Trauma Treatment Course
Polyvagal Theory and Trauma
Trainer:Â Rebecca Kase
Available on-demand
How well do you understand the nervous system’s role in trauma responses? The Polyvagal Theory & Trauma course, led by Rebecca Kase, LCSW, dives deep into the science of safety and the intricate workings of the autonomic nervous system. This course is designed to empower therapists with a clear understanding of how trauma affects the body and mind, explaining why some clients struggle to move past traumatic events. By learning the principles of Polyvagal Theory, you’ll gain insights into how the vagus nerve influences trauma responses and how you can help your clients regain control over their nervous systems.
In this course, you’ll discover practical strategies for improving vagal tone, a key factor in emotional regulation and recovery from trauma. You’ll learn how to apply neural exercises to support healing and explore the critical role of social engagement in trauma therapy. This course equips you with the tools to create a therapeutic environment where clients feel safe and supported, enabling them to move out of survival mode and into a place of healing and resilience. Whether you’re new to Polyvagal Theory or looking to deepen your understanding, this course is essential for enhancing your practice and helping your clients thrive.
This course was recorded on May 22, 2024.
Available for asynchronous on-demand.
This course is an individual module from our Foundations of Traumatology: Key Skills for Trauma Therapy program, which is a 20 CE, 9 module program. You can get access to this module, and 8 more modules with the entire comprehensive program!
COURSE DETAILS
The Polyvagal Theory & Trauma course, presented by Rebecca Kase, LCSW, offers a comprehensive exploration of how Polyvagal Theory can be applied to understand and treat trauma responses. The course begins by introducing Polyvagal Theory, a concept developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, which explains the adaptive functions of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) as mediated by the vagus nerve. The course highlights the importance of understanding how the nervous system responds to perceived threats and how these responses are more crucial than the traumatic event itself.
The course delves into the various trauma responses, commonly known as the “4 F’s”: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Faint. It explains how these responses are hardwired into the brain and body as survival mechanisms, largely influenced by the vagus nerve. Participants learn about the different pathways of the autonomic nervous system, including the ventral vagal pathway (associated with safety and social engagement), the sympathetic pathway (linked to mobilization and hyperarousal), and the dorsal vagal pathway (related to shutdown and hypoarousal). The course emphasizes that trauma responses are neurophysiological processes and that understanding these pathways is key to effective trauma therapy.
A significant focus of the course is on the concept of “vagal tone,” which refers to the flexibility and health of the vagus nerve. A toned vagus nerve allows individuals to move out of stress responses more easily, contributing to better emotional regulation, improved mood, and healthier relationships. The course introduces “neural exercises” as a method to improve vagal tone, thereby enhancing the body’s ability to heal from trauma. It also underscores the importance of social engagement and relationships in the healing process, as these are essential for creating a sense of safety and promoting recovery from trauma.
Overall, the Polyvagal Theory & Trauma course provides therapists with a robust framework for understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of trauma responses and equips them with practical tools to help clients work with their nervous systems for healing and recovery.
AGENDA
- Why PVT
- Research
- Introduction to the vagus
- What is the ANS?
- Neuroception
- PVT and Trauma
- Vagal tone
- The social engagement system
- Trauma healing
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Identify the core features and symptoms of Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) that differentiate it from traditional Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Describe the impact of prolonged, repeated trauma on cognition, emotion, and memory.
- Analyze the interplay of attachment and trauma and how attachment is linked to Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD).
ABOUT YOUR TRAINER, REBECCA KASE
Trauma Therapist Institute Founder Rebecca Kase is recognized as one of the foremost EMDR trainers and trauma experts in the U.S. She is an LCSW, professional EMDR consultant and trainer, registered yoga teacher, and author of Polyvagal Informed EMDR: A Neuro-Informed Approach to Healing (2023).
Rebecca has been practicing in the field of trauma counseling since 2006. She’s an expert in working with complex trauma and dissociation and has practiced in both nonprofit and private practice settings. In her own therapy practice, Rebecca incorporates yoga therapy, ego states, somatic approaches, Polyvagal Theory and EMDR into her work with clients, which includes veterans and adults with Complex PTSD. Rebecca is known as a skillful, clear and enthusiastic teacher. She’ll keep you engaged and make you giggle, even in an online trauma training course!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
