Full Course Description

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 1: Foundations of Polyvagal Theory

This introductory module provides a comprehensive orientation to Polyvagal Theory (PVT), beginning with a review of its five core hypotheses and the relevant research that supports, and critiques this model. Participants will examine the anatomy of the vagus nerve, the multiple bodily systems it influences, and the role of autonomic pathways in shaping health, wellness, and resilience. We will explore how stress and unresolved trauma disrupt neurophysiological states, and how chronic dysregulation impacts bodily systems and psychological functioning. The concept of neuroplasticity will be introduced as a source of hope and healing, highlighting its importance for therapeutic change.

Program Information

Outline

An introduction to Polyvagal Theory
- Review of core hypotheses
- Relevant research & criticisms
  - Examine the advantages and disadvantages of this model in therapy
Orienting to the vagus nerve and its impact on health and wellness
- Anatomy of the vagus nerve
- Bodily systems that the vagus influences
- Meet your vagus nerve - experiential practice & reflection
- The vagus nerve and stress responses - why is this nerve so important when it comes to wellness & resilience?
The impact of toxic stress
- The impact of toxic stress on bodily systems
- Unresolved trauma and its influence on neurophysiological state - what happens when the system is chronically hijacked
- Neuroplasticity = the hope of healing; what it is, how it works, and why it matters in therapy
How to explain this to clients

Objectives

Define Polyvagal Theory and describe its relevance to trauma-informed clinical practice.
Identify the anatomical structure and physiological functions of the vagus nerve in relation to emotional regulation.
Examine criticisms and limitations of Polyvagal Theory.

Copyright : 04/28/2026

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 2: Vagal Tone, Stimulation, and the Preparation Hierarchy

This session introduces the concept of polyvagal-informed therapy and its role in supporting trauma treatment and recovery. Participants will examine vagal tone and heart rate variability (HRV) as markers of health, wellness, and resilience, and explore how vagal stimulation can enhance emotional regulation and stability. Through guided practice, participants will learn three simple but powerful techniques to apply in client sessions to support parasympathetic engagement. We end with an orientation to the Preparation Hierarchy, a framework for assessing client readiness for advanced interventions, highlighting how physiological state informs capacity for therapeutic growth and intervention.

Program Information

Outline

Review what “polyvagal informed therapy” means and how this model supports trauma treatment and recovery.
Dive into the concept of vagal tone and examine how vagal tone and vagal stimulation contribute to health, wellness, and resilience.
Dive into heart rate variability (HRV), review it’s usefulness as a biomarker of health, and why high HRV is associated with positive health outcomes and recovery from adversity.
Practice three simple vagal stimulation techniques to promote emotional regulation, stability, and overall wellness with clients:
- The Basic Exercise
- The Physiological Sigh
- Heart rate cohesion practice
Get oriented to the Preparation Hierarchy, a physiologically aligned framework for assessing client readiness for more advanced and integrative interventions. Learn the 4 domains of the hierarchy, their relationship to neurophysiological state, and markers of capacity for advanced interventions.

Objectives

Analyze the usefulness of Polyvagal Theory in therapeutic settings, along with associated risks and ethical considerations.
Define vagal tone and describe its relationship to health outcomes.
Examine how vagal stimulation promotes autonomic flexibility, resilience to stress, and improved health outcomes.

Copyright : 05/05/2026

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 3: The Autonomic Nervous System and the Preparation Hierarchy

Participants will deepen their understanding of the autonomic nervous system and its clinical applications by expanding on the Preparation Hierarchy introduced previously. We will explore the three autonomic pathways and their evolutionary progression, the “autonomic ladder” described in Polyvagal Theory, alongside critical perspectives of this model. Case vignettes and assessment tools, including the Body Perception Questionnaire and a shortened autonomic assessment measure, will be used to identify physiological markers of individual and blended pathways. Finally, we will examine how context, culture, neurodivergence, and common DSM diagnoses shape autonomic functioning and vagal regulation, preparing participants to apply these insights in trauma-informed clinical practice.

Program Information

Outline

Return to the Preparation Hierarchy introduced in the previous session and integrate it with an exploration of the autonomic nervous system.
Review the three autonomic pathways and their evolutionary progression as outlined in PVT. Learn how evolution created an “autonomic ladder” and how this applies to clinical work.
- Review criticisms to the “autonomic ladder”
Using case vignettes and assessment tools, learn the markers of each pathway, as well as the markers of blended pathways.
- Review the Body Perception Questionnaire
- Review a modified and shortened autonomic assessment tool
Examine the role of context and physiological state on autonomic functioning:
- Learn conditions that impact vagal functioning.
- Explore the role of the autonomic nervous system as related to common DSM diagnoses.
- Explore how culture and neurodivergence impact autonomic functioning.

Objectives

Analyze patterns of correlated symptoms associated with autonomic nervous system activation.
Evaluate and interpret the Body Perception Questionnaire as a tool for assessing autonomic functioning.
Examine the role of the vagus nerve in regulating multiple bodily systems and differentiate symptoms associated with vagal functioning.

Copyright : 05/12/2026

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 4: Autonomic Pathways in Action: Mapping, Dysregulation, and Intervention

In this session, theory is translated into practice through the use of the autonomic blueprint as a tool for mapping clients’ autonomic pathways. Participants will learn strategies for teaching these concepts to clients in clear and practical ways, as well as for helping them recognize moments of dysregulation. The module introduces Polyvagal-informed interventions that are simple to integrate into clinical practice, providing opportunities for experiential learning as participants create their own autonomic blueprint. We will also explore how autonomic state shapes thought distortions and inner narratives, alongside targeted interventions to address each automatic negative thoughts.

Program Information

Outline

The Autonomic Pathways in Therapy
- The Autonomic Blueprint
  - Learn to create an autonomic blueprint as a direct intervention with clients.
  - Teach clients to track their physiological state and mixed states, and to begin to cue coping strategies to reduce times of overwhelm and dysregulation.
  - Help clients map their blended pathways.
  - Support clients in gaining awareness and insight into the relationship between autonomic state and regulation.
- The stories we tell ourselves
  - Learn how autonomic state guides internal narratives and thought distortions.
  - Support clients learn to use their autonomic blueprint to shift their internal narrative.
- Review case vignettes and practical application strategies to translate theory into direct clinical practice.

Objectives

Identify and apply state-based autonomic regulation strategies (e.g., vagus-targeted interventions) that align with clients’ physiological states.
Implement psychoeducational strategies that help clients recognize and label physical and psychological traits associated with distinct autonomic states.
Develop skills to help clients monitor their physiological states and implement coping strategies tailored to patterns of autonomic activation.

Copyright : 05/19/2026

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 5: Neuroception, Interoception & Somatic Awareness

In this session, participants will explore the concept of neuroception, the nervous system’s unconscious process of scanning for cues of danger and safety, and learn how to support clients in tuning into and reshaping their neuroceptive responses. We will examine how trauma can “hijack” neuroception, shifting perceptions toward threat, and practice interventions that help restore balance, including scanning exercises, BASC, RESET, and anchoring techniques. The module also introduces interoception as a “sixth sense” that enhances regulation, teaching participants how to help clients develop awareness of internal signals and apply effective coping strategies. Through somatic vocabulary, guided imagery, and experiential practices such as riding sensation, surfing imagery, and “changing the volume,” participants will develop tools to support clients in working with autonomic activation and cultivating greater regulation and safety.

Program Information

Outline

Discover the definition of neuroception and cultivate your own neuroceptive capacity through guided experiential practice.
Examine the role neuroception plays in trauma responses, and how neuroception can become “hijacked” based on adverse experiences.
Learn to see “danger” and “safety” cues as a spectrum rather than absolutes, and support clients in identifying their unique cues.
Learn the intervention of scanning neuroception and the three environments that neuroception continuously assesses for threats:
- Scanning neuroception exercise
- Take neuroception shopping
- Use the BASC technique to calm emotion dysregulation
- Teach clients to use RESET to reduce and increase connection to the ventral pathway and cues of safety
- Anchoring as a technique to keep the client anchored in dual awareness and reduce dissociation.
Interoception
- Define interocception and learn how it’s a 6th sense everyone innately has.
- Learn techniques to help clients build interoceptive awareness and enhance the effectiveness of coping strategies
  - Somatic vocabulary
  - Riding sensation in the body
  - Surfing imagery exercise
Change the volume
- Teach clients to work with autonomic activation through the intervention “change the volume”. You’ll learn to create your own chart to change the volume on your inner world, and how to apply this intervention with clients.

Objectives

Define neuroception and illustrate its role in identifying safety and threat cues in various environments.
Define interoception and illustrate its relationship to cognitive and emotional states.
Apply neuroception and interoception skill-building techniques in clinical practice to support clients in recognizing and regulating autonomic states.

Copyright : 05/26/2026

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 6: The Social Engagement System and Embodiment in Therapy

This session examines the social engagement system as described in Polyvagal Theory, with a focus on the role of the vagus nerve and the five cranial nerves that shape our capacity for connection. Participants will explore how relationships can serve as profound sources of healing or harm, and how the social engagement system contributes to both healthy bonds and relational trauma. Emphasis will be placed on the therapeutic power of co-regulation, embodiment, and presence, highlighting why the therapist’s own nervous system is a primary clinical tool. Through self-assessment, reflection, and practical techniques, participants will learn strategies to support their own neurobiology, sustain effectiveness, and harness physiological cues of presence to promote safety and healing in the therapeutic relationship.

Program Information

Outline

The social engagement system
- Review the key features of the social engagement system
- Examine the five cranial nerves that influence humans’ capacity for connection
- Learn why relationships can be the best or worst thing for us, and the role the social engagement system plays in unhealthy and abusive relationships.
- Explore the role social engagement plays in healing:
  - The power of coregulation and why therapy is all about the relationship.
  - Take the therapist self-assessment tool and examine your capacity for coregulationa and embodiment.
  - Learn to identify and harness physiological cues of presence.
Embodiment
- Dive into the importance of embodiment as a trauma therapist and why your nervous system is your greatest clinical tool.
- Examine techniques to care for and protect your neurobiology so as to remain an effective and objective practitioner.

Objectives

Identify the core features of the social engagement system and analyze how its five cranial nerves support human connection and communication.
Evaluate the role of the social engagement system in shaping relational dynamics, including both healthy attachment and patterns of abuse.
Explain the importance of embodiment for trauma therapists and assess how their own nervous system functions as a clinical tool.

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 7: Interventions for Vagal Flexibility and Regulation

In this session, participants will learn concrete, evidence-informed interventions to strengthen vagal tone, engage the vagal brake, and build autonomic flexibility. We will review the concepts of vagal tone, vagal stimulation, and their relationship to the Preparation Hierarchye. Participants will be introduced to a vagal tone assessment tool and explore a range of practical techniques, including lifestyle foundations such as sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement; breathwork practices; somatic-focused strategies; and guided imagery to stimulate and tone the vagus. Emphasis will be placed on experiential learning, reflection, and clinical application to help participants effectively integrate these practices into trauma therapy and wellness work.

Program Information

Outline

Review the concepts of vagal tone & stimulation, and examine the concept of the vagal brake as outlined by Porges and Dana.
- Learn a visual exercise to support clients in exercising the vagal brake.
- Examine the role of vagal tone in relation to the preparation hierarchy.
- Learn to use the vagal tone assessment quiz with clients
Toning the vagus nerve:
- Learn a myriad of direct application practices to support clients build vagal tone:
  - The Basics: the role sleep, nutrition, hydration and movement play in neurophysiological health
  - Several breathwork techniques to promote parasympathetic engagement
  - Somatic-focused interventions
  - Guided imagery to build a ventral anchor

Objectives

Evaluate the clinical use of non-invasive vagal stimulation techniques to regulate autonomic state and reduce symptoms of stress-related disorders.
Apply breathwork strategies to enhance parasympathetic activation and evaluate changes in heart rate variability (HRV).
Examine the influence that lifestyle factors (sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement) have on vagal tone and autonomic flexibility.

Polyvagal Therapist Core Skills Session 8: Integration and Closure: Internal Family Systems (IFS) Parts, States, & Safety

In this final session, participants will bring together the core concepts of Internal Family Systems and Polyvagal Theory, integrating skills to support client healing and resilience. We will explore how to conceptualize parts through the autonomic blueprint, linking neurobiological states with inner narratives and protective strategies. Participants will practice direct interventions designed to resource parts and enhance regulation, including mapping autonomic states, meeting inner critics, cultivating a wise and future self, and creating an inner sanctuary. The module emphasizes strategies for soothing overwhelm, fostering safety, and promoting integration across parts and autonomic states, concluding with space for reflection, synthesis, and closure of the training.

Program Information

Outline

Learn to conceptualize parts with the autonomic blueprint.
- What are parts in terms of neurobiology?
- How can we understand our parts more effectively with PVT?
- Connect inner narratives, autonomic state, and parts through a cohesive framework.
- Learn direct interventions to work with parts and enhance coping strategies:
  - Map the autonomic state of parts
  - Meet the inner critics
  - Develop a wise self
  - Meet a future self
  - Create an inner sanctuary
Wrap up and goodbye - group reflection and final takeaways

Objectives

Define and analyze clients’ parts through the lens of the autonomic blueprint, integrating Internal Family Systems with Polyvagal Theory to create a cohesive neurobiological framework for understanding protective strategies.
Identify and map the autonomic states of internal parts, linking inner narratives to physiological activation patterns, and evaluate how state-dependent responses shape protective roles such as inner critics.
Apply and evaluate Polyvagal-informed interventions (e.g., resourcing, guided imagery, self-compassion practices) that support parts in regulation, enhance coping strategies, and promote integration into a cohesive sense of self.