I don't know if somatic experiencing is the same as somatic therapy, but it's what my T uses with me. SE is based on studies by Peter Levine, in his book, Waking the Tiger, which is about how wild animals respond to trauma. They unleash their stress by physically moving their bodies in certain ways. An application of that is when my T tells me to push my hands slowly on the couch in response to my agitation about something.

The most common question of an SE therapist is "where do you feel that in your body?" My T is very aware of my breathing patterns, my movements, my body language.

Holding hands was all right because it was for the specific purpose of calming my nervous system.

So, if SE and somatic therapy are the same, it's about how you experience feelings in your body. The mindfulness comes into play because the focus is on what's happening in your body right now.

Often we do regular talk therapy too but my T manages to throw in a little SE in every session.

I hope this is what you wanted to know!