Peter A. Levine, Ph.D., born on February 19, 1942, is a renowned figure in the field of trauma therapy and the development of Somatic Experiencing® (SE). With a background spanning physics, biology, and psychology, Peter Levine has dedicated his career to understanding and treating trauma through a body-centered approach. His innovative methodologies have significantly impacted the understanding and treatment of trauma, emphasizing the body’s innate capacity to heal. This article explores the extensive career, educational background, and significant contributions of Peter Levine to the field of somatic psychology and trauma therapy.
Education and Academic Foundation of Peter Levine
Peter Levine’s academic journey is marked by a diverse and interdisciplinary approach, laying a robust foundation for his groundbreaking work in trauma. He began his higher education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a B.S. in Physics Engineering in 1964. His minors in Mathematics and Psychology during this period already hinted at his future interdisciplinary approach to understanding complex systems, both physical and psychological.
Later, Peter Levine pursued doctoral studies at the University of California, Berkeley, culminating in a P.h.D. in Medical and Biological Physics in 1977. His specialization within the Group in Biophysics, an interdisciplinary program focused on Physical Biology, Life Science, Neurophysiology, and Physiological Psychology, was instrumental in shaping his understanding of the intricate connections between the body and mind, particularly in the context of stress and trauma. This rigorous scientific training provided Peter Levine with a unique lens through which to view psychological phenomena, integrating biological and physiological principles into his therapeutic approaches.
Continuing his exploration into the psychological realm, Peter Levine further obtained a P.h.D. in Psychology from International University, Los Angeles in 1978. This doctorate, earned through an Independent Directed Tutorial, allowed him to delve deeper into the specific aspects of psychology that would inform his later work in trauma resolution. This dual doctorate in both biophysics and psychology underscores Peter Levine’s commitment to a holistic and scientifically grounded approach to understanding and treating trauma.
Professional Experience and Contributions of Peter Levine
Peter Levine’s professional career is as extensive and varied as his academic background, marked by significant contributions to the fields of somatic education, trauma therapy, and stress management. His experience spans clinical practice, research, teaching, and publishing, reflecting his multifaceted expertise and dedication.
Leadership and Founding Roles
A cornerstone of Peter Levine’s career is his role as the Founder and President of the Ergos Institute of Somatic Education, a position he has held since 1985. This institute serves as a hub for somatic education and training, embodying Levine’s commitment to disseminating his body-oriented approaches to healing and personal development.
In 1994, Peter Levine further extended his impact by founding the Foundation for Human Enrichment, also known as the Somatic Experiencing® Institute, in Lyons, Colorado. As Founder and Senior Advisor, he has been instrumental in developing and promoting Somatic Experiencing® globally. This institute is pivotal in training practitioners in SE, ensuring the widespread and effective application of this trauma resolution technique.
Peter Levine’s expertise is also recognized within the addiction treatment field. Since 2007, he has served as a Senior Clinical Fellow and Advisor to The Meadows Addiction Treatment Center in Wickenberg, Arizona. His role here highlights the relevance of somatic approaches in addressing the often trauma-related roots of addiction.
Further expanding his reach into publishing and disseminating knowledge, Peter Levine became the President and Editorial Director of Ergos Institute Press in 2003. This publishing arm, co-published with North Atlantic Press, facilitates the publication of works related to somatic experiencing and trauma, making these resources more accessible to professionals and the public.
Teaching and Academic Engagements
Peter Levine has been actively involved in academia throughout his career, sharing his knowledge and experience with future generations of therapists and healthcare professionals. He served as a Guest Teacher for CIIS – California Institute of Integral Studies from 2001 to 2007 and held the position of Distinguished Faculty at Santa Barbara Graduate Institute during the same period. These roles allowed him to influence the curriculum and train students in somatic approaches within integral and depth psychology frameworks.
Earlier in his career, Peter Levine’s teaching experience includes positions at Antioch College, Esalen Institute, and the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. These diverse academic engagements demonstrate his commitment to integrating somatic principles into various educational settings, from conventional universities to holistic learning centers.
Consulting and Advisory Roles
Peter Levine’s expertise has been sought after in various consulting roles across diverse settings. He served as a Consultant for the Colorado Center for Bio-behavioral Health in 1995 and for the Pain and Rehabilitation Clinic at Mapleton Center and Community Hospital in Boulder, Colorado, from 1994 to 1997. These roles underscore his ability to apply somatic principles in clinical settings focused on both mental and physical health.
His consulting work extends to international and crisis response contexts. Peter Levine was a Member of the Task Force, Institute of World Affairs in 1999, contributing to the development of post-graduate level curriculum and training for responding to large-scale disasters and ethnopolitical conflicts. He also served on the Advisory Board for Trauma and Resiliency Resources from 2004 to 2005, supporting treatment programs for emergency workers involved in the WTC/911 events.
Peter Levine’s international experience includes serving as a Guest Teacher for OASIS in Copenhagen, Denmark, an international treatment program for refugees and torture victims (1988-1989). He also held guest teaching positions at Danish Psychiatric hospitals and the Bodynamic Institute in Copenhagen during the late 1980s, indicating his early influence in body-oriented therapy in Europe. Furthermore, he was a Consultant at the Hopi Guidance Center from 1986 to 1990, providing clinical training for native therapists, demonstrating his cross-cultural application of somatic principles.
Early Career and Research
Peter Levine’s early career included research and teaching positions that laid the groundwork for his later work. He was a Research Assistant at the University of Michigan (1962-1964) and at Bell Telephone Laboratories (1961), engaging in projects related to electronic prosthetic devices and neuro-cybernetics. These experiences in engineering and neurosciences early in his career provided a unique perspective that he later integrated into his understanding of trauma.
He held lecturing and instructing positions at the University of California, Berkeley, and Mills College in the late 1960s and early 1970s, teaching zoology and life sciences. Notably, Peter Levine was a Consultant to NASA Ames from 1978 to 1979, researching stress factors in space shuttle flight, a project that likely informed his understanding of extreme stress and its impact on the human system.
Published Works and Literary Contributions of Peter Levine
Peter Levine is a prolific author, with numerous books and articles that have become foundational texts in the field of trauma therapy. His publications articulate the principles of Somatic Experiencing® and offer practical guidance for therapists and individuals seeking to understand and heal from trauma.
Key Books
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma (1996) is arguably Peter Levine’s most influential work. This book introduces Somatic Experiencing® to a broad audience, explaining how trauma is stored in the body and how it can be resolved through gentle, body-oriented techniques. Waking the Tiger has been translated into over 25 languages, demonstrating its global impact.
In An Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness (2010) further elaborates on the neurobiological underpinnings of trauma and healing. Peter Levine delves deeper into the autonomic nervous system’s role in trauma responses and the body’s inherent capacity for self-regulation and healing.
Trauma-Proofing Your Kids: A Parent’s Guide for Instilling Confidence, Joy, and Resilience (2008), co-authored with Maggie Kline, applies somatic principles to child development, offering parents practical advice on how to help children build resilience to stress and trauma.
Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of the Body (2005), accompanied by a CD, provides a practical, step-by-step guide to Somatic Experiencing® exercises, making the method accessible for personal use.
Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in a Search for the Living Past (2015) explores the complex interplay between trauma and memory, offering a practical guide for understanding and working with traumatic memory in therapy.
Freedom from Pain: Discover Your Body’s Power to Overcome Pain (2011), co-authored with Maggie Phillips, applies somatic principles to chronic pain management, highlighting the connection between unresolved trauma and physical pain.
Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing (2007), also with Maggie Kline, focuses specifically on childhood trauma, providing insights and techniques for helping children heal from traumatic experiences.
Selected Articles and Chapters
Peter Levine’s scholarly contributions extend beyond his books to numerous articles and book chapters. His publications cover a wide range of topics within trauma and somatic psychology, including:
- Somatic Experiencing: using Interoception and Proprioception as Core Elements of Trauma Therapy (2015): This article, co-authored with Peter Payne and Mardi A. Crayne-Godreau, details the critical role of interoception and proprioception in Somatic Experiencing®.
