"Since its inception in 2020, Polyvagal Institute has been sharing and teaching the foundations of Polyvagal Theory and its application in both personal and professional environments, and has brought my work and research to learners and practitioners around the globe. Unlike any other course available, this comprehensive study of Polyvagal Theory explores key principles through interactive lectures, embodiment practices, and multidisciplinary discussions. We look forward to welcoming you to our community of learners."
-- Stephen Porges, PhD
Course Overview
Now enrolling Cohort 6, beginning January 15, 2025
This course will also be offered in 2025 by some of our international partners, in languages other than English.
The purpose of this course is to provide a comprehensive and interactive Polyvagal Theory learning experience for a broad audience of those looking to apply polyvagal principles to their personal and/or professional lives. Students finish this course equipped with practices, concepts, and a community to embody and refine their application of polyvagal principles whether it is with themselves, their families, friends, clients, or colleagues.
In this course, you'll dive deeper into your understanding of the human nervous system and the role the vagus nerve plays in responding to perceived threat and stressors. From self-regulation to co-regulation, you'll learn the science behind community and connection, and how feelings of safety and trust impact our social interactions and sense of resilience so that we can grow and thrive.
Students will have access to the course for 300 days from the date of registration.
Please learn more at The Polyvagal Certificate Course page.
Financial Investment
Community Price $2100 or three payments of $700 or seven payments of $300
Supporter Price* $2400 or three payments of $800
* If you feel that you are financially able to pay the Supporter price, the extra funds from your enrollment will go towards scholarships for other learners in this course. Thank you for contributing to the PVI community in this way!
Polyvagal Institute delivers the flagship educational experience for understanding and applying Polyvagal Theory and principles to life.
In addition to live session meeting times, there will also be live practice pod sessions offered at a variety of dates/times you can choose from (dates/times tbd). Each pod will consist of up to 12 students and will meet five times for 90 minutes each over the duration of the course.
THE INSTRUCTORS
This course is led by a team of expert instructors, including Dr. Stephen Porges, developer of the Polyvagal Theory and co-founder of Polyvagal Institute. Our online classrooms are trauma-informed spaces of safety and belonging, and our instructors each bring their own unique perspective, experience, and expertise to the course content. Please note: exact instructor line up may vary by cohort.
Stephen Porges, PhD
Les Aria, PhD
Michael Allison
Tracy Stackhouse, MA, OTR
Niloufer Merchant, EdD
Jan Winhall, MSW, FOT
Niki Elliott, PhD
Arielle Schwartz, PhD, E-RYT
George Thompson, MD
Amber Elizabeth Gray, PHD, MPH, LPCC, BC-DMT, NCC
THE COURSE
We believe this course is special. Really special. Here are a few reasons why:
Dr. Porges
- Live discussions with Dr. Stephen Porges, the developer of Polyvagal Theory and a founder of Polyvagal Institute.
The PVI Flagship Course
- This is the most comprehensive training Polyvagal Institute has ever offered on the topic of Polyvagal Theory. This is the one you have been waiting for!
International / Multi-Languages
Live Teaching
- Live sessions and over 30 hours of course time offer you conversation and connection so you can learn in the moment.
Practice Pods
- Connect with people learning alongside you in monthly Practice Pods over the duration of the course.
Certificate
- Earn a certificate from Polyvagal Institute, the founding source for learning about the Polyvagal Theory.
Format
Recommended Audience
CE's and/or Certificate of Completion Available
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What is the attendance policy for a course?Live/Hybrid courses: While specific course policies may vary, we typically allow one absence for a live or hybrid course and require watching the recording and sometimes submitting a reflection for the missed session. If a participant is absent for more than the permissible number of live sessions, they may not be eligible for a certificate. Self-paced courses: In short, not applicable. Attendance does not apply to self-paced as they are designed to be consumed when the student is willing and able to take the course. All material is pre-recorded content, reading, or individual assignments.
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How are live sessions held?Live sessions are held via Zoom. Zoom links are available inside the course content and in email reminders sent to enrollees.
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What if I am unable to attend a live session?We upload recordings of our live sessions within 72 hours. (Please see the attendance policy above.)
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How can I tell what time the live session will be in my local time zone?We typically provide live session start times in the four time zones of the continental United States. To convert live session times to your local timezone, please visit https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/converter.html.
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Where can I find the course material?Thinkific is our learning management system. Upon enrolling in a course, you will receive an invite email to the course in Thinkific, where you can find all of the course materials and links.
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Is this course accredited?The course page will list any continuing education credits (CEs) or other professional benefits that might be available for the course (and any applicable restrictions). If none are listed, then none are available.
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How do I reset my password to Thinkific?You can reset your password by going to https://pvi.thinkific.com/users/sign_in and clicking “Forgot Password?” link below the password field. You will then enter the email address you used when creating your account to receive a one-time password reset link. Use the instructions in that email to complete your password reset. If you have any other technical questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org.
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Is there closed captioning?Yes. Most pre-recorded content is hosted in Vimeo, which has closed captioning. If you come across a video that does not have closed captioning, please send us a message at info@polyvagal.org.
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In which currency are your prices listed in?Our prices are listed in USD (United States Dollars). Your credit card or bank statement will likely reflect the price in your local currency.
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Will I be charged sales tax?If you are located in the US or Canada, you will be charged sales tax on the cost of your course.
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Are there scholarships available?Yes, PVI offers scholarships for all of our courses on a rolling basis. You can apply for a scholarship at https://forms.gle/vvfQdyAtw3k79LpM9.
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Are there group discounts?Yes. For groups of five or more participants, a 15% discount is available for each participant.
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What is your refund policy?30 day money back guarantee for all of our courses (from date of purchase for self-paced courses and from date of first live session for live courses). Please reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org if you'd like to inquire about a refund.
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Can I purchase a gift certificate for PVI courses?Give the gift of learning! Yes, Polyvagal Institute offers digital gift certificates that arrive by email, and can be used towards any of our courses. Gift certificates are a simple way to share polyvagal insight and knowledge that stems from a better understanding of the human experience. Purchase a gift certificate now!
INSTRUCTOR(S)
Stephen Porges, PhD
Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D. is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University where he is 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. He 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 creator of a music-based intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol ™ , which currently is used by approximately 4,000 therapists to improve spontaneous social engagement, to reduce hearing sensitivities, and to improve language processing, state regulation, and spontaneous social engagement. Dr. Porges is a founder of the Polyvagal Institute.
Stephen Porges, PhD
9 Polyvagal Experts
9 Polyvagal Experts
This course is led by a team of expert instructors, including Dr. Stephen Porges, developer of the Polyvagal Theory and co-founder of Polyvagal Institute. Our online classrooms are trauma-informed spaces of safety and belonging, and our instructors each bring their own unique perspective, experience, and expertise to the course content. Please note: exact instructor line up may vary by cohort.