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LIVE Keynote

Deb Dana, LCSW and
Chris Willard, PsyD

Nurturing Resilience: Exploring Polyvagal Theory and Shame in Therapeutic Practice (includes Demo)

(90 mins)

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Click here to watch Deb and Chris Discuss Foundations of Polyvagal and more from the 2022 Compassion in Therapy Summit >>

Key Terms to Know

The ventral aspect of the autonomic nervous system is associated with feelings of safety, connection, and engagement with others. It is involved in creating a sense of calm and supporting social interactions. When the ventral vagal complex is activated, individuals are able to engage with others, express emotions, and form meaningful connections.

The sympathetic nervous system is part of the autonomic nervous system and plays a crucial role in mobilizing the body's resources for action. In the context of polyvagal theory, the sympathetic nervous system is associated with the fight-or-flight response.

The term "dorsal" refers to the dorsal vagal complex, which is another aspect of the autonomic nervous system. The dorsal vagal complex is associated with the body's immobilization or shutdown response. It is activated in situations where the individual perceives an extreme threat or danger that they cannot escape or fight against. When the dorsal vagal complex is activated, it leads to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and overall metabolic activity. It can result in feelings of dissociation, numbness, and disconnection from oneself and the environment.

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About the speakers

Deb Dana, LCSW,

Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author, and speaker. Her work is focused on creating ways of working that honor the role of the autonomic nervous system. She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and advisor to Unyte. Deb is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language that is clear and accessible and for pioneering Rhythm of Regulation® methodology, tools, techniques, and practices which continue to open up the power of Polyvagal Theory for professionals and curious people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. Deb believes that we all benefit when we have a basic understanding of the ways the nervous system works and learn how to become active operators of this essential system. Following this passion has led her to offering workshops in partnership with groups and communities outside of the clinical arena, and bringing the Polyvagal perspective to the ordinary, and sometimes extraordinary, experiences of daily living. Deb’s clinical work published with W.W. Norton includes The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation; Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client Centered Practices; the Polyvagal Flip Chart; the Polyvagal Card Deck; and Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety. She partners with Sounds True to bring her Polyvagal perspective to a general audience through the audio program Befriending Your Nervous System: Looking Through the Lens of Polyvagal Theory and her print book Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory.

Chris Willard, PsyD

Christopher Willard, PsyD, is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant based in Massachusetts. He has been invited to more than two dozen countries to speak, and has presented at two TEDx events. He is the author of 20 books, including Alphabreaths; Growing Up Mindful; and How we Grow Through What We Go Through. His thoughts on mental health have been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, cnn.com, and elsewhere. He teaches at Harvard Medical School. Find him on Instagram and facebook @drchriswillard

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  • Sorry I was not able to join in and wished that the all the videos were available for at least a week rather than 48 hours. Please reconsider.

    Reply

  • Thank you for a great insightful series of lectures.Excellent variety of views n experiments with authenticity and clearity.
    Would like to take help for guilt management for my self.As my daughter is undergoing cancer treasent (surviver)due to side effects of her medication, concerned about her behavior with family.

    Reply

  • Extremely useful Talks with examples and cases.
    I need some help in healing from guilt .
    Helping my daughter who is a cancersurviver.Still on monthly treatment.Due to side effects of medication some turbulent times come in .to face those need to help my self to gain resilience,safe n calmness.
    Thank you for a grt insightful lecture series with variety of issues related,are brought in by well experienced people/ professionals.
    Good day
    Regards

    Reply

  • Greetings from Aotearoa New Zealand, wonderful material, thank you for making it free for a short period of time.

    Reply

  • Deepest gratitude from Australia.
    Really appreciate all the information and watching your powerful session Deb and Carly.

    Reply

  • Thank you so much for this session, and for the entire conference. I have been learning about Polyvagal Theory, IFS parts work, self-compassion practices, and other ways of working wisely with myself and with clients, and here, being able to witness the expert clinicians as they work with the brave volunteers in the demonstration sessions has been remarkably powerful, enriching my understanding, modeling how to do the work in real time. What a tremendous gift! Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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  • I haven’t worked for a year now and this presentation was a wonderful journey back into the therapeutic space working with polyvagal theory. Thankyou for sharing.

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  • Deb, thank you so much for this illuminating explanation of PVT and demonstration of how to use PVT with a client. And thank you Carlie as well for your openness and wisdom in staying in the present. I’ve been working through your six month PVT training, Deb, on PESI, but this video opened up so much that I wasn’t understanding well. Beautiful, helpful work.

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  • I spent today on a somatics course then found your conversation . Thank you . I am familiar with the polyvagal theory and live this work and how it can support others

    Reply

  • Thank you so much for this great work. I appreciate a lot this very respectful way to get in touch with the inner safe place.

    Reply

  • Incredible gratitude for your sharing this material with us , and for YOUR work…… I always wondered where the tenderness
    lived…….since my childhood….
    I see now ………it’s here……
    Thank you…..

    Reply

  • This was so very good. I caught the live part way in. I was getting triggered but was able to get out of it.So I am going through it again and I could see how very valuable this is. It takes some of the other things I have been learning even deeper. So very much appreciated

    Reply

  • Deeper knowing, understanding about how our bodies truly keep score. Clients will heal because of this slice of awareness. My brain was linking, makes so much sense. It’s in the little things, such as the “Cotton Wood” can provide us release. Thank you

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  • Thank you so much Carlie and Deb. Deb, I experienced you as collaboratively working with Carlie in a way that was fluidly anchoring in safety and deep respect for the now at every level. It was a precious gift to witness the gentle befriending of shame and fear with deep presence, attunement, tenderness and love. Carlie you demonstrated courage, curiosity and discernment. Thank you very much.

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  • Thank you for the opportunity today to hear a clear understanding of the theory as well as the demonstration of the theory naming its parts. I found this strategy helpful to assist and name which part is operational and which part needs to be ‘parented’ so that equilibrium can be the main course of healthy functioning.
    I appreciate the ‘client”s willingness to assist us in this learning.
    Jenny

    Reply

  • this is a very experienced “client” who knows and can identify dorsal and ventral. I wonder how that would work with “normal” clients – is it important to call it “ventral or dorsal” since the client might not be so familiar with that? or even might confuse the client?

    Reply

    • One of the things Deb does in her trainings is encourage people to find their own words for each state. This is a learning process. it’s not static. You might find it helpful to check out the mapping pages she’s given us all access to. I think they were posted under her video page.

      Reply

  • It was amazing to feel my nervous system co-regulate with Deb as she began her session, even knowing intellectually the session was pre-recorded. Such a powerful set of tools to regulate our systems and to help others through these straightforward techniques. Thank you!

    Reply

  • Thank you so much for all this juicy inforation about poliagal theory! finally I understood what it is all about….Blessings

    Reply

  • Thank you. I’ve, unknowingly, used this “practice” in my personal journal for nearly 34 years, to discover the inner workings of my inner being. Thank you for explaining it so clearly. It’s very validating. Thank you.

    Reply

  • Outstanding and I felt very privileged to witness the practice with Deb and Carlie (& Beef of course)
    🙂 – very powerful.
    Thank you

    Reply

  • Deb brings such a wonderful integrative modality combining the latest in neuroscience with empathic counseling and a parts-style approach to
    befriend” the nervous system, ask permission, and be able to do the work with inner safety. This counseling is equally helpful for both left and right dominant brain focused clients.

    Reply