Polyvagal Theory informs all the work I do and teach

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, is a significant breakthrough in trauma treatment. As a therapist with 30 years of experience, I have witnessed its transformative impact on how we treat trauma and understand the neurobiology of being human. I was fortunate enough to attend a conference where Dr. Porges presented his work 19 years ago, and it inspired me to delve deeper into his research. This led to a complete transformation in the way I perceive people and conduct therapy. PV Theory has a profound impact on our comprehension of psychological principles and treatment, as well as the relational aspects of being human. Since it is rooted in biological responses, PV Theory enables us to approach our humanness with compassion, which is essential for each of us.

 

WHAT IS POLYVAGAL THEORY 

 

The Polyvagal Theory is a framework that explains the evolution of our nervous system through understanding the role of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve acts as a major pathway between the brain and the organs, impacting many aspects of body functioning, including our mental health. Through evolution, the vagus nerve's newest circuit developed as a crucial pathway for mammals, providing the neural platform necessary co-regulation, supporting our ability to care for our offspring, as well as for our affiliation with family and community. In essence, this theory emphasizes the importance of social connection and co-regulation as being deeply rooted in our neurobiology, supporting homeostasis in the body for optimal physical and mental health.

 

​​​In this chart below, you can see that we experience three primary states in the nervous system: social engagement (green zone), mobilization (fight/flight—yellow zone), and immobilization (freeze/collapse/shutdown—red zone) that illustrate trauma physiology. These states arise from our nervous system’s perception of threats through neuroception, a term coined by Porges to define our detection and response to potential dangers. It is not a cognitive process. In service of survival, neuroception operates continuously below the level of conscious awareness. Although we might not be aware of it, neuroception will dictate our physiological state.

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These three hierarchical states have biological underpinnings that influence our behaviors, emotions, and relational capacities based on the neuroception of safety or threat.  Because physiological states limit our behavioral repertoire, they have significant implications for our understanding of ourselves and others. When we feel safe, the social engagement state (the Ventral Vagal Complex) is dominant, enabling co-regulation as we connect with others in a supportive manner; this represents the physiology of the green zone. Conversely, if we sense danger, we move into mobilization (the Sympathetic Nervous System) to prepare for protective actions, which corresponds to yellow zone physiology. Finally, if our nervous system perceives a life threat, it shifts into immobilization (the Dorsal Vagal Complex), reflecting the red zone physiology. We are a very threat-sensitive species, particularly relationally, leading us to move easily into these yellow and red states. Polyvagal Theory underlines that our physiological state serves as the intervening variable in human behavior. For instance, if the mobilization (yellow zone) physiology is dominant, we may be unavailable for connection. Conversely, if we are in the red zone of immobilization, we might struggle to take necessary protective actions, such as utilizing either our fight/flight system or our social engagement system.​​

 

Life experiences, genetics, and epigenetics can cause certain physiological states to become fixed in mobilization (fight/flight—yellow zone) or immobilization (freeze/shutdown/collapse—red zone).

Stuck threat states are at the heart of dysregulation and many client issues in therapy.​

The stuckness will limit our behavioral options. Likewise, experiences can also interrupt an individual's ability to respond with fight/flight or social engagement. For example, if someone has been in situations where it was not safe to fight or flee, they may learn not to access mobilization for action. This could include not developing a healthy fight response to set boundaries, say "no," or advocate for themselves. Similarly, flight could also become less available, resulting in staying in bad situations or relationships. Lastly, without early relational support and caregiving, accessing the social engagement system might also be difficult. In summary, stuck threat states limit access to all three states that would support more satisfaction and regulation.​​​

 

The goal is not to be in the green zone all of the time as nervous system states shift throughout the day. It is mostly important to develop ways to access the green zone for more resilience and regulation. Feeling safe allows our nervous system to be present, aware, and responsive, facilitating a response rather than a reaction. This state includes feelings of ease and relational availability. The social engagement state of the green zone is vital, as the body is in a physiological state conducive to health, growth, and restoration. Moreover, it also establishes the foundation for healthy relationship skills and connections. Many of our struggles as humans stem from being stuck in threat states, thereby lacking the flexibility to access the necessary state. Being stuck in threat states is normal response after experiences of trauma and/or nervous system dysregulation. A flexible nervous system is a resilient nervous system, as it includes access to all three states creating options and choices in life.​​​

 

The good news is that there is assistance available to help make positive changes to create a more flexible nervous system. By connecting with the body and having support to change physiological states, we can shift our physiology to improve overall well-being. Paying attention to body's cues through embodiment is a key part of the healing process. Applying Polyvagal Theory in the therapy process can allow deeper shifts to assist clients in moving beyond simply managing behaviors and symptoms (surviving) to experiencing more wholeness (thriving), leading to more full-hearted living and agency. 

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​**There are other non-threat states in the nervous system, please see the information at the Polyvagal Institute: https://www.polyvagalinstitute.org/vagusnerve

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