When I first came to SEI, I had never heard of Somatic Experiencing® and had no idea what I was getting myself into (said with a wink and a smile). I was looking to leave my job in the ski industry and was ready for a “grown-up job.” A former colleague, who was working at SEI at the time, thought I would be a good fit—and the next thing I know, I’ve been with SEI just shy of 12 years. Indeed, I often feel I have grown up at—or along with—SEI.
Although I am currently the longest-serving employee on the administrative staff, the founding roots of our organization belong, of course, to Dr. Peter Levine, but also, just as importantly, to our faculty. Many of our faculty members have been here since the very beginning, when we were a small grassroots organization, and have worn countless hats in addition to their teaching roles. Faculty helped to create curricula, market and schedule trainings, hire the training team, and manage the books—to name just a few responsibilities. Above all, faculty have given their time, energy, and experience to ensure our students receive the best possible education. Their dedication to our mission and to the community we’ve built together fills my heart with deep admiration and appreciation.
SEI has come a long way since the beginnings of Dr. Levine’s trainings in his Berkeley “tree house.” And while faculty are now free from the administrative burdens of running the day-to-day business of SEI, their desire to ensure SEI remains a tool available throughout the world burns fiercely. I want to take this moment to honor and thank our faculty—not just for teaching this incredible work, but for creating the foundation on which this organization continues to grow and thrive.
Each month, as part of my role, I review evaluations that students have submitted about our trainings. Without fail, I see praise for the faculty. No matter which faculty member is being evaluated, I see comments that this faculty is “the best.” Students are grateful for the dedication, passion, expertise, humor, and humility that our faculty bring into the classroom. These evaluations reflect more than just teaching ability—they are a testament to the deep connection our faculty build with their students and assisting teams. Faculty and their teams create an environment where learning is not just an exchange of knowledge, but also a transformative experience. While the evaluations I review reflect feedback from our U.S.-based trainings, I have no doubt that the same gratitude and praise extend to our international faculty as well. So, to all our SE™ faculty around the world—thank you for being the best!
To our cherished faculty: whether you’ve been here since the early days or are newer to our SEI family, your contributions are invaluable, and I am grateful for each and every one of you.
With that said, it is my great honor to introduce the newest members of Somatic Experiencing® International faculty.
This year marks an important time in the growth of our community and SE™ global faculty. Within the past year, all four faculty accreditation councils around the SE™ world have approved new faculty. We have new faculty members in Brazil, Switzerland, New Zealand, and the United States. And once approved by any council, faculty may teach anywhere in the world.
New faculty around the world continue to uphold and expand the reach of this work.
Always warm regards,
Sonja Cole
Managing Director of Programs