Description
The polyvagal theory presented in client-friendly language.
This book offers therapists an integrated approach to adding a polyvagal foundation to their work with clients. With clear explanations of the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory, this complex theory is translated into clinician and client-friendly language. Using a unique autonomic mapping process along with worksheets designed to effectively track autonomic response patterns, this book presents practical ways to work with clients’ experiences of connection. Through exercises that have been specifically created to engage the regulating capacities of the ventral vagal system, therapists are given tools to help clients reshape their autonomic nervous systems.
Adding a polyvagal perspective to clinical practice draws the autonomic nervous system directly into the work of therapy, helping clients re-pattern their nervous systems, build capacities for regulation, and create autonomic pathways of safety and connection. With chapters that build confidence in understanding Polyvagal Theory, chapters that introduce worksheets for mapping, tracking, and practices for re-patterning, as well as a series of autonomic meditations, this book offers therapists a guide to practicing polyvagal-informed therapy.
The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy is essential reading for therapists who work with trauma and those who seek an easy and accessible way of understanding the significance that Polyvagal Theory has to clinical work.
Albert Potash (verified owner) –
Amazing content for clinicians, not for lay persons
Kim Gould (verified owner) –
Polyvagal theory clearly has incredible importance in many fields beyond psychotherapy. Porges himself talks about the changes that could be made in hospitals, public spaces, government, to ensure people feel safe and are not triggered into defensiveness. Imagine the creativity that would bloom from the human race if this theory was understood by a wider audience, and its implications acted upon.
This book is a great start for those seeking to understand and apply the polyvagal, but it is not an easy read. It could do with more editing, perhaps more time spent in considering how to lay the material out. It seems to me that the ideas are fairly simple, but that the theory itself is so dense with possibility, so deeply rooted into so many aspects of our human bodies, personalities and experience, that we can easily get sucked down into unnecessary complication. Deb Dana has made a great start in distilling a complex subject into usable processes.
I would recommend you read this book in conjunction with Porge’s own Pocket Guide to Polyvagal.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how to apply the polyvagal theory in their work, or in their own lives. I look forward to it’s implications being more broadly understood and Deb Dana is a step along that path.
Jonathan Hopps (verified owner) –
Deb Dana is a consummate educator and compassionate therapist and her new book is a reflection of her gifts. In the book, Deb takes Stephen Porges’ important research and transforms it into an easy to use clinical tool to help clients learn about their autonomic nervous system and how to develop skills to re-regulate it. I use much of the wisdom in the book and clients respond positively knowing there are precognitive events happening within them and it gives them hope change is possible.
B. Johnston (verified owner) –
I found the explanation of the three different states extremely helpful, and am enjoying working through the exercises in this book.
Alison (verified owner) –
Outstanding book! A must-have for all therapists. Deb Dana is a gift to the field. She has taken Steve Porges’ amazing and important work on PVT and developed “The Rhythm of Regulation”. As a therapist, this has become a foundational lens for my approach with my clients. Deb explains and expands upon PVT in accessible ways and how to apply it to our lives. She teaches, in a compassionate way, how our autonomic nervous systems work on our behalf for survival and how our internal states determine our perception. Most importantly, she offers ways to learn how to repair and “self-regulate”, which means feel better and improve relationships. The book offers a great combination of research, excellent explanations and generous, helpful exercises and handouts that she uses in her professional trainings.
Karen S (verified owner) –
I’ve studied polyvagal theory with Steven Porges, but have always been left wondering how to use it in clinical applications. Here is that book!
Michelle Bolen (verified owner) –
Deb Dana has a wonderful way of taking a complex theory and putting it into a practical and usable format. Stephen Purges’ Polyvagal Therory describes how the autonomic nervous system functions. Deb Dana describes how to change autonomic patterns. By using the exercises in the book, clients can begin to broaden their experiences of emotional regulation and reduce habitual responses. The exercises take a person from a place of noticing their autonomic states, to being able to change their autonomic states. Deb does a wonderful job of explaining how to add personal and interpersonal resources so as to build resilience. The book is a nice mix of research, clinical tools, and case examples. I would highly recommend the book.
John T., Campbell (verified owner) –
A very adept application of polyvagal theory to interventions in therapy; an excellent compliment to my work as a therapist.
Payam Ghassemlou (verified owner) –
This Polyvagal Theory in Therapy has expanded my view of the subject. It so hopeful to know that we can reshape the nervous system by kindness and connection with others.
Adam Lencioni (verified owner) –
Fantastic book for therapists like myself, gives a great education of the theory and provides useful exercises to use immediately with clients
Jennifer Joy Greaves, LCSW, LADC, CCS (verified owner) –
DITTO to Deb Dana’s clear clinical gifts and to the value of this essential book for applying Polyvagal Theory to one’s clinical work. Her compassionate approach is evident, and I so appreciate the user friendly exercises. My clients and I will continue to benefit from this important book.
Tricia (verified owner) –
I use some of the exercises with all of my clients, they are really benefitting from the knowledge they gain about their biology.
DEW (verified owner) –
I have to admit that when a friend told me that I needed to read the book, The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy, as a teacher I was hesitant to say the least. The title seemed far outside my wheelhouse as a teacher.
40 book flags later (I just can’t write in a book), I am forever changed by the positive, clear, practical approach Deb shares with her readers about how to engage “the rhythm of regulation.”
This information should be a must for anyone working in schools with children. Deb Dana provides her readers with frameworks to personalize the information for one’s own growth. Regulation starts with ourselves. Only when we are regulated can we be there to co-regulate with our students. To translate this complex information into a practical and interesting read is a feat in and of itself. It’s a keeper on my bookshelf for sure.
Anthony Fayese (verified owner) –
Excellent read. Great reference material.
SaulK (verified owner) –
I loved this book. It’s a great perspective on the actions of the autonomic nervous system and what the system’s various components do in and for a person. The idea and experience of co-regulation of nervous systems between and among individuals is invaluable. Body centered but the mind is embedded in the body. Learning to regulate ones own system is the essence of therapy and this book really helps.
Lili (verified owner) –
I appreciated how the authors wrote it in a very understandable and compelling manner. The book impressed me so much that I purchased its companion.
ALH (verified owner) –
JANUARY, 2019: KUDOS FOR POLYVAGAL BOOK!
I attended a day-long presentation and have read the book on Polyvagal Theory in Therapy by Deb Dana. She presents the Polyvagal theory with clarity and offered worksheets to use with clients. Using the Polyvagal framework for understanding clients’ experiences outside as well as inside therapy has been invaluable for my clients as well as for our work in some of the following ways:
— Making sense of their own struggles in ways that they have found illuminating and helpful;
— Tracking our respective and joint dynamics and shifting states of being;
— Facilitating curiosity and interest in our therapeutic work;
— Experiencing glimmers of hope for recovery, healing or growth;
— Decreasing shame of their actions and reactions; and, last but not least,
— Developing compassion for themselves, and trust in their organic capacity for movement and change.
My clients have responded to this incorporation of Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal theory and Deb Dana’s clinical applications of it with surprise and deep appreciation. The work lands and they have asked for me to continue using her work. So, I highly recommend this book, and, when you can, attend one of her trainings (Disclosure: I only know Deb Dana from her book and the presentations I attended).
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MAY, 2019: ADDENDUM TO MY REVIEW 5 MONTHS AGO:
I’ve been able to use Deb Dana’s polyvagal handouts as an effective way to track changes across time for many of my clients. I use her polyvagal profile form to assess each of my client’s general state of well-being. That is, using percentages, I asked my clients how many percent of their waking life they are in a state-of-being that feels: (1) SAFE &/OR CONNECTED (it means they are in the ventral vagal state); UNSAFE, necessitating hyper-vigilance to mobilize a needed fight-or-flight survival response (sympathetic nervous system state); and UNDULY THREATENED, TRAPPED OR STUCK, necessitating a collapse or immobilized survival response (dorsal vagal state).
After some months of incorporating polyvagal work into my therapy practice, I ask them to again report their sense of how much time, for the past few months, they have been in each state. Then we compare their previous report to the current one. Many of my clients and I are delighted to discover significant positive improvement in their general sense of wellbeing. Their reports basically show a big shift in polyvagal states:
PRE-POLYVAGAL WORK:
– 70-90% of the time easily triggered into and staying in sympathetic and dorsal states; and,
– 30-10% in ventral vagal
POST-POLYVAGAL & OTHER MIND-BODY WORK:
– 10-40% in the triggered states of sympathetic and dorsal; and
– 90-60% in ventral vagal state of feeling safe and connected
These reported changes showed up in the following ways:
– More sustained (weeks to months) embodied sense of wellbeing
– General ability to recognize triggers earlier
– More effectiveness in dealing with them because they are smaller and more manageable
– Getting highjacked less frequently
– Noticeable benefits in their personal lives, including being able to set boundaries more consistently, where previously they could not, else they felt guilty; being able to take time out before reacting to relational triggers, thereby, less escalating and more effective in resolving conflicts with partners; feeling more confident and hopeful in their ability to effect changes in their lives; etc.
Needless to say, I am very gratified and grateful that I am able to learn about polyvagal work from Deb Dana as well as with my clients!
5 STARS!
Robyn Elliott (verified owner) –
Deb Dana makes Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory utterly accessible and comes up with some excellent clinical applications. Thank you Deb for this important book.
EL (verified owner) –
There was a lot of worthwhile insight and practical info to absorb here, seems to be genuinely applicable approach to mental health, Peter this to NLP which seems too out there and bizarre somehow, this is not at all so with polyvagal theory. Not sure how well a non-therapist can put this to use, seems like something that needs to be practiced and developed, it’s a skill set indeed not just theory. Definitely recommend to those seeking psychological insights into the the way the central nervous system operates within us.
Clare (verified owner) –
This book is incredible. I am 1/3 of the way through it and felt compelled to put it down so I could leave a glowing review. I have been interested in PVT for a while, and have tried to read Porges’s book which is an incredible introduction to the theory, but lacks practical application. This book, however, is all about how to use the theory with clients. It is straightforward and blends theory with practice and includes worksheets and tips for clinicians. It will undoubtedly change my psychotherapy practice. This book gives language and guidance to how to work with different states in clients, and also to introduce clients to their states, which is very informative and empowering for them. Incredible book. Thank you Deb!
Korbei Volker (verified owner) –
Die moderne Neuroforschung ist einen kopernikanische Wende, Bewusstsein und Gesundheit betreffend (ich lese nach Möglichkeit kein Buch das vor 2014 erschienen ist). Zum besseren Verständnis wĂĽrde ich vorher “The Healing Self” (erscheint am 25 März auf Deutsch) von Rudolph Tanzi (bitte den Autor googeln) lesen.
Victoria Jones (verified owner) –
Wonderful book, great information, a must read for anyone working with trauma.
Lily Koi (verified owner) –
This is the PVT holy grail, in my opinion, I heard about it on The Polyvagal Podcast. This book is a phenomenally well put together resource for therapists and self-help alike. It’s written in a way that’s incredibly clear and easy to understand. I can’t recommend this book more.
CBS (verified owner) –
This is the book that therapists who are interested in using Polyvagal Theory strategies have been waiting for! Deb Dana makes the information accessible but then takes it a step further and integrates the concepts into easy to use interventions.
Coach T (verified owner) –
This book is a must read if you’re a parent, coach, leader or you want to understand your own beliefs and behaviors better!
Ami (verified owner) –
Outstanding
Jackie (verified owner) –
I love the way this author explains this.
J. Zornado (verified owner) –
Fantastic! A must read for ALL therapists
Dale Shimizu (verified owner) –
valuable information
Elle (verified owner) –
Fascinating! Easy enough to understand with an Exercise Physiology and Psychology background! Such beneficial information for every person to know about their nervous system! Highly recommend.
Sharyn Rose (verified owner) –
This provides an explanation for the reason that somatic interventions are effective, and actually what is effective about any mental health intervention. Talk therapy or mindfulness based therapy all work with the Vagal Nervous system making this information central to any treatment of trauma related disorders. Deb Dana is brilliant and deserves all the credit for identifying effective, intentional methods to help ourselves and our clients heal psychologically based trauma.
carol kummer (verified owner) –
Great book
Tafts (verified owner) –
Great book!
Yash (verified owner) –
Excellent book for those aspiring to integrate neurological functioning into psychology practice
Laura L (verified owner) –
This book provides a truly wonderful introduction/review of polyvagal theory and has useful tools on how to use it in work with clients. I’ve found it incredibly useful as a component in my work with folks co-treating trauma and addiction.
Jessie Chase (verified owner) –
This is a truly important text for how the ANS is impacted as a result of trauma. A must-read for professionals or any trauma survivor. I am both and found this one of the best reads and most informative in explaining how my body functions as a result of complex-PTSD and trauma. Thank you.
