TRE® (Tension & Trauma Release Exercises)

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TRE® is a gentle, body-based technique that helps release deep patterns of muscular tension, stress, and trauma. Developed by Dr. David Berceli, TRE® activates the body’s natural shaking or tremor reflex—supporting nervous system regulation, emotional healing, and long-term resilience.

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What Are the Benefits of TRE®?

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With regular practice, TRE® may support:

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• Reduced symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, depression and chronic stress

• Better sleep and increased energy

• Relief from chronic pain and muscle tension

• Greater emotional resilience and self-regulation

• Reduced workplace and relationship conflict

• Healing of trauma stored in the body

• Lessened symptoms of vicarious/secondary trauma

• Enhanced intimacy, connection, and emotional clarity

• A more grounded, compassionate relationship with yourself

• Support in managing chronic illness or long-held emotional patterns

TRE works with your body’s natural intelligence to support deep release and gentle restoration.

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Why Begin with Guided Sessions?

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Although TRE® can be a self-help method, it’s strongly recommended to begin with at least six sessions guided by a certified TRE® provider. This ensures your body has the support it needs to integrate the tremor process safely and effectively—particularly if you're working with trauma or nervous system dysregulation.

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A Non-Talking Alternative

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TRE® can be a powerful option for those who:

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• Don’t feel ready or willing to engage in traditional talking therapy

• Experience physical symptoms linked to stress or trauma

• Prefer a quiet, body-based way of healing that doesn't require verbal processing

 

Whether your symptoms are mild or more severe, TRE® offers a non-verbal path to healing that is accessible, empowering, and deeply regulating.

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TRE® Session Formats

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Sessions are available in:

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• 1:1 format (online or in person)

• Couples or family sessions

• Small groups (up to 10 people)

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Is TRE® Right for Me?

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TRE® may be especially helpful if you are:

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• Holding stress or tension in your body

• Experiencing anxiety, depression or trauma-related symptoms 

• Are emotionally overwhelmed, dysregulated, or quick to anger/react etc.

• Recovering from burnout, grief, or life changes

• Struggling in close relationships

• Struggling with alcohol, drug or process dependence

• Seeking a natural, body-based complement to therapy or holistic care for wellbeing

• Wanting to reconnect with your body in a safe and supported way

• An athlete or professional sports person wanting to improve speed, agility, performance or response times

 

Whether you’re new to somatic work or deepening your healing journey, TRE® can offer a simple, powerful way to return to balance.

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Explore Psychotherapy | Explore Naturopathy

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Supporting Research & Evidence

 

​Research examining TRE® spans trauma/ PTSD exposure, depression and anxiety, somatic symptom burden, caregiver stress, and neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis. While large-scale trials remain limited, the existing literature — including peer-reviewed studies, pilot trials, and hospital-based research — supports the relevance of TRE® as an intervention that works directly with nervous system regulation and embodied stress responses.

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Peer-reviewed literature 

 

Williams (2024)
Attachment theory, neurobiological and neurochemical processes, and trauma research, highlight how early relational experiences influence vulnerability to depression. Within this framework, body-based interventions that work directly with physiological regulation — including TRE® — are identified as clinically relevant approaches for supporting recovery from trauma-related and depressive states, alongside animal-assisted and nature-based psychotherapies.

Parker et al. (2024)
Investigated the effects of an eight-week TRE® programme with trauma-exposed East African refugees.
Findings: Participation in TRE® was associated with reductions in trauma symptom severity.

Lynning et al. (2021)
An exploratory pilot study examining TRE® with people living with multiple sclerosis.
Findings: Participants reported reductions in stress and improvements in sleep quality and subjective symptom burden, demonstrating feasibility within a neurological population.

Berceli et al. (2014)
A pilot study examining self-induced therapeutic tremors (the physiological basis of TRE®) among non-professional caregivers.
Findings: Improvements in quality of life were reported, suggesting benefits for stress and emotional wellbeing.

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Other studies and emerging research

In addition to indexed peer-reviewed studies, TRE® has been examined within hospital-based research projects and exploratory clinical studies, contributing to a growing applied evidence base.

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Ren et al. (2025)
A hospital-based controlled study examined outcomes associated with participation in a structured TRE® programme.
Findings: Improvements were reported across multiple psychological and somatic measures, including depression, clinician-rated anxiety, psychological distress, sleep difficulties, and somatic symptoms. This study is currently available as an institutional research report.

Skovgaard et al. (2025)
A randomized controlled trial explored TRE® as a complementary intervention for people living with multiple sclerosis.
Findings: Improvements were observed across symptom domains including fatigue, stress, pain, and aspects of quality of life.

Fiol et al. (2025)
An exploratory clinical study examined the safety and tolerability of TRE® in individuals with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis.
Findings: TRE® was reported to be safe and well tolerated, with improvements in quality-of-life measures and subjective wellbeing.

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References

Berceli, D., Salmon, M., Bonifas, R., & Ndefo, N. (2014).  Effects of self-induced unclassified therapeutic tremors on quality of life among non-professional caregivers: A pilot study. Global Advances in Health and Medicine, 3(5), 45–48.  https://doi.org/10.7453/gahmj.2014.032

 

Fiol, M. P., Marrodán, M., Benedicto, A., Henriquez, S., Ysrraelit, M. C., Martínez Canyazo, C. A., Burs, I., Oneto, C., Bataglia, F. M., Guerrini, J. M., Cavalli, K., Belaustegui, F., San Román, M., & Correale, J. (2025). Complementary approach for multiple sclerosis patients: Safety and efficacy of tension and trauma releasing exercises. Journal of Yoga and Physiotherapy, 12(4).
https://doi.org/10.19080/JYP.2025.12.555843

 

Lynning, M., Svane, C., Westergaard, K., Bergien, S. O., Gunnersen, S. R., & Skovgaard, L. (2021).  Tension and trauma releasing exercises for people with multiple sclerosis: An exploratory pilot study. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 11(5), 383–389.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2021.02.003

 

Parker, J., Shook, B., Washington, D., English, B., & Tatum, C. (2024).  The effect of tension and trauma releasing exercises (TRE®) on trauma symptoms in East African refugees. Psychology, 15, 77–91.  https://doi.org/10.4236/psych.2024.151006

 

Ren, X., et al. (2025). Efficacy of tension and trauma releasing exercises (TRE®) on psychological and somatic symptoms [Institutional research report]. Beijing Haidian Mental Health Hospital.

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Skovgaard, L., Trénel, P., Hanehøj, K., & Lynning, M. (2025).  Tension and trauma releasing exercises for people with multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial. Advances in Mind-Body Medicine, 39(1), 4–12.

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Williams, P. (2024).  Exploring an animalistic, trauma-informed framework to understand depression, and the need for effective, non-traditional psychotherapeutic interventions that attend to physiological processes. IntechOpen.
https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1003975

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Bookings & Enquiries

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To enquire or book a session, please email:

hello@philippawilliams.co.uk

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Learn more: traumaprevention.com/what-is-tre