• The BASIC approach to Polyvagal-informed treatment
• Trauma healing from a Polyvagal theory perspective
• Learning to stretch, but not stress, a client’s nervous system
• Co-regulation: An imperative in psychotherapy

• The three-part hierarchy of the autonomic response
• Neuroception: our internal surveillance system
• How early experiences and trauma shape our nervous system

• Exploring Hierarchies
• Identifying landmark moments in our nervous system
• Recognizing ventral vagal “anchors”
• Utilizing the social engagement scale
• Creating a neuroception notebook

• Building attention through naming autonomic states
• Daily tracking practices
• Attending over time
• Savoring practices

• Moving out of dorsal vagal collapse and sympathetic activation
• Neural exercises for creating resilience and psychological flexibility
• The power of utilizing autonomic imagery

• Establishing new autonomic patterns and behaviors in life
• Moving from intention to action
• Learning to engage the vagal brake

• Exercising and strengthening the social engagement system
• Learning to feel safety in connection
• The reciprocity equation
• Creating a personal connection plan

• Tracking the flow of a Polyvagal-guided session
• Polyvagal-guided assessment and treatment planning

• Introduction to Somatic Therapy:
  • Overview, goals, and importance in trauma treatment
• Understanding Trauma Disruption:
  • Pathology of maladaptive trauma storage
  • Emotional, sensory, and belief manifestations
  • Fragmentation and dissociation
  • Neural network reinforcement in unprocessed trauma
• Natural vs. Incomplete Stress Responses:
  • Key concepts of adaptive resolution vs. frozen trauma states

• Polyvagal Theory Basics:
  • Ventral vagal complex and its role in safety and connection
  • Hyperarousal vs. hypoarousal in trauma
• Head, heart, and gut “brains”
• Psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune system interrelation
• Neuroception: Recognize safety and danger
  • Create safety in therapy
  • Reduce hyperarousal and build trust
  • Prevent re-traumatization
• Emotional Regulation and Resilience:
  • Techniques to buffer stress and traumatic memories
  • Empower clients to take an active role in their healing journey
• Interoceptive Awareness: Develop self-awareness through bodily sensations

• Heart Coherence Understanding and Practice
• Core Somatic Practices:
  • Two-hand techniques
  • Mind-body awareness
  • Breathing exercises, body scans, and paired muscle relaxation
  • Gentle touch and heart-focused compassion practices
• The Science of Embodiment Practices:
  • Interoception, exteroception, and proprioception
  • Body awareness and empowerment through movement
  • William Reich’s body armor and belts of tension
• Somatic Trauma Processing:
  • Pendulation, titration, sequencing, and repatterning: Techniques for releasing stored trauma
  • Somatic Questions
  • Slow conscious movement and breathwork for release
  • Lack of body awareness and other issues

• Tailor techniques to individual client needs
• Integration in clinical practice and with other methodologies
• Potential risks and limitