such as sleep disturbances, overwhelm, or emotional hyperarousal. People interested in personal development, self-exploration, or professional reflection also find a protected space here.
The effectiveness of body-oriented methods like Somatic Experiencing® is increasingly supported by research and modern body psychotherapy approaches — whether for trauma processing, preventing chronic stress, or strengthening resilience and sustainable self-regulation.
Understanding Trauma
Inner Stability
Activate Healing Resources
Strengthening Connection
Understanding Trauma
When the body remains on alert
Trauma often works subtly — through bodily reactions we cannot interpret: constant tension, withdrawal, hypersensitivity, or emotional numbness. Many live with such symptoms without realizing their autonomic nervous system remains in a state of protection and alarm — long after the actual event.
Somatic Experiencing® (SE), a body-oriented approach to trauma processing, helps to understand these reactions as natural survival strategies — and to gently resolve them.
inner stability
Learning self-regulation — at your own pace
When our inner balance is lost, it becomes difficult to stay capable of action in daily life. Many experience emotional flooding or feel cut off — from themselves, others, and life. Somatic Experiencing® (SE) promotes nervous system self-regulation — through finely tuned awareness and regulation of what is present. This creates inner stability — not through pressure, but through physically anchored safety. The focus of my work is the desire to effectively support people in improving their quality of life, unfolding their potential, and sustainably being in their power.
I’m committed to supporting people in finding more balance – emotionally and physically – and living a more fulfilled life.
Activate Healing resources
Body sensations as a path to healing
Many lose access to what strengthens them after stressful experiences: trust, vitality, connection. Attention often unconsciously focuses on what is missing or painful — a typical pattern after chronic stress or traumatic experiences. Somatic Experiencing® (SE) helps to reconnect with healing resources stored in the body memory — through orientation, breath, bodily sensations, or inner images. This opens a new access to inner safety that comes from within.
Strengthening connection
Making contact and closeness possible again
Traumatic experiences often affect our relationships: closeness can feel uncomfortable, withdrawal becomes a protective strategy. At the same time, the desire for connection arises — but without overwhelm. Somatic Experiencing® (SE) creates a safe framework for body-oriented relational experiences. Attachment becomes newly accessible — mindfully, at your own pace, without pressure. This allows genuine contact again — with yourself and others.
Regain inner stability
Healing begins where we feel safe enough to sense.
Many physical and psychological symptoms commonly diagnosed today — such as exhaustion, anxiety, concentration problems, or chronic pain — stem from unresolved traumatic experiences or ongoing stress. Often, these connections remain undiscovered. Instead, symptoms are treated in isolation — with classic therapies or medications that do not reach the underlying nervous system imbalance.
Somatic Experiencing® offers a different path: a mindful, body-centered approach to trauma recovery that directly addresses where hyperarousal is stored — in the autonomic nervous system. Through gentle guidance, internal resources, and physically felt safety, a profound reorganization of traumatic reactions becomes possible.
Believing that real change requires time, space, and compassion, I am also committed to SE training and part of an international network for body-oriented trauma therapy.
If you want to embark on a journey — towards relief, strengthening, or developing your inner powers — I am happy to accompany you. In a safe, professional space. At your own pace.
I look forward to supporting people on their way to a fulfilling and energetic life in psychological and physical balance.
Maria Tapia
EmotionAid® Facilitator
Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner
Licensed Alternative Practitioner (Heilpraktikerin) for Psychotherapy
Systemic Business Coach
