Wild Willow TRE
The body knows the way home.
Tension & Trauma Release Exercises — a lifelong practice in Portland, Oregon.
What is TRE?
Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) is a body based approach to help people release muscular tension that is caused by everyday tensions, stress, or traumatic life experiences. TRE evolved out of a growing body of research that connects the impact of stress and trauma on the mind and the body. Using a series of simple and easy to learn exercises, TRE releases tension in the muscles, resetting the nervous system and the brain.
Meet Allyson
Allyson is a Certified TRE Provider in West Linn, Oregon. She has integrated TRE into her life for more than 21 years. Allyson is passionate about helping others connect and heal their bodies. She offers a warm, inclusive, and supportive space for people to explore Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) at their own pace. Allyson’s years working in the nonprofit sector with Refugees and displaced families deepened her commitment to supporting others. She considers being a TRE provider an opportunity to help others feel grounded, centered and at ease in their bodies. She values collaborating with therapists, bodywork and somatic practitioners to support each person’s individual needs. Allyson is continually seeking ways to serve her community through local non-profits and organizations. As a TRE provider she has compassion, curiosity, and a deep respect for each person’s unique experience in their TRE practice.
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Wild Willow TRE — Portland, Oregon
Where TRE comes from — and what a session looks like
TRE was developed by Dr. David Berceli, PhD, a Clinical Social Worker, Somatic and Body Work Therapist and a Field Trauma Therapist. For over 20 years, Dr. Berceli worked with traumatized communities in war torn countries. Dr. Berceli observed when adults experienced tension or threat, they would assume a fetal position to protect themselves as part of the fight or flight response. He also noted that young children would tremor during the same threat. It was through these observations that Dr. Berceli developed TRE, a set of exercises designed to stretch and activate the muscles with the purpose of activating the tremor mechanism in a safe, controlled environment.
A session usually begins with gentle exercises, then you lie down and allow the body’s natural tremors to move at their own pace. You stay in control throughout — you can slow down or stop at any time — and the session closes with rest and time to integrate.
Sessions are often about an hour, offered individually or in groups, and learned over several sessions — after which you can practice on your own. You do not need to talk about or relive past events to practice TRE.
Why TRE?
The power of TRE lies in its ability to help people tap into the body’s built in response to relieve tension and trauma when the stressor is over. TRE has immediate benefits and is simple to incorporate into your wellness routine. You can also practice one-on-one with a provider or in groups. TRE is used by many as a daily practice of self-care with lifelong benefits. It complements traditional mental health and physical healing modalities. Due to the popularity of TRE, it is practiced by millions of people in over 40 countries throughout the world, helping to navigate and reduce tension, stress and trauma.