The Neurophysiology of Trauma, Attachment, Self-Regulation & Emotions

Objectives

Articulate the foundation of Polyvagal Theory as it relates to clinical treatment.
Communicate how the Polyvagal Theory may demystify several features related to psychiatric disorders and behavioral problems in clients.
Evaluate how deficits in the regulation of the “Social Engagement System” are expressed as core features of several psychiatric disorders as it relates to case conceptualization.
Reconstruct how the neural process, neuroception, evaluates risk in the environment and triggers adaptive neural circuits, which promote either social interactions or defensive behaviors in clients.
Characterize how therapeutic presence is based on the interaction between the “Social Engagement Systems” of client and therapist.
Analyze the efficacy the “Social Engagement System” in optimizing therapeutic outcome in clients.
Breakdown the features of the “Social Engagement System” as it relates to clinical practice.

Outline

The Polyvagal Theory

The principles and features of the Polyvagal Theory and how to apply it in a clinical setting
How the Polyvagal Theory can demystify several features related to stress-related illnesses and psychiatric disorders such as PTSD, autism, depression, and anxiety
How the Social Engagement System is compromised by stress and trauma and how to reset it
Evolutionary changes and adaptive functions in the autonomic nervous system
Humans response hierarchy to challenges
Three neural platforms that provide the neurophysiological bases for social engagement, fight/flight, and shutdown behaviors

Social Engagement System and Psychiatric and Behavioral Disorders

A description of the “face-heart” connection that forms a functional social engagement system
How our facial expressions, vocalizations, and gestures are regulated by neural mechanisms that are involved in regulating our autonomic nervous system

Neuroception: Detecting and Evaluating Risk

How our social and physical environment triggers changes in physiological state
Understanding that adaptive physiological reactions may result in maladaptive behaviors
Immobilization without fear
Play as a neural exercise
Listening as a neural exercise

Demystifying Biobehavioral Responses to Trauma and Abuse

Fight/flight and immobilization defense strategies
Adaptive function of immobilization and the associated clinical difficulties
How the stresses and challenges of life distort social awareness and displace spontaneous social engagement behaviors with defensive reactions

Applying the Polyvagal Theory in Clinical Settings

Objectives

Ascertain the clinical implications of the polyvagal theory in terms of hierarchy: ventral vagal response; sympathetic response and dorsal vagal.

Outline

Polyvagal Theory