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Engaging The Rhythm of Regulation:
Foundations of Polyvagal Informed Practice Part I

Format: 42 hours hybrid live-online & recorded sessions
Price: $1750 using payment plans; $1600 full payment up front
Contact: info@polyvagal.org
CE’s: 32 available for purchase
Instructor: The Foundations Training Staff

This course is developed by Deb Dana, LCSW, and presented by her training team in cooperation with PVI to offer a deeply interactive learning experience and grounding in Polyvagal Theory. It is the first training in the Rhythm of Regulation training series.

Course Description

The autonomic nervous system is at the heart of daily living, powerfully shaping experiences of safety and influencing the capacity for connection. Through the organizing principles of hierarchy, neuroception and co-regulation, Polyvagal Theory has revolutionized our understanding of how this system works. Guided by Polyvagal Theory, we have a new appreciation of the ways experience shapes the nervous system and of the pathways that lead to healing. With this updated map of the autonomic circuits of connection, mobilization, and collapse, we have practical ways to effectively help clients identify and interrupt patterns of protection, and strategies to shape their systems toward the regulated state of safety and connection that is necessary for successful treatment. 


In the Foundations of Polyvagal Practice Part I workshop participants will explore Polyvagal Theory by learning the language of the nervous system as they map their own autonomic pathways and discover how to become a regulated and regulating resource for clients. Participants will learn how to bring the power of Polyvagal Theory into clinical work with practices designed to reliably help clients re-shape their systems and re-write the stories that are carried in their autonomic pathways.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Clinicians taking this workshop will gain a basic understanding of Polyvagal principles and learn specific ways to bring a Polyvagal lens to clinical work. This program is appropriate for all licensed clinicians including social workers, psychologists and clinical counselors. As an entry level training, no prior experience with Polyvagal Theory is required. The training focuses on both participant’s understanding of their own autonomic responses and application with clients. The exercises are geared towards working in a clinical setting. Participants from all the helping professions are welcome and those who are not from a traditional clinical licensure program are encouraged to speak with a trainer before registering.   

Main Concepts Covered...

This is an introductory level course for individuals. 

  • The organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory

  • How to create autonomic maps and use them as a guide in treatment

  • Skills to track habitual response patterns

  • Ways to build individual and interactive resources to shape the nervous system toward connection

  • Practices that engage the co-regulating pathways of the social engagement system

  • Working with therapeutic rupture and repair

  • Beginning techniques to reshape the autonomic nervous system 

  • How to introduce a Polyvagal approach into clinical practice

Learning Objectives

At the end of this workshop participants will be able to:

  1. Explain the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory 

  2. Describe Polyvagal Theory in client friendly language

  3. Explain the hierarchy of autonomic response 

  4. Discuss ways neuroception activates autonomic state shifts

  5. Review the biological need for co-regulation

  6. Summarize the function of the vagal brake

  7. Conduct exercises with clients designed to strengthen the vagal brake

  8. Evaluate client experiences of mobilization, disconnection, and engagement through the lens of Polyvagal Theory

  9. Summarize the common body responses, thoughts, feelings, and actions for each autonomic state 

  10. Complete the basic mapping sequence with clients

  11. Practice co-regulating actions with clients and evaluate response 

  12. Identify the impact of autonomic state on behaviors, beliefs, and relationships

  13. Utilize skills to recognize and regulate patterns of autonomic response 

  14. Apply practices to engage individual elements of the social engagement system

  15. Utilize skills using sound, movement, and breath to increase autonomic flexibility

  16. Utilize autonomic state/state changes to identify moments of therapeutic rupture 

  17. Demonstrate how to repair a rupture and create a return to co-regulation 

  18. Describe the basic elements of a polyvagal guided session

  19. Plan how to incorporate a polyvagal approach into their clinical practice

  20. Formulate clinical cases through the lens of Polyvagal Theory 

  21. Summarize ethical considerations of polyvagal informed clinical work 

Important Course Info

  • Prior to registering for the course, please be sure to check the live online session dates. If you have any concerns about potential time conflicts, please contact info@polyvagal.org. Within 7 days of the course start date PVI is not able to provide refunds or course credits for cancellations or transfers to another course start date.
     

  • This hybrid training has been designed as a combination of recorded modules and live, online experiences. 
     

  • You will have access to the course content for six weeks after the course ends.  You also have the option to purchase lifetime access to the Foundations Video Library at a 50% discounted rate ($150 ).  To purchase the Foundations Video Library please email info@rhythmofregulation.com for details.
     

  • The combined format of live online and recorded content is organized into five monthly modules. Each module is made up of three hours of video presentations from Deb Dana, and one three-hour live online session led by two of her Foundations trainers. All the videos are of Deb Dana teaching the principles of Polyvagal Informed practice and demonstrating the application of skills.
     

  • There is a significant level of interactivity between modules where participants will join with their Polyvagal Partner, Foundations Trainers and Consultants, and engage with small Consultation Groups.
     

  • Suggested Reading:
    The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy by Deb Dana      (W. W. Norton & Company, June 2018)
     

Structure + Groups

This is a hybrid course combining recorded modules, readings, and live online sessions. Participants are responsible for watching the videos and reading the assigned material prior to each live session, and must be present for the live sessions. Deb’s Trainers will conduct the live sessions which will include didactic presentations, experiential practice, role play, and Q&A. Foundations Consultants make up the rest of the training team supporting participants’ learning through monthly small group consultation.

Along with reviewing the written and recorded material, participants will be asked to complete practice assignments between training dates as a way to gain confidence and expertise.In addition to Deb’s presence throughout the training through the recorded content, Deb will offer a 90-minute Q&A session during the series and join the Module 5 live online session. 
 

Policy Info

Payment Policy
I agree to pay the full course fee. If I signed up on a 2- or 4- payment plan I am responsible for completing the full payment amount.  If I withdraw or transfer to another course before payment is complete, I am still responsible for the full payment amount.

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Registration, Concerns, Questions
To register, or for questions/concerns please email info@polyvagal.org.
 

PVI Cancellation & Transfer Policy
I understand that due to the cohort format of the course and the trainer-to-participant ratio, PVI is not able to provide refunds, course credits or transfers requested within 7 days of the start of the course, or after the course has begun.


PVI Disclosure Statement
PVI is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing high quality continuing education, evidence based content and up-to-date resources for professional and lay audiences. PVI courses have no disclosures with regard to commercial support or conflicts of interest.


Certificate Requests
Certificates of Completion will be made through the PVI learning platform upon completion of the course. 


Professional Continuing Education Credits 
Upon course completion, 32 CEs are available for purchase for $40 from co-sponsor R. Cassidy Seminars, P.O. Box 14473, Santa Rosa, California 95405
 
Satisfactory Completion
Participants must have paid all tuition fees, logged in and out of all of the online sessions, small group consultation sessions, 90-minute practice sessions and completed an evaluation to receive a certificate. Failure to log in or out will result in forfeiture of credit for the entire course. No exceptions will be made. Partial credit is not available. To be eligible for CE’s you must be present for the online sessions.


Disability Access
If you require ADA accommodations please contact our office 30 days or more before the event. We cannot ensure accommodations without adequate prior notification.
 

Continuing Education

Please Note: Licensing Boards change regulations often and while we attempt to stay abreast of their most recent changes, if you have questions or concerns about this course meeting your specific board’s approval, we recommend you contact your board directly to obtain a ruling.

Psychologists
R. Cassidy Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. R. Cassidy Seminars maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 32 CE hours
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0018. 32 clock hours. Live online.
 

Psychoanalysts
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychoanalysts. #P-0005. 32 clock hours. Live online.


Social Workers
CA and Other States: Most states accept continuing education courses offered by either CE Sponsors for APA, (which R. Cassidy Seminars is) or will accept the approval of other state licensing boards of the same license type. Some states, either do not require pre-approval of courses, or will allow licensees to retroactively file for course approval themselves. Check with your board to obtain a final ruling. 
IL-SWs: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #159.000785. 32 CE hours.
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider (#0006) of continuing education for licensed social workers. This program is approved for 32 contact hours. Live online.
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for 32 clock hours, #RCST110701


Creative Arts Therapists
NY: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed creative arts therapists, #CAT-0005. 32 contact hours. Live online.


Chemical Dependency Counselors
CA: Provider approved by CCAPP, Provider #4N-00-434-0555 for 32 CEHs. CCAPP is an ICRC member which has reciprocity with most ICRC member states
TX: Provider approved by the TCBAP Standards Committee, Provider No. 1749-06, 32 hours general. Expires 3/31/5051.  Complaints about provider or workshop content may be directed to the TCBAP Standards Committee, 1005 Congress Avenue, Ste. 460, Austin, Texas 78701, Fax Number (515) 476-7597.


Dentists
CA: R. Cassidy Seminars is a provider approved by the Dental Board of California as a registered provider of continuing education. RP# 4874. 32 CE Hours.

Counselors/Marriage and Family Therapists
CA and Other States: Most states accept continuing education courses offered by approved providers with national providerships or will accept the approvals of other state licensing boards of the same license type. Others, either do not require pre-approval of courses, or will allow licensees to retroactively file for course approval themselves. R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider with two national providerships, as well as holding many individual state license type approvals. Check with your board to obtain a final ruling.
IL-MFTs: Illinois Dept of Professional Regulation, Approved Continuing Education Sponsor, #168-000141. 32 hours.
NY-LMHCs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0015. 32 contact hours. Live online.
NY-LMFTs: R. Cassidy Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board of Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists. #MFT-0011. 32 contact hours. Live online.
OH: Provider approved by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board for 
32 clock hours, #RCST110701
TX: Approved CE Sponsor through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists. Provider #151, 32 CE hours.


Educators
TX: R. Cassidy Seminars is an approved provider with the Texas Education Agency CPE# 501456. This course is 32 CE Hours.

 

Nurses
CA: Provider approved by the CA Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #CeP15554, for 32 contact hours

 

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