A Conversation With Peter Levine
Public Programs

A Conversation With Peter Levine

On an Autobiography of Trauma

 

  • Online Conversation
  • Register to access the livestream and one week of ad-free replay access
  • Books are available to add to your order at check-out for pick-up from Marcus Books in Oakland, California or delivery within the United States
     

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 Levine color portrait. Peter Levine is an older, white man posed in front of bookshelves lined with books. He is smiling and wearing a brightly-colored plaid button-down.

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 color portrait. Rae is an white person, who is looking down slighting and wearing a gray scarf and dark-colored top and is posed against a bright yellow/mustard background.

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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Accessibility

If you need to request accessibility accommodations, please email publicprograms@ciis.edu at least one week prior to the event. For more information, explore our Accessibility web page.

Important Event Information

Access to the livestream event is limited to registered guests. Registered ticket holders will receive the link to watch the livestream, will have access to chat and Q&A, and will have an ad-free watching experience.

Recording Policy

Ticket holders will have access to an ad-free replay of the event for one week after the live event. A replay with ads will be released on our YouTube channel one week after the livestream. Portions of the audio will also be released on our podcast. Only registered ticket holders who choose to watch live can participate in the chat and Q&A.

Refunding Policy

All tickets and donations for this event are nonrefundable.