A Transformation to Safety, Regulation & Connection
As we near the 30-year milestone of Stephen Porges’s introduction of his groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory (PVT) at a conference in Atlanta in October 1994, it is fitting to reflect on the profound impact this theory has had on our understanding of the nervous system and its implications for health and human behaviour.
The Polyvagal Theory has revolutionised the fields of psychology, trauma therapy, and somatic therapies, offering new insights into how our bodies and minds respond to stress, safety, and connection.
The Origins of the Polyvagal Theory
The journey of the Polyvagal Theory began in 1969 when Stephen Porges started his research on newborns and encountered what he described as the “Vagal Paradox.” This paradox revealed that the vagus nerve, traditionally associated with calming functions, could mediate defensive behaviours in response to perceived threats. This foundational insight set the stage for developing the Polyvagal Theory, which Porges presented in 1994 at the Psychophysiological Research Congress in Atlanta.
In 1995, Porges published a seminal article, “Orienting in a Defensive World: Mammalian Modifications of Our Evolutionary Heritage,” which elaborated on mammals’ evolutionary adaptations to downregulate defensive states in favour of safety and social engagement. This work underscored that our ability to feel safe and form cooperative relationships is deeply rooted in our physiological responses.
Expansion and Influence
The Polyvagal Theory was further elaborated in Porges’s 2011 book, The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation. This comprehensive work provided a detailed account of how the vagus nerve influences our emotional and social behaviours, laying the groundwork for its application in various therapeutic fields. Since its introduction, the Polyvagal Theory has been adopted by clinicians in psychology, trauma therapy, somatic therapies, and complementary health practices, including polarity therapy, craniosacral therapy, osteopathy, and energy medicine.
Prominent early adopters of the Polyvagal Theory include Peter Levine, creator of Somatic Experiencing; Laurence Heller, creator of the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM); and Bessel van der Kolk, author of The Body Keeps the Score. Van der Kolk famously stated, “The more neuroscience discovers about the brain, the more we realise that it is a vast network of interconnected parts organised to help us survive and flourish.” This sentiment reflects the core message of the Polyvagal Theory, which emphasises the interconnectedness of our physiological, psychological, emotional, and social states.
Clinical Applications and Broader Reach
In 2018, Porges, in collaboration with Deb Dana, published Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies. This book brought together contributions from leading clinicians who have applied the Polyvagal Theory to help their clients achieve states conducive to healing. Norman Doidge, author of The Brain That Changes Itself, praised the book for its practical applications and insights into how clinicians can use the theory to assist even the most distressed individuals.
Porges’s work continued to reach broader audiences with the publication of The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe in 2017, aimed at the general public. This guide provided a lucid explanation of how our sense of safety and reciprocity is biologically encoded, influencing the quality of our lives. Bessel van der Kolk highlighted its significance: “This book shows how most psychiatric problems are expressed in failures of attunement and reciprocity, and provides a guide to innovative methods to gain a sense of safety, mutuality, and belonging.”
In 2021, Porges published Polyvagal Safety: Attachment, Communication, Self-Regulation. This work compiled his most important writings since the theory’s original publication, emphasising that feeling safe is crucial for our well-being. It highlighted that our autonomic states play a primary role in our sense of safety, with cognitive evaluations being secondary.
As of 2023, Porges and his son Seth Porges have co-authored Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us, aiming to make the principles of the Polyvagal Theory accessible to everyone. This book offers actionable advice and real-world examples, demonstrating how the theory’s practical applications can help individuals lead safer, healthier, and happier lives.
Looking Ahead
Porges’s Polyvagal Perspectives: Interventions, Practices, and Strategies, published in August 2024, is anticipated to expand the application of the Polyvagal Theory further and influence various fields, from coaching to therapeutic practices to leadership to societal structures.
Neuroceptive Learning’s Journey with the Polyvagal Theory
At Neuroceptive Learning, we aim to apply the principles of the Polyvagal Theory to leadership and coaching, integrating insights from various modalities to enhance nervous system regulation. My journey with the Polyvagal Theory began in 2014 with studies in biodynamic psychotherapy, which introduced me to trauma treatment.
From 2018 to 2021, studies in polarity therapy and authentic communication deepened my understanding of the nervous system’s anatomy and the importance of the Polyvagal Theory.
Between 2020 and 2023, I explored newer neuro-somatic psychotherapies based on the Polyvagal Theory, developed by early adopters, such as Somatic Experiencing, Formative Embodiment, NARM, SOMA Embodiment, and Haptic Gamma.
Since 2019, I have studied various modalities that work with awareness, early developmental movement patterns, sensory integration, and the nervous system, including Feldenkrais Method, INPP, Brain Gym, Sophrology, Kinesiology, Blomberg Rhythmic Movements, mBraining & mBIT, Continuum, Bones for Life, and NeuroScanBalance. Additionally, my education in systemic somatic holistic psychotherapies and coaching modalities based on transpersonal psychoanalysis and the expanded work of pioneers like Roberto Assagioli’s Psychosynthesis and Wilhelm Reich’s body-oriented Biosynthesis has enriched my approach.
Our Philosophy and Approach
At Neuroceptive Learning, we recognise the profound wisdom inherent in the body, as famously noted by Friedrich Nietzsche:
“There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy.”
This belief underpins our approach, which is deeply informed by integrating Psychosynthesis and the Polyvagal Theory (PVT). We understand that events leading to C-PTSD cause nervous system dysregulation, shaping adaptive survival behaviours that, while necessary in childhood, can hinder self-expression aligned with our higher purpose and values in adulthood.
Our method is distinct in that it does not pathologise or merely treat symptoms. Instead, we optimise nervous system regulation – co-regulation and self-regulation – to restore neuroception and create psychologically safe environments. This holistic approach fosters self-leadership, enabling individuals to live according to their true values and higher purpose.
Facilitating Meaningful Change
Change, as we see it, begins with a clear intention or goal, deeply influenced by our core values and true self. It also requires awareness of our ontology – our way of doing, being, becoming, and belonging. This dual focus is crucial in determining whether our motivations are motivated by our soul values or driven by adaptive survival patterns formed in response to early life challenges.
The human nervous system’s phylogeny – the evolutionary blueprint – provides a foundation for our development. Our approach integrates both top-down (cognitive) and bottom-up (somatic) processes. The top-down approach engages conscious cognition to discern the values and motivations behind the change, navigating between the true self and adaptive survival patterns.
The bottom-up approach, grounded in the Polyvagal Theory, focuses on restoring nervous system regulation, ensuring that safety is maintained throughout the process. This combined approach honours the wisdom of the body and the nervous system, recognising that true transformation happens when we align our physiological state with our intentions.
The Role of Leadership and Psychological Safety
Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering environments where psychological safety is prioritised. Leaders who cultivate such environments enable individual self-leadership to flourish, empowering people to navigate the complexities of modern life with resilience and authenticity. In this context, health is not simply the absence of illness; rather, it is the ability to maintain a regulated nervous system, to connect meaningfully with others, and to live according to one’s values.
Our approach avoids seeking “either/or” solutions and instead focuses on managing polarities. By understanding that health, connection, and safety are interconnected, we guide individuals to balance these elements in their lives, enhancing their capacity to lead and live effectively.
Integrating Diverse Modalities for Holistic Well-being
Neuroceptive Learning combines a range of modalities, including the Polyvagal Theory, Sensory Integration, Psychosynthesis, Sophrology, Polarity Therapy, the Feldenkrais Method, Somatic Experiencing, the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), mBraining, and Nutritional Education. These diverse yet complementary approaches allow us to address the root causes of chronic dysregulation, restoring balance and regulation within the nervous system.
By embracing this integrated approach, we help individuals restore balance, connection, and regulation in their nervous system, enabling them to navigate the complexities of the modern world with resilience and confidence.
Join Us on a Transformative Journey
At Neuroceptive Learning, we invite you to join us on this transformative journey towards a psychologically safe world where you can thrive and live authentically. Let us guide you in restoring your inner balance and achieving the well-being you deserve.
Celebrate with us the 30 years of the Polyvagal Theory and explore how its principles can enrich your life and leadership.