What’s the difference between Chi for Two and Somatic Experiencing?

Somatic Experiencing was created by long-time trauma expert Peter Levine. Chi for Two originator Dee Wagner has studied the work of Peter Levine since the publication of Levine’s first book Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma in 1997.

In 2013, Wagner began her study of polyvagal theory by reading Stephen Porges’ book The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication and Self-regulation. Wagner was amazed at how much polyvagal theory aligned with Levine’s understanding of trauma. Wagner was delighted to discover during an online workshop hosted by Maggie Phillips, that Levine and Porges had been friends for many years. No wonder their understanding aligned so beautifully.

Wagner loved reading Levine’s other books Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in a Search for the Living Past and In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. “Levine walks his talk,” Wagner says, “Listening to Levine, you feel the personal work he has done to live what he teaches.”

Levine’s ideas of “titration” and “pendulation” are built into Chi for Two. Over the years, Levine created the trauma healing method Somatic Experiencing. As Wagner has presented on Chi for Two, participants have recognized the deep connection between Somatic Experiencing and Chi for Two because Wagner has been so connected to Levine’s work throughout all the years that led to the creation of Chi for Two.

The major difference between Chi for Two and Somatic Experiencing is that Chi for Two embodiment coaches do not use the concept of the Window of Tolerance. The concept of the Window of Tolerance was created by Dan Siegel and is utilized by Levine and many others. As a dance/movement therapist and somatic educator, Wagner noticed that the drawing that accompanies the concept creates movement-shaming in some clients. Chi for Two coaches use Wagner’s “Map” of nervous system functioning (a tool in Miller and Beeson’s The Neuroeducation Toolbox) and Wagner’s Circles of Support drawing. Chi for Two embodiment coaches see all movement as tolerable within the Circles of Support. Read more about Circles of Support in Why Chi for Two Now?.