How We Regulate: Using Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing
Much of traditional talk therapy bypasses or ignores a key part of how we heal - incorporating the body.
The body supplies an invaluable amount of information about our experiences and how we stored them. Like the children’s song tells us, the hand bone is connected to our wrist bone, our wrist bone is connected to our arm bone - but the same is true for our nervous system that runs throughout our entire body and yes, it is connected to, and includes, our brain.
That’s why we turn to somatic based therapies like Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Internal Family Systems (IFS), which invite us to move into our bodies where so much of our response to distress is stored. These powerful techniques offer a nuanced understanding of the body's response to trauma or stress and provide practical tools for emotion regulation.
Let’s take a look at the transformative power of integrating Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing for individuals seeking to regulate their emotions and heal the lingering effects of the past.
Click here to learn more about EMDR. Click here to learn more about IFS.
What is Polyvagal Theory?
Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explores the intricate interplay between the autonomic nervous system and social engagement. This theory introduces the concept of the vagus nerve, highlighting its role in shaping our physiological responses to stress and trauma.
Understanding Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: How We Integrate It
Engaging the nervous system: Polyvagal theory techniques emphasize practices that activate the ventral vagus nerve, promoting a sense of safety and connection. The nervous system is wired to regulate and dysregulate. When within functional ranges, this system essentially allows us to respond to danger in our environments and then settle back into rest and digest when the danger is over. However, the nervous system can get stuck with the accumulation of enough undigested stress.
Techniques such as gentle vocalizations, easy movement, eye contact, sensory mapping, or sensory anchoring can help regulate the nervous system. Therapy can be a safe environment to explore and practice techniques that support your unique nervous system.
Co-regulation: In an established safety and trust within a relationship, our ventral vagal state is activated, facilitating an exchange of emotional regulation from one person’s nervous system to the other. A safely-fostered therapeutic environment supports co-regulation by allowing an individual’s nervous system to access safety from the therapist’s ventral vagal state.
Essentially we are wired to co-regulate and dysregulate together - in the outside of therapy world, we may not have many, or any, co-regulating relationships.
But co-regulation is an experiential learning so therapy with a therapist who is committed to learning how to attune to you allows you and the therapist over time to learn how to create the conditions for co-regulation which can be a healing experience in itself.
Additionally, if we did not grow up in calm environments or have an adult who could remain regulated while sitting with big feelings, therapy and the other healthy relationships in our lives help to set up new neural pathways.
What is Somatic Experiencing?
Somatic Experiencing, developed by Dr. Peter Levine, delves into the body's innate ability to heal from trauma. It focuses on renegotiating the fight, flight, or freeze responses to restore a sense of balance.
Understanding Somatic Experiencing in Therapy: How We Integrate It
Tracking Sensations: One can begin to bring gentle attention to bodily sensation, continuing to notice how sensations change or move, which promotes awareness without overwhelming the nervous system. This process helps prevent dissociation and allows for a gradual exploration of one's nervous system responses.
Titration and Pendulation: Somatic experiencing aims to break down overwhelming experiences or sensations into more manageable pieces through titration, focusing on a smaller part of a larger experience. The individual is then guided to oscillate between sensations of safety and discomfort, fostering a gradual and more tolerable way of processing stored experiences.
By using techniques like Somatic Experiencing and drawing from Polyvagal Theory in sessions, individuals gain profound insight into their bodily experience and the mind-body connection. Practically, this can look like:
Learning grounding techniques and coping skills: Both methods incorporate grounding exercises that anchor clients in the present moment. This may involve mindful breathing, focusing on the senses, or using grounding objects to create a sense of stability.
Learning about your unique nervous system: Therapists using these techniques will guide individuals to observe their autonomic nervous system responses, empowering them to recognize and understand their bodily sensations. The heightened attunement facilitates a sense of control and agency in the ability to regulate emotions. This also teaches the therapist about how the individual they are treating experiences the world, promoting a deep understanding. This allows for more options for co-regulation within the therapeutic relationship.
Learning supports and strengths: Within these frameworks, individuals will identify and strengthen both internal and external resources that contribute to a sense of safety. This may include sensory items, positive memories, supportive relationships, or coping strategies that enhance resilience.
In the evolving landscape of trauma psychotherapy, the blend of Polyvagal Theory and Somatic Experiencing, and other somatic modalities such as EMDR and IFS, offer a holistic framework for emotion regulation and healing. By weaving these techniques into the fabric of therapeutic interventions, practitioners can guide clients toward a path of healing, resilience, and restored emotional well-being.
If you are interested in working with a therapist who incorporates these methods or other body-oriented and trauma-informed modalities, you can schedule a free consultation here.
More Reading:
How to Find A Therapist: Essential Questions to Ask When Searching for a Therapist
Understanding Trauma: Symptoms and Healing
Healing Attachment Wounds: How EMDR and Parts Work Can Help
Authorship: This blog was co-written by Morgan Levine, LCSW and Katy Levine, LMSW (no relation). Morgan Levine (licensed in MD, DC, VA, PA, CO, and FL) specializes in intensive EMDR and IFS-Informed EMDR virtually or in-person in her office or in Immersive Intensive Retreats. She’s passionate about working with adults who want to heal from perfectionism, overworking, anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, obsessions and compulsions, relationship issues, CPTSD, use of substances or people, attachment wounds, and specific trauma events.
Katy Levine (licensed in Washington, D.C., MD, VA, & PA) focuses on supporting clients with complex trauma history, attachment wounding, anxiety, and perfectionism, using IFS-informed EMDR.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for mental health care nor a recommendation or endorsement for any particular treatment plan, organization, provider, professional service, or product. The information may change without notice. No claims, promises, or guarantees are made about the completeness, accuracy, currency, content or quality of information linked. You assume all responsibility and risk for any use of the information.
IFS EMDR Therapy Group is an outpatient therapy group founded by Morgan Levine. We specialize in helping adults struggling with the effects of living in dysfunctional systems move toward healing and wholeness. We provide therapy to address symptoms such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, grief, obsessive and compulsive thoughts and behaviors including but not limited to using work, perfectionism, substances, relationships, food, etc. We offer ongoing support as well as EMDR intensives; both of which are informed by IFS, EMDR, DBT, CBT, Polyvagal Theory, trauma-informed yoga, attachment, and other recovery principles. Our therapists work virtually with clients living throughout Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Florida. Morgan Levine also provides trauma-informed consultation to therapists worldwide.
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