Join Dr. Peter A. Levine, renowned developer of Somatic Experiencing—a naturalistic and neurobiological approach to healing trauma and other stress-related disorders—for an intimate conversation with social worker, somatic movement therapist, and scholar/activist Rae Johnson. In their conversation they explore Dr. Levine’s personal healing journey and the evolution of his innovative healing method.   

Dr. Levine changed the way psychologists, doctors, and healers understand and treat the wounds of trauma and abuse. In this conversation, he shares his own experience of severe childhood trauma and how he helped thousands of others before resolving his own trauma. Sharing insights from his recent memoir, An Autobiography of Trauma, Dr. Levine explains how being guided through Somatic Experiencing allowed him to illuminate and untangle his traumatic wounds.  

Dr. Levine discusses how the Somatic Experiencing method is derived from his studies of wild animals in their natural environments, neurobiology, and more than 50 years of clinical observations. He also shares the mysterious and unexpected dreams and visions that have guided him through his life’s work.  

Dr. Levine shares that anyone suffering from trauma has a valuable story to tell, and that by telling our stories, we can catalyze the return of hope, dignity, and wholeness.
  

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Peter A. Levine, PhD, is the renowned developer of Somatic Experiencing. He holds a doctorate in medical and biological physics from the University of California at Berkeley and a doctorate in psychology from International University. The recipient of four lifetime achievement awards, he is the author of several books, including Waking the Tiger, which has now been printed in 33 countries and has sold over a million copies.  

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Rae Johnson, PhD, RSW, RSMT, BCC (they/them) is a board-certified coach, somatic movement therapist, and scholar/activist working at the intersections of embodiment and social justice. Currently a professor of somatic psychology at California Institute of Integral Studies, Rae has held leadership roles in several somatic psychology graduate programs over the past two decades. More recently, they played a key role in developing the first Embodied Social Justice Certificate, an online program that brought together hundreds of thought leaders, practitioners, and community change agents to help shape the emerging field of embodied social justice. Rae is the author of several books, including Embodied Social Justice (Routledge, 2018, 2022) and Embodied Activism (North Atlantic Books, 2023).

We are grateful to our Bookstore Partner

Marcus Books is the nation’s oldest Black-owned independent bookstore celebrating its 60th year. Marcus Books’ mission is to provide opportunities for Black folks and their allies to celebrate and learn about Black people everywhere. Learn more about Marcus Books.

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Refunding Policy

All tickets and donations for this event are nonrefundable.