By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Determine the principles of Polyvagal Theory and how to communicate them in client friendly language.
- Distinguish three circuits of the autonomic nervous system for use in client psychoeducation.
- Analyze how the autonomic nervous system operates as an internal surveillance system and its impact on clients’ habitual responses to trauma.
- Determine how to help clients engage the regulating capacities of the autonomic nervous system that create an environment of safety.
- Determine how tfeso exercise the Social Engagement System to assist clients in becoming more adept in skills of co-regulation and creating reciprocal relationships.
- Assess for patterns in clients’ autonomic states to better inform treatment planning.
- Support the trauma-informed therapist’s role as co-regulator and its impact on clinical outcomes.
- Distinguish portals of intervention in the autonomic nervous system to more effectively establish safety and treat trauma.
- Employ the right degree of neural challenge and exercises to employ with clients to help shape the autonomic nervous system toward safety and connection.
- Evaluate how to work with the cycle or reciprocity-rupture-repair in helping clients achieve the biological need for connection.
- Design a Polyvagal-guided clinical practice based on appropriate assessment and treatment planning.
- Categorize ethical issues, research limitations, and potential risks to be considered by a Polyvagal-guided therapist.