- The Role of the Breath in Mind-Body Psychotherapy (2015): Co-authored with I. MacNaughton & G. Marlock, this chapter emphasizes the importance of breathwork in somatic psychotherapy.
- Trauma and Spirituality (2008): In this chapter within Measuring the Immeasurable: The Scientific Case for Spirituality, Peter Levine explores the intersection of trauma and spirituality, highlighting the potential for spiritual practices to aid in trauma recovery.
- Revisioning Anxiety and Trauma (1991): This chapter in Giving the Body Its Due discusses the somatic dimensions of anxiety and trauma.
Peter Levine’s earlier publications, such as Stress and Vegetotherapy (1978) and lntra-Uterine Environment, Stress and Neurological Development (1978), reveal his early interest in the physiological aspects of stress and trauma.
Conference Presentations and Recognition
Peter Levine is a sought-after speaker and presenter at conferences worldwide, sharing his insights and advancements in somatic experiencing and trauma therapy. His extensive list of conference presentations includes keynote addresses and expert panel participation at prestigious events.
Keynote Addresses and Awards
Peter Levine has delivered keynote addresses at numerous international conferences, including:
- Psychotherapy Networker Conference (2014, 2020)
- Erickson Evolution of Psychotherapy Congress (2017)
- Congress on Attachment & Trauma (2017)
- ATTACh 29th Annual Conference on Trauma and Attachment (2017)
- Foundations Recovery Network (2016)
- Breath of Life Conference (2012, 2013)
- Milton Erickson Brief Therapy Conference (2013)
- Frankfurt University (2013)
- UCLA Attachment and Interpersonal Psychology Conference (2013)
- International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (2011)
- National Institute for Applications in Behavior Medicine (NICABM) (2004, 2011)
- EMDR International Conference (2003)
- Family Systems: Passion and Responsibility, Wurzburg, Germany (2003)
- The Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists 10th annual conference (2002)
- “Neuroscience and the Somatic Treatment of Traumatic Stress: Integrating Scientific and Therapeutic Models” Conference (2001)
- Peace Building in the 21st Century Conference, Dubrovnick, Croatia (2000)
- American Polarity Therapy Association Conferences (1996, 1999)
- Naropa Institute Trauma Conference (1997)
- Oasis Tenth Anniversary, International Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark (1997)
- International Polarity Conference (1997)
- AHP (Assoc. of Humanistic Psychology) International Conference (1996)
- The International Somatics Congress (1995)
- National Guild for Structural Integration Conferences (1989)
- National AMTA Conference (1988)
- New Visions in Psychotherapy JFK University (1983)
Peter Levine has received several Lifetime Achievement Awards recognizing his profound impact on the field, including awards from the Psychotherapy Networker (2020), ATTACh (2017), United States Association for Body Psychotherapy (2010), and Reis Davis Chair, Psychoanalytic Institute, Los Angeles, California (2011) for his work in Infant and Child Psychiatry.
Professional Society Memberships and Certifications
Peter Levine’s professional affiliations and certifications further attest to his standing in the therapeutic community. He is a member of esteemed professional societies such as the American Psychological Association and the Humanistic Psychological Association. He is also a Fellow and Diplomat of the American Board of Medical Psychotherapists and the American Board of Stress Practitioners, and a Fellow and Diplomat of The American Institute of Stress. Additionally, he holds certification from ISSSEEM – International Society for the Study of Subtle Energies & Energy Medicine.
Conclusion
Peter Levine’s career is characterized by a deep commitment to understanding and healing trauma through the wisdom of the body. His development of Somatic Experiencing®, coupled with his extensive publications, teaching engagements, and clinical practice, has positioned him as a leading figure in trauma therapy. Peter Levine’s interdisciplinary background, blending physics, biology, and psychology, has enabled him to create a unique and effective approach to trauma resolution that continues to impact the lives of individuals and shape the field of somatic psychology. His legacy is firmly established through the Somatic Experiencing® Institute and the countless practitioners and individuals who have benefited from his pioneering work.
