How is Polyvagal Theory Used in Therapy?
In therapy, Polyvagal Theory provides a new lens through which to understand emotional dysregulation, trauma responses, and the importance of safety in healing. Here's how Polyvagal Theory is applied in practice:
1. Recognizing States of the Nervous System
Therapists trained in Polyvagal Theory help clients recognize the physical and emotional cues that correspond to different states of the autonomic nervous system. By teaching clients how to identify when they are in a state of “fight or flight” or “freeze,” therapists can begin to help clients understand their nervous system’s response to stress or trauma. This awareness is the first step toward emotional regulation.
For example, a person who experiences panic attacks may not be aware that their body is in a sympathetic state (fight or flight) and that the increased heart rate and shallow breathing are signs that their nervous system is on high alert. By bringing awareness to this physiological response, a therapist can help the client understand that these sensations are temporary and can be managed with calming techniques.
2. Creating Safety and Connection
The central premise of Polyvagal Theory is that healing can only occur when the nervous system feels safe. In therapy, a therapist’s role is to create a safe, supportive environment where the client can feel secure enough to explore their emotions and memories. By using a compassionate and attuned approach, therapists can help activate the social engagement system, allowing clients to connect with their feelings, their therapist, and, ultimately, with others in their lives.
Therapists might use specific techniques to promote safety, such as grounding exercises, deep breathing, and mindfulness practices that encourage the client to feel present and connected to their body. This can help shift the nervous system out of a defensive state (fight, flight, or freeze) and back into a state of calm where healing can begin.
3. Using the Body to Regulate Emotions
Polyvagal Theory also emphasizes the importance of the body in emotional regulation. Since the vagus nerve connects to the heart and lungs, therapies that focus on the breath or physical sensations can be incredibly effective in shifting the nervous system. Techniques like deep diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and body scans help clients tune into their physical sensations and bring themselves back into a regulated state.
For example, when a client is in a heightened state of anxiety (sympathetic nervous system activation), a therapist might guide them through slow, deep breathing to activate the ventral vagal system and promote relaxation. This simple practice can help shift the client’s physiological state, allowing them to feel more grounded and calm.
4. Healing Trauma Through Polyvagal Theory
Polyvagal Theory has been especially influential in the treatment of trauma. Trauma survivors often experience dysregulation in their autonomic nervous systems, where their bodies are stuck in a prolonged fight, flight, or freeze response. This can lead to a range of symptoms, from chronic anxiety and hypervigilance to dissociation and emotional numbness.
By using Polyvagal Theory, therapists can guide clients to release the freeze response and gradually restore a sense of safety and connection. This process is often slow and gradual, as it involves working with the body’s natural rhythms and helping clients develop a new sense of trust in their nervous system. Through tools like somatic experiencing, trauma-informed breathing techniques, and mindfulness practices, clients can re-regulate their autonomic responses and begin to heal from the trauma that has been stored in their body.
5. Building Resilience and Flexibility
Polyvagal Theory is not just about healing past trauma—it's also about building resilience and flexibility in the face of future stressors. By understanding how the nervous system works, clients can learn to recognize when they are moving out of a regulated state and take proactive steps to return to balance. This might involve using coping skills, seeking social support, or engaging in self-soothing practices that bring them back into a state of calm.
With the help of therapy, individuals can become more resilient by learning to navigate the shifts in their nervous system and adapt more flexibly to life's challenges.
