About the Workshop
Join us for “Introduction to Somatic Experiencing: Understanding Nervous System Threat Responses and Regulation” on May 6, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 3:45 pm.This introductory workshop provides an overview of Somatic Experiencing® (SE™), a body-oriented approach to understanding and working with stress and trauma developed by Peter A. Levine. Participants will explore how the autonomic nervous system responds to threat through patterns of fight, flight, freeze, and collapse. The workshop will introduce key principles of nervous system regulation, including orienting, tracking body sensations, and supporting pendulation between activation and regulation. Through lecture and experiential exercises, participants will learn practical tools for recognizing nervous system states and supporting regulation in themselves and their clients.
Date: May 6, 2026
Time: Registration & Refreshments – 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m; Workshop 12:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m., one 15 minute break
Fees: $50 fee, 3 CE credits offered
Location: Sharp Prebys Innovation & Education Center, 8695 Spectrum Center Blvd., San Diego, CA 92123
Educational Goals:
This workshop aims to deepen clinicians’ understanding of how the autonomic nervous system organizes responses to threat and safety. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of Somatic Experiencing principles and learn practical ways to recognize nervous system states in themselves and their clients. The training supports the development of greater clinical sensitivity to physiological processes underlying stress, trauma, and resilience.
Measurable Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Identify four autonomic nervous system survival responses: social engagement, fight, flight, and freeze.
- Distinguish between sympathetic activation and parasympathetic responses in the autonomic nervous system.
- Identify three physiological indicators of nervous system dysregulation following overwhelming experiences.
- Explain the role of body awareness in supporting nervous system regulation.
- Apply three Somatic Experiencing skills used to support regulation: orienting, sensation tracking, and resourcing.
Who Should Attend:
Mental health therapists, counselors, social workers, school psychologists, trainees, students, and anyone passionate about child and family therapy in San Diego County. Earn CEUs while advancing your skills!
Presenter:
Mahshid Hager, LMFT, SEP
Mahshid Hager is a licensed marriage and family therapist and Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and educator who teaches nationally and internationally. Her work focuses on nervous system regulation, trauma healing, and integrating somatic awareness into clinical practice.
Course Flyer: Somatic Experiencing
Course syllabus and additional details will be emailed after you register.
To receive updated registration information, contact: Edralyn Botz, ebotz@pfcs.agency
For more information on continuing education at Palomar Family Counseling Service, contact:
Chris DuVall, cduvall@pfcs.agency or David Drazenovich, ddrazenovich@pfcs.agency
Funding for this workshop provided in part by:
