What is TRE?
TRE® (Tension & Trauma Release Exercise) is an innovative method that assists the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. Created by Dr. David Berceli, PhD, TRE® safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension and calms the nervous system. By activating this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism in a safe and controlled environment, the body and nervous system are encouraged to return to a state of balance and equilibrium.
TRE® is based on the fundamental idea, backed by recent research, that stress, tension and trauma are both psychological and physical. TRE®’s reflexive muscle vibrations generally feel pleasant and soothing. After doing TRE®, people often report feelings of peace and well-being.
Trauma
TRE® is very effective for treating the symptoms of trauma and PTSD. Trauma is broadly defined and can include such “innocent” and commonplace traumas as falling off a ladder or slipping on the ice, divorce, or the loss of a loved one. It can also include the shock and trauma from more serious events such as car accidents, natural disasters, war, medical emergencies, sexual trauma or violence. TRE® is also effective with longer term developmental trauma including birth trauma, child abuse, and neglect.
Stress
Stress effects the body and nervous system in many ways, showing up as muscular tension, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, or depression. TRE® helps combat the accumulation of stress in the body by accessing the body’s innate neurogenic tremor mechanism to shake off tension. People suffering from overwork, anxiety, or those who are simply in a stressful work environment (social workers, nurses, physicians, EMTs) benefit tremendously from incorporating TRE® as a self-care tool into their lives.
Wellness
The relaxation and balance achieved with TRE® is an excellent complement to a variety of wellness practices. Practitioners of yoga and pilates see tremendous benefit to relaxing muscles more completely. TRE® is also a very effective component of meditation practice as it relaxes and stills both the body and mind and helps cultivate greater body awareness. Strength athletes, runners, and athletes of all kinds can benefit from the restorative nature of TRE® as an extremely effective recovery tool between workouts.
“I developed TRE as a means to empower people to use their own body’s nervous system for healing and growth. Alex offers a truly unique therapeutic experience for his TRE clients because his background as a structural integration bodyworker along with his in-depth training in TRE and other trauma-sensitive work allowing him to support healing in a very comprehensive and embodied way. Alex’s facilitation of TRE for individuals and groups is consistently sensitive, skilled, and supportive of each person’s innate capacity for healing and growth. I highly recommend Alex’s work.”

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“TRE is a powerful and effective therapeutic tool. It utilizes the mind-body connection to release and integrate physical tension, difficult life events and stuck emotional patterns in the body and nervous system. Healing occurs on many different levels as all systems are brought back into natural balance. This work is highly complementary with other therapeutic methods, including psychotherapy. I highly recommend Alex as a skilled, sensitive, and knowledgeable facilitator of this work.”
Dr. Shilagh Mirgain, Ph.D.
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“In combination with body work, Alex coached me in the use of TRE, which I use as a regular practice at home. I find that TRE helps me release tension and feel more grounded in my body. A short TRE practice feels like a way to “reset” my nervous system so that I can be more present in my life. I regularly refer clients and friends to Alex to learn TRE — it’s a powerful skill for self-care that can help heal both trauma and run-of-the mill, daily stress.”
Heather Sorensen
Licensed Clinical Social Worker -
“Alex’s knowledge of the body and his ability to apply that knowledge is exceptional! His body work has helped to change my alignment and to alleviate my low back pain. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in body transformation.”
Susan Davidson, MD
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“My bodywork and TRE experience with Alex has always been outstanding! Individually and in groups, Alex facilitates guided body exercises that are therapeutic and healing in an atmosphere of safety and respect. In addition to this, he is an excellent teacher who draws upon his rich background and training in Zen meditation and martial arts.”
The Rev. Jeffrey G. Billerbeck
ACPE Supervisor Department of Spiritual Care Manager, UnityPoint Health - Meriter -
“Don’t let the word “Trauma” throw you off. Maybe you don’t think you’ve experienced “trauma”…but I assure you that daily corporate life is an assault on the senses with its whirl and clank of meetings, deadlines, and personalities! I have used TRE several times under Alex’s guidance and many times on my own at home or on the road, and there are two excellent benefits. First, TRE helps me get centered and grounded, so that I can work from a more peaceful and less frazzled place. Second, the benefits accrue over time.”
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“Alex is doing masterful work with TRE. Not only does he run an engaging class, but also has a keen intuition in working with each person so that whatever is ready to open, does open. I came away from my last TRE session with Alex feeling totally refreshed, 10 years younger, and light as a feather.”
Dr. Ginny Whitelaw, Ph.D.
President, Institute for Zen Leadership, Focus Leadership -
“As a retired psychologist who worked for decades with trauma survivors, I am very impressed with Alex’s understanding of the impact of trauma on the body and psyche and the needs of individuals who have experienced trauma–as well as his informed, intuitive, and skilled response in teaching TRE to clients. TRE is both powerful and empowering as a strategy to facilitate the release of pent-up emotional and somatic pain. In addition, Alex is very patient in facilitating a client’s internal capacity for release and recovery and provides both a safe, caring, and appropriately boundaried relationship and a calming space for healing to occur. As both a bodyworker and TRE practitioner, Alex is extremely knowledgeable, skilled, creative, and compassionate. He is tremendously curious intellectually, constantly seeking training and certification in state of the art approaches and interventions, and he integrates them seamlessly into his broad and deep practice. I have personally experienced many of the modalities Alex has trained it, and have been very impressed with a reduction and elimination of pain, increased kinesthetic awareness and sense of grounding, as well as a more general sense of calm, relaxation, and well-being for some time following a session with Alex. I have highly recommended Alex to friends, colleagues, and clients and will continue to do so!”
Dr. Erica Serlin, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist, Trauma Specialist -
“I have had extensive bodywork over the years and I find TRE to be revolutionary. It is the best way that I have found to release tension, particularly in the abdominal core. It is gentle, you can go at you own pace, and, best of all, you can practice it on your own. TRE is a wonderful addition to Alex’s therapeutic repertoire. I recommend it most highly.”
Dr. Kenneth Kushner, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist, UW Family Medicine Faculty -
“The longer I work therapeutically with clients, the more I realize the value of and need for a holistic approach to healing. The TRE work that Alex offers supports my work in that it helps my clients organically experience their own patterns and unwinding. Additionally, the ‘down-shifting’ in the nervous system cultivates an internal environment ready for long-term opening and release. Alex skillfully facilitates each session, holding space in such a way that the client feels safe and supported throughout. The benefits of this work extend far beyond the session.”
Ellen McKenzie, RYT 500
Yoga Director - The Yoga Sangha, Madison WI