Mindfulness-Based Somatic Emotional Processing

Mindfulness-Based Somatic Emotional Processing by Robert Weisz, PhD, and Daniel Blackwood is a comprehensive guide for working with emotions and unprocessed traumas.

This book explains the simple yet transformative protocols and techniques of Mindfulness-Based Somatic Emotional Processing (MBSEP). It describes how to work with specific emotional states such as anxiety, grief, and anger. Furthermore, it illustrates how to integrate MBSEP with other healing modalities.

The authors demonstrate concepts and practices in detail through dozens of case studies from their extensive therapy practice. Developed by Weisz, MBSEP combines mindfulness and somatic perception to help regulate emotions and address traumas stored in the body. The book includes practical, accessible, step-by-step exercises based on decades of work.

Humans experience emotions physically, and Weisz and Blackwood explore the difference between somatic, body-based emotions and the mental, cognitively-based stories told by the thinking mind. The authors introduce the concept of the "struggle factor" and explain why resisting negative emotions is futile. They also highlight the healing power of being mindfully present with emotional states, offering insights into the benefit of compassionate attention.

The methods described in the book foster neuroplasticity to create and expand neuronal linkages in the brain and nervous system. By encouraging acceptance, compassion, and the truth of our embodied emotions, the authors have developed a practical and flexible approach for processing and regulating emotions.

This resource is designed to be easily integrated with other healing modalities, making it valuable for both home practitioners and therapists.