NAVIGATING CONFLICT WITH A RESILIENT NERVOUS SYSTEM
Hotel Meliá • Sitges, Barcelona, Spain
September 22-24, 2026
The 2026 PVI International Gathering
Join us September 22-24, 2026 -live in-person or virtually online- for The 2026 PVI International Gathering, Navigating Conflict with a Resilient Nervous System: an exploration of how polyvagal principles help individuals and communities move through conflict with flexibility, groundedness, and connection. With a distinguished lineup of global experts and a rich menu of Embodiment Sessions woven throughout each day, this year’s conference offers meaningful opportunities for learning, connection, co-regulation, and community.
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Expand your experience with our add-on Post-Conference Workshop on September 25, 2026 --an immersive, in-person day focused on applying polyvagal principles in your work and deepening your
capacity to bring Polyvagal Theory to your clients.​
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Hotel Reservations
Meliá Sitges
Our conference location is at the Meliá Sitges Hotel in Sitges, Barcelona, Spain.
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Use this exclusive link to book on-site accommodations with our special event room rate, with breakfast included. See more location details here.
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NAVIGATING CONFLICT WITH A
RESILIENT NERVOUS SYSTEM
Main Stage Conference Presenters
All presentations are in English. Live simultaneous interpretation will be available in-person in Spanish.
Other languages may be available via virtual live stream hosted by our International Partners. Check back for details!
Your
In-Person Conference
Ticket Includes:
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In-person Access to full conference, including Main Stage Presentations, from September 22-24, 2026
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Access to all In-person and Virtual Embodiment Practices
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An invitation to our Welcome Social on Tuesday evening, with refreshments and hors d'oeuvres
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Lunch on Tuesday and Wednesday, plus coffee breaks (breakfast is included for those staying onsite at Hotel Meliá)
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Access to our digital Event Community Space
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Access to the full recordings of the Main Stage Presentation and Virtual Embodiment Practices for 365 days
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Note:
In-Person Embodiment Practices are not recorded.
Payment plans are available during the registration process.
In-person seats and on-site accommodations are limited; we recommend securing your tickets and hotel reservations early!
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Refund Policy: Up until August 15, 2026 you may cancel your event registration and choose to either receive a full refund or switch your in-person registration to a virtual ticket and receive the difference in price refunded back to your original payment type. We are unable to issue any refunds after August 15, 2026. However, in-person ticket holders may still access virtual content.
Note that PVI's ticket refund policy and deadline may differ from any room cancellation policy with the event hotel. Please contact the hotel directly for specific policies related to your reservation.
Conference Schedule
Main Stage Keynotes and Presentations from September 22-24, 2026; all times listed are local time, Barcelona CEST (UTC +2).
A full daily schedule including in-person breaks, social gatherings,
and Embodiment Practices will be provided in the coming months.
1:00-3:00pm Lunch Break
3:00pm
Interrelational Conflict: A Panel Conversation​​​
All times listed are local time, Barcelona CEST (UTC +2).
9:00am
Frank Anderson​​​​
​Passive Abuse is Still Abuse: A Polyvagal and Trauma-Informed Perspective​​​​​
10:30am
Woltemade Hartman​​​​
Resource Activation in Difficult Times: Combining Polyvagal Theory, Yoga, Clinical Hypnosis, Breathwork and Somatic Experiencing Techniques
4:30pm
Deb Dana *presenting virtually​​​
From Dysregulation to Repair:
A Live Q&A on Conflict, Co-Regulation, and Clinical Practice
12:00pm
Enrique Arellano Farias​​​​
Embodying a Polyvagal Perspective in Turbulent Times: the Challenges of Loneliness, Opposition, and Family Estrangement
All times listed are local time, Barcelona CEST (UTC +2).
9:00am
Verena Koenig​​​
​From Social Submission to Emotional Manipulation –
How Appeasement and Fawn Responses Shape Our Relationships
10:10am
Tayseer Hassoon & Sherin Khalil
From Co-Regulation to Collective Healing: Polyvagal Lessons from Training, Camps, and Culture in Conflict Settings
12:00pm
Keira Barr
1:00-3:00pm Lunch Break
Additional Main Stage programming may extend until 5pm. Please check back for updates.
All times listed are local time, Barcelona CEST (UTC +2).
1:15-1:30pm
Conference Closing with George Thompson, PVI Board Chairman
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9:00am
Eugene Ellis​
10:10am
Kate Woodsome
11:45am
Social, Cultural, & Political Conflict: A Panel Conversation
When Conflict Lives on the Surface:
Skin, Relational Rupture, and the Biology of Repair
Holding the Heat: Navigating Racial and Social Conflict with Resilience
3:00pm
Stephen Porges *presenting virtually
From Neuroception to Social Engagement:
A Live Q&A on the Biology of Conflict and Connection
The Nervous System of Democracy:
Exploring Collective Trauma, Personal Resilience, and Civic Renewal
In-person attendees are welcome to access the Main Stage Live Stream or Virtual Embodiment Sessions online at any time using your own device. ​
Please note that the schedule posted here is subject to change.
Post-Conference Workshop Day
Friday, September 25, 2026
Add this experience to your in-person conference ticket with our BUNDLE, and save!
Expand your learning with experiential, in-person learning with PVI's expert Course Partners.
Learn real skills to apply in practice with clients in your professional work.
Designed specifically for clinicians, therapists, coaches, and other practitioners.
Language
Workshops will be presented in English with live simultaneous interpretation in Spanish.
Post-Conference Workshop Day Location
Hotel Sunway Playa Golf & Spa Sitges is about 15 minutes from our main conference venue. The location offers several on-site dining options for lunch, as well as additional restaurants in the surrounding area.
Schedule
You will choose from a menu of individual workshops running simultaneously.
Seats in each workshop are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call for
Poster Submissions
We invite you to submit a research poster for display at the 2026 PVI International Gathering, centered on the theme Navigating Conflict with a Resilient Nervous System.
We welcome submissions from researchers, clinicians, educators, practitioners, students and community voices who wish to share their innovative work, research, case studies, or experiential knowledge related to Polyvagal Theory and its applications. Those selected will be notified by June 15, 2026.
Hotel & Transportation
Hotel Meliá Sitges offers a relaxed, welcoming setting where natural light, coastal views, and comfortable gathering spaces are sure to bring a sense of ease. Located just steps from the sea and a short walk into the charming streets and beaches of Sitges, the hotel’s amenities and surroundings create a calm, enjoyable backdrop for connection, conversation, and learning throughout the conference.
Conference & Hotel Location
Hotel Meliá Sitges
Carrer de Joan Salvat Papasseit, 38, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, Spain
phone +34 938110811
The Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) is 25 minutes away by car or taxi, or 40 minutes by public transportation. The Sitges Train Station is a 5 minute ride away by local bus, or a 20 minute walk (1.4 km).
Available Amenities
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Check-in: 3:00 PM | Check-out: 12:00 PM
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Onsite dining options, swimming pool, gym, & wifi
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24 hour reception providing assistance navigating the local area
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An 8-minute walk from Port d'Aiguadolç, and a 15-20 minute walk to the historic town center of Sitges
Reserve Your Stay
A block of rooms has been set aside at Hotel Meliá Sitges. A special group rate for conference attendees is available. ​Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The special hotel rate is available to book until August 15, 2026. We recommend booking early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Event Community Space & Virtual Access
Event Community Space
Connect with fellow attendees in our dedicated Online Event Community Space. Network with other professionals, make dinner plans, discuss presentation topics, or arrange to share a taxi to the event location. This digital space is hosted on our learning platform, and is open to both in-person and virtual attendees once you are registered.
The PVI Learning Platform
Once you register to attend this event, you'll receive a confirmation and Welcome Email from noreply@notify.polyvagal.org.
We encourage you to head to make a note of your username and password - you will need this find detailed schedules, access the
Zoom links for the event live stream, watch the presentation recordings, engage in our Event Community Space, and more.
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For tech support, please view our For Enrolled Learners page.
Virtual Access &
Event Recordings
All conference ticket types include access to the event live stream (via Zoom). Your registration also includes access to the event recordings of the Main Stage Presentations for 365 days.
You'll also find virtual event access and the recordings (when ready) at the link below.