Somatic Experiential Play Therapy (SEPT) is an integrative therapeutic approach that combines principles from somatic experiencing (body-based trauma therapy), experiential therapy (action-oriented emotional processing), and play therapy (child-centered, expressive techniques). It is designed to help individuals, particularly children, process trauma, regulate emotions, and build resilience by engaging the body, mind, and imagination through structured yet flexible play-based interventions.

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Core Components of SEPT:

•  Somatic Awareness

•  Focuses on bodily sensations (e.g., tension, breath, movement) to help a child recognize and release stored trauma or stress.

• Uses bottom-up processing (body to brain) to regulate the nervous system.

• Experiential Techniques

• Incorporates role-playing, art, sand tray, or storytelling to externalize and reframe emotional experiences.

• Encourages embodied expression (e.g., "show me where you feel that in your body").

• Play Therapy Modalities

• Leverages toys, games, and creative activities to create a safe, non-verbal space for processing emotions.

• Follows the child’s lead while gently guiding them toward therapeutic goals (e.g., attachment repair, anxiety reduction).

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SEPT is particularly effective for children ages 0-8 years of age who struggle to verbalize distress, as it bypasses cognitive defenses through embodied play. 

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