Description
A practical guide to working with the principles of polyvagal theory beyond the therapy session.
Deb Dana is the foremost translator of polyvagal theory into clinical practice. Here, in her third book on this groundbreaking theory, she provides therapists with a grab bag of polyvagal-informed exercises for their clients, to use both within and between sessions.
These exercises offer readily understandable explanations of the ways the autonomic nervous system directs daily living. They use the principles of polyvagal theory to guide clients to safely connect to their autonomic responses and navigate daily experiences in new ways. The exercises are designed to be introduced over time in a variety of clinical sessions with accompanying exercises appropriate for use by clients between sessions to enhance the therapeutic change process.
Essential reading for any therapist who wants to take their polyvagal knowledge to the next level and is looking for easy ways to deliver polyvagal solutions with their clients.
I love how Deb Dana has made polyvagal theory, and exercises to promote safety and connection so accessible, another wonderful contribution to the world
Looking for activities and interventions? Then this is your one stop shop! So many helpful and creative exercises which can be applied to a variety of clients ! This is a fantastic toolkit for both clinician and client.
Great book
just what I taught. exercises.
I purchased this to help use polyvagal theory in my work with an autistic PDA student. I also purchased “The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation” and I would suggest only buying this book rather than both if you know a little about polyvagal theory already. The other book covered very similar content but was more explanatory whereas the 50 exercises book was far more practical.
I use this book’s techniques every day to calm myself down with my own children – it suggests doing the exercises yourself first so I did and it really helped me personally which was unexpected. If you want help but can’t afford therapy then this would be a good thing to read as long as you are willing to put the work in yourself to do the exercises.
There are 50 and you don’t need to do them all but it might be worth putting a recurring calander event in so you do one per week/two per week so the book doesn’t end up gathering dust on your shelf.
I did some with my husband and discussed them afterwards which was really lovely and felt very safe and a lovely bonding activity (e.g imagining your polyvagal tree and seeing how ours differed, which helped us to understand each other more).
This book has also been really helpful at work so to sum up – if you’re on the fence, purchase it!