Julius (verified owner) –
02/03/2020
I am a MSW, LSW, and child/adolescent counselor at a trauma based organization. I love reading about this topic and I ordered this book immediately after a few co-workers prompted me. I have not read it yet because I am reading Brain Maker by Permutter (another great book you should check out….details the gut and brain connection). Anyways, after that book I am set on starting this book. I will update in a few months with a better review pertaining to this book 🙂
Gus Castellanos, MD (verified owner) –
As a mindfulness based program (mostly MBSR) teacher and retired Neurologist, I found Dana’s coverage and discussion of the polyvagal and autonomic nervous system thorough and rich in detail. I have begun to use the theory and her suggestions in my classes and have found them quite useful for me as well as for the participants in my classes. With the increasing awareness of trauma and the trend in trauma-informed therapy and trauma-sensitive mindfulness, this book is a welcomed addition and a must-read for anyone treating or in any way dealing with clients and patients. My only issue was that I bought the audiobook and the reader’s pace was a little too fast to allow for reflection on the information. May have to get the pring version. Highly recommended
Violet (verified owner) –
Great book for therapists, clinicians, trauma survivors, and loved ones. Easy to understand. Empathetic.
Ashley Whelan (verified owner) –
I absolutely adore this book. This was my first introduction to Polyvagal theory and I felt like it was really easy to understand. I felt comfortable describing this theory to my clients after reading this book and immediately took its concepts into my therapy sessions.
D. Flanagan (verified owner) –
The brain is a most fascinating organ. It is also very complicated. This record makes it easy to understand and apply to your work as a mental heath professional.
Tal (verified owner) –
Having read Stephen Porges book this gives a strong context in the application of the theory. Has useful insights beyond therapists into other types of support roles
Sharee (verified owner) –
This book taught me a lot. It’s much more accessible than any of the other books I’ve read on the subject. I am not a therapist.
alexa hackett (verified owner) –
Hard to read. I had to read it 3 times for full comprehension but maybe that’s just me.
Andrew Dunbar (verified owner) –
Great Book!
Fiber artist (verified owner) –
I live with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and Complex PTSD. Gaining better control over the vagus nerve is key for living well with both.
Bobbi-Jo M (verified owner) –
This book is fantastic. It gives instructions on how to integrate into your sessions with clients. I’ve been using the mapping exercises with several clients and they are responding very well to it.
RoyJustMe (verified owner) –
A great companion to talk therapy
Too many kids (verified owner) –
Like
Arunas (verified owner) –
As much psychology reaches to wisdom of meditation as much it grows.
Not Moses (verified owner) –
…Dana’s typically LCSW notion that CO-regulation of autonomic affect is the be-all and end-all bothers me =plenty=. I admit to being grounded in and loyal to Linehan’s Dialectical Behavior Therapy for good reason: It was the first major fix for early life trauma built in large part on insistent and repeated skills training as opposed to dependence upon interaction with a clinician for affect recognition, acknowledgement, acceptance, ownership, appreciation and processing. Pardon me if I missed any assertion of similar necessity in Dana’s volume, but I don’t think I did.
In my therapeutic world, the clinician is someone the patient will only see a few times before the insurance carrier says, “No mas, amigo.” (One on one therapy is almost strictly a private pay product anymore.) Thus, Vygotskyan, 12-Step-type, monkey-see-monkey-do (because others did it) group dynamics are key to moving the patient out of his or her self-“protective” defenses and into sufficient trust to allow a therapist to Teach The Patient HOW to Process Affects when he or she runs into them and NOT make the patient dependent upon the therapist for such.
“Give a man a fish and he eats today. Show a man =how= to fish, and he eats forever.” Or at least when he takes responsibility for his own self-care.
Other than that, the information here will be “revolutionary” for those who didn’t grow up on Hans Selye, Herbert Benson, Joseph Wolpe, Bruce McEwen, Sonya Lupien, Robert Sapolsky, Stephen Porges, et al, and/or missed the lectures on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; cortisol, CRF, ACTH & adrenaline; the autonomic nervous system and the general adaptation syndrome. Porges deserves enormous credit for staying the course amid decades of yawning and pharmaceutical ignorance; Dana deserves as much for re-simplifying it all sufficiently that MFTs and maybe even LCSWs can understand and apply it.
Liesel (verified owner) –
I found Deb Dana’s book to be both informative and practical. Ms. Dana was able to explain what happens with our nervous system when anxious or depressed, and how to focus on regulation. Although I am a psychotherapist, I found this to be useful both for my profession and my own life.
Elijah Logozar (verified owner) –
Wow! I had previously read about Gottman’s theory of emotional communication though until I read this book, I didn’t realize the extent of how attunement mutually influences physiology. I can feel the impact of connection in real-time and it’s obvious to me how useful Polyvagal theory is. Highly recommended!
Sara (verified owner) –
I use the Polyvagal exercises with my clients often to help explain what happens in their body when they are under stress. This is useful and highly informative in a down-to-earth kind of way.
Highly recommend for therapists.
Rachel Ritz (verified owner) –
Easy to understand the basis nerve and how it works in the body.