Polyvagal Theory and Sensory Processing
By Sensory Integration Education, 11 August 2023
Hear directly from renowned scholar Dr Stephen Porges as he explains the relationship between Polyvagal Theory and sensory processing and sensory integration practice. This exclusive webinar for Sensory Integration Education includes bonus interviews with experienced Occupational Therapists and Advanced SI Practitioners discussing how Polyvagal Theory influences their clinical practice.
What is Polyvagal Theory?
Polyvagal Theory emphasises the role that the autonomic nervous system (ANS) - especially the vagus nerve - plays in regulating our health and behaviour. Created and developed by Dr Stephen Porges, the theory describes the physiological and psychological states that underlie our daily behaviour as well as challenges related to our wellness and mental health, including trauma. Polyvagal Theory helps us understand how safety, co-regulation, and connection are paramount to a healthy human experience.
The Polyvagal Institute states:
'According to the theory, our nervous system has three main response states, or "branches."
The first is the "fight or flight" response, which is activated when we're in a dangerous or threatening situation. Termed ‘mobilization’ in Polyvagal Theory, this is our body's way of preparing to either fight the threat or run away from it.
The second response state is the "collapse” response, which is activated when we feel overwhelmed or powerless. In this state, our body shuts down and we may feel numb or disconnected from our surroundings. In Polyvagal Theory, this is called ‘immobilization.’
The third response state is the "social engagement" response (termed ‘ventral vagal’ in the Theory), which is activated when we feel safe and connected to others. This is when we are relaxed and open to social interaction, and is communicated in our eyes, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
These three states are not entirely separate but rather a continuum through which we move on a daily basis. Although the three states are controlled by different parts of our nervous system, they are all directly managed by the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a large nerve that goes from the base of the brain to the gut, connecting the brain to the body. The vagus nerve plays a key role in regulating our heart rate, breathing, and digestion, as well as our emotional state.
Polyvagal Theory suggests that by understanding the fluctuation of these different response states, we can better manage our own health and wellness and better understand the behavior of others.’
Who is Stephen Porges?
Dr Stephen Porges, PhD is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. 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 has published more than 400 peer-reviewed papers across diverse disciplines. In 1994 he proposed the Polyvagal Theory, which has since paved the way for innovative treatments across various disorders.
Log in to Our Conversation With Dr Stephen Porges
If you're a health professional using a sensory-integration-informed approach and are eager to learn more about the intersection of Polyvagal Theory and sensory processing, mark your calendar for this on-demand webinar launching on 25 September 2023.
SIE is delighted to host this exclusive interview with Dr Stephen Porges. This session is complemented by an interview with Dr Natalie Hadiprodjo and a discussion between three Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioners working in different areas of clinical practice with children and adults. This webinar, only accessible for a limited time, includes:
An Exclusive Conversation with Dr Stephen Porges: Dr Porges brings his expertise to a candid interview, sharing his groundbreaking insights into the Polyvagal Theory, with Advanced SI Practitioner Leanne Duggan. This is an unmissable opportunity to increase your knowledge and understanding of Polyvagal Theory and learn more about how and why it is relevant to your work as a Sensory Integration Practitioner.
Bridging Play, Safety, and Sensory Integration: Dr Natalie Hadiprodjo, an esteemed Occupational Therapist, counsellor, play therapist, and lecturer in play therapy at Deakin University, talks to Advanced SI Practitioner Kim Elter. Natalie is one of the authors of Integrating Therapeutic Play Into Nursing and Allied Health Practice - a developmentally sensitive approach to communicating with children. Listen in as Natalie and Kim discuss how the principles of Polyvagal Theory complement using an attachment-based model in practice, supporting clinicians working in both hospital and community settings.
Real-World Insights from Practitioners: A panel of esteemed and highly experienced Advanced SI Practitioners - Karen Forest, Kim Elter, and Kate Broughton - provide firsthand accounts of Polyvagal Theory's impact on clinical interventions and client outcomes.
Gaining Deeper Understanding: The Takeaways
Join us for this webinar and gain a deeper understanding of:
- Polyvagal Theory: its core principles and implications for well-being
- The link between Polyvagal Theory and trauma and attachment
- How Polyvagal Theory relates to your clinical practice
- How knowledge of Polyvagal Theory can help you better understand and support your client group
Sign up today at this link:
