PVT Application Course
Polyvagal Theory Comes to Life in Our Schools and Classrooms
Course by Rebecca Bailey, Ph.D. & Deb Dana, LCSW
Course Format
Online
Course Accessibility
On-Demand
Course Length
5 hours
About Course
Addictions and other trauma responses are increasing day by day as people cry out for help. We desperately need a fresh approach that treats the trauma of addiction where it lives; in the body. The fields of trauma and addiction have developed separately, yet when we treat one we are very often working with the other. And the state of addiction is traumatic in and of itself. So, how do we work with both? In this workshop, we will explore the intersection of trauma and addiction and how to address both with an embodied approach.
The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model shifts the current pathologizing paradigm to a strength-based approach. Through the lens of Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, addiction is seen as an adaptive stress response in our autonomic nervous system. Addictive behaviors are the bodies’ attempt to emotionally regulate by acting as propellers that facilitate neurophysiological shifts in our nervous system. The model integrates Porges’ Polyvagal theory, and Gendlin’s Felt Sense Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy process, enabling us to appreciate trauma/addictive behaviors as adaptive responses to maladaptive environments. It provides a generic framework that can support any therapeutic modality.
The Felt Sense Polyvagal Dialogue is a tool that integrates Imago therapy with the model. This provides a methodology for working with couples and families that engages them in an embodied approach. The webinar series includes a description of the theoretical framework and an introduction to The Embodied Assessment and Treatment Tool. This tool reflects the experiential nature of body-based psychotherapy. A mixture of didactic information, experiential practices, three demonstrations, and case examples will guide the clinician on how to apply the model. This course will be informative for those new to the field of trauma/addiction as well as seasoned practitioners.
The course combines on-demand lectures by Jan Winhall with recorded conversations between Jan and Steven Porges which further detail polyvagal principles presented in the coursework. Also included is a live 90-min Q&A session with Jan held at 12:00 pm Eastern, Dec 10, 2021.
Key Points
Gain an immersive understanding of the practices and skills needed to succeed in an entry-level project management role
Learn the foundations of Agile project management, with a focus on implementing Scrum events, building Scrum artifacts, and understanding Scrum roles
Learn how to create effective project documentation and artifacts throughout the various phases of a project
Practice strategic communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management through real-world scenarios
Instructors
Stephen Porges, Ph.D.
Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award. He is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences. He is also the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™, which is used by therapists to improve language processing, state regulation, and spontaneous social engagement.
