Last year, I had the privilege of attending the five-day Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne. Among the many brilliant presenters, two stood out for me in a profound way: Deb Dana and Arielle Schwartz — both leaders in the research and clinical application of polyvagal theory.

After seven hours of lectures and workshops with them, I walked away with an overwhelming amount of food for thought. Their work offered not only theory, but a deeply compassionate language for understanding the nervous system — one that immediately resonated with me as a trauma-informed, strengths-based, client-centred clinician who works heavily within ACT.

As I often do when integrating new learning, I spent time writing, reflecting, and mapping out how these concepts could be embedded into the modalities I already feel grounded in. What emerged was a clear, practical summary of the core ideas, the gradual therapeutic process involved in supporting trauma recovery, and a set of creative, safe tools I could introduce to clients.

Why polyvagal theory resonates with clients

One of the most powerful shifts I've noticed is how clients respond to the language of the nervous system. It is grounding. It is respectful. It is normalising.

Instead of feeling pathologised or "broken," clients begin to understand that trauma sits in the body — not as a flaw, but as a protective response shaped by experience.

When clients learn about their autonomic states, something changes. They often express relief, curiosity, and even hope. They begin to see that their reactions are not failures, but patterns of survival.

Many clients describe feeling empowered when they realise they can build "bridges" back toward ventral vagal moments — the state where safety, connection, curiosity, and openness live. Even small glimpses of ventral can feel like reclaiming a part of themselves they thought was lost.

Polyvagal theory beyond trauma

Although polyvagal theory is deeply relevant for trauma recovery, I've found it equally valuable when working with:

anxiety
depression
parent–child relationships
emotional regulation
interpersonal conflict
identity and self-trust

The nervous system becomes a shared language — one that reduces shame and increases self-understanding.

My favourite polyvagal-informed exercise: mapping the nervous system

One of the most meaningful activities I use with clients is mapping their nervous system. It is simple, creative, and deeply empowering.

Together, we explore:

Naming their states. Clients identify what ventral, sympathetic, and dorsal feel like in their body. We use colours, drawings, metaphors, or sensory descriptions — whatever fits their style.
Identifying cues of danger. These might include tone of voice, facial expressions, unpredictability, conflict, sensory overload, or relational disconnection. Clients begin to understand why their body reacts the way it does.
Identifying cues of safety. This is often the most transformative part. Clients explore what helps them feel grounded, connected, or calm — even for a moment.
Building "bridges" back to ventral. We talk about small, doable practices that help shift the system: breath work, movement, co-regulation, sensory grounding, self-talk, pacing, connection with others, nature, and music.

Clients learn that while they cannot control their nervous system's initial response, they can learn ways to gently guide themselves toward moments of safety and regulation.

This gives clients hope. It gives them agency. It gives them a roadmap for recovery.

Why this matters clinically

Polyvagal theory integrates beautifully with strengths-based, trauma-informed, client-centred work and ACT. It supports:

normalisation of trauma responses
reduction of shame
increased self-compassion
improved emotional literacy
clearer understanding of triggers
more effective regulation strategies
deeper therapeutic alliance

And that is the heart of the work — helping clients reconnect with themselves in a way that feels safe, possible, and hopeful.

For clinicians: stay connected

If you're a clinician interested in integrating polyvagal-informed tools into your practice, I encourage you to reach out. I regularly share practical worksheets, session activities, and reflective pieces designed to support trauma-informed work.

You can also subscribe to receive new tools, resources, and clinical reflections as they're released.

Polyvagal theory has added depth, clarity, and compassion to my practice — and I'd love to support you in bringing these concepts to your clients in meaningful, safe, and creative ways.