Have you ever wondered why your body reacts before your mind can catch up, like feeling anxious, shut down, or overwhelmed without knowing why? Polyvagal Therapy helps explain these reactions by focusing on the role of the nervous system in emotional and mental health.
Rather than asking, “What’s wrong with me?” Polyvagal Therapy helps people understand, “What is my nervous system trying to protect me from?”
What Is Polyvagal Therapy?
Polyvagal Therapy is a therapeutic approach based on Polyvagal Theory, developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges. This approach focuses on how the autonomic nervous system influences emotions, behavior, and the sense of safety in the body.
At its core, Polyvagal Therapy helps individuals:
- Understand their nervous system responses
- Recognize patterns of stress, anxiety, or shutdown
- Learn how to gently regulate their body and emotions
It is especially helpful for people who feel stuck in anxiety, chronic stress, trauma responses, or emotional numbness.
Understanding the Nervous System
Polyvagal Theory explains that the nervous system operates through three main states:
- Ventral Vagal State (Safe & Connected)
- Calm, grounded, and emotionally present
- Able to connect with others
- Clear thinking and emotional balance
This is the state where healing, learning, and connection happen most easily.
- Sympathetic State (Fight or Flight)
- Anxiety, panic, anger, or restlessness
- Racing thoughts or a tense body
- Feeling overwhelmed or on edge
This state activates when the body senses danger or stress.
- Dorsal Vagal State (Freeze or Shutdown)
- Feeling numb, disconnected, or hopeless
- Low energy or withdrawal
- Difficulty feeling emotions
This state often appears after prolonged stress or trauma.
Polyvagal Therapy helps clients move out of survival states and back into a sense of safety and regulation.
How Does Polyvagal Therapy Work?
Polyvagal Therapy focuses on body-based awareness, not just talking through problems. Sessions are designed to help clients gently tune into their nervous system and learn what helps them feel safe and regulated.
Therapeutic techniques may include:
- Breathing and grounding exercises
- Body awareness and tracking sensations
- Mindfulness and gentle movement
- Identifying triggers and safety cues
- Building emotional regulation skills
The goal is not to “force” calm, but to teach the nervous system that it is safe.
What Can Polyvagal Therapy Help With?
Polyvagal Therapy can be helpful for individuals experiencing:
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Chronic stress or burnout
- Trauma or PTSD
- Depression or emotional numbness
- Difficulty with emotional regulation
- Relationship or attachment challenges
- Feeling “stuck” in survival mode
It is often used alongside other therapeutic approaches such as trauma-informed therapy, somatic therapy, EMDR, or cognitive-behavioral therapies.
How Is Polyvagal Therapy Different From Traditional Talk Therapy?
Traditional talk therapy focuses primarily on thoughts and behaviors. Polyvagal Therapy recognizes that healing also happens through the body.
|
Traditional Therapy |
Polyvagal Therapy |
|
Focuses on thoughts and emotions |
Focuses on nervous system states |
|
Insight-based |
Body-based and experiential |
|
Change through understanding |
Change through regulation and safety |
Many clients find Polyvagal Therapy especially helpful when they’ve tried talk therapy before but still feel physically anxious or emotionally stuck.
Is Polyvagal Therapy Evidence-Based?
Polyvagal Theory is grounded in neuroscience and continues to be widely studied and applied in trauma-informed and somatic therapies. While Polyvagal Therapy itself is often integrated with other evidence-based practices, it has become a trusted framework for understanding how the nervous system affects mental health and healing.
Is Polyvagal Therapy Right for You?
If you:
- Feel overwhelmed or anxious without knowing why
- Struggle to calm your body even when your mind understands
- Experience emotional shutdown or disconnection
- Want a gentler, more compassionate approach to healing
Polyvagal Therapy may be a powerful and supportive option.
Looking for Polyvagal-Informed Therapy?
Our therapists use a trauma-informed, nervous system–focused approach to help clients feel safer, more regulated, and more connected to themselves and others. If you’re curious about Polyvagal Therapy or want to learn how it can support your healing journey, we’re here to help.
Contact The Lighted Path LLC today to schedule a consultation or learn more about Polyvagal-informed therapy services.