Polyvagal, dorsal vagal, ventral vagal, ventral brake, collapse, ventral vagal anchors – are these terms ‘gobbledegook’ to you? Even if you are familiar with these terms, what difference does it make to you, the therapist/counsellor and the person(s) sitting in your practice space? Well, it means a lot! By the end of this course, you will not only make sense of Polyvagal Theory (PVT) but be able to apply it to your practice. It is not intended to replace the models of therapy you practice, but to provide an underpinning provided by polyvagal science.
This training (based on the work of Stephen Porges and Deb Dana) offers a new conceptualization of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the three significant autonomic states. The workshop covers the relevant theory and function of the Polyvagal system and its relationship to co-regulation and connection, safety and danger. Once we have covered how the polyvagal system operates and influences our emotional states, the remainder of the training day focuses on practical application of the system with specific techniques to help clients safely tune back into their autonomic states and reconfigure their ANS. Learning polyvagal techniques is both cognitive and experiential and effective work with clients depends on our ability to be acquainted with our own autonomic patterns so that we can be a co-regulating support for out clients. You will have opportunities to experience your autonomic states, and learn how to help your clients connect with and resolve old autonomic patterns that keep them stuck.