Polyvagal Theory: A Science of Safety
with Dr. Stephen Porges and Dr. Arielle Schwartz
These deep-dive Master Classes are offered exclusively to Embody Lab Members.
LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS HERE
ABOUT THIS MASTER CLASS
Polyvagal Theory provides an innovative scientific perspective to study feelings of safety that incorporates an understanding of neuroanatomy and neurophysiology. This perspective identifies neural circuits that downregulate neural regulation of threat reactions and functionally neutralize defensive strategies via neural circuits communicating cues of safety that enable feelings of safety to support interpersonal accessibility and homeostatic functions. Basically, when humans feel safe, their nervous systems support the homeostatic functions of health, growth, and restoration, while they simultaneously become accessible to others without feeling or expressing threat and vulnerability.
ABOUT YOUR TEACHERS
Dr. Stephen Porges
Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University and the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium in the Kinsey Institute. He is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, and Professor Emeritus at both the University of Illinois at Chicago and the University of Maryland. He served as president of the Society for Psychophysiological Research and the Federation of Associations in Behavioral & Brain Sciences and is a former recipient of a National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Development Award.
Dr. Porges is the originator of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental, and health problems related to traumatic experiences. He is the author of The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation (Norton, 2011), The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory: The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe, (Norton, 2017) and co-editor of Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies (Norton, 2018). He is the creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol™, which is currently used by more than 1500 therapists to reduce hearing sensitivities and improve spontaneous social engagement, language processing, state regulation, and spontaneous social engagement.
Learn more at stephenporges.com.
Dr. Arielle Schwartz
Arielle Schwartz, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist, EMDR Therapy consultant, somatic psychotherapist, and certified yoga instructor with a private practice in Boulder, Colorado. She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University and holds a Master’s degree in Somatic Psychology through Naropa University. She is the author of four books: The Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach to Emotional Control and Becoming Whole (Althea Press, 2016), EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology: Interventions to Enhance Embodiment in Trauma Treatment (W. W. Norton, 2018), The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook (Pesi Publishing, 2020), and The Practical Guide to Complex PTSD: Compassionate Strategies to Begin Healing from Childhood Trauma (Rockridge Press). She is dedicated to offering informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and her blog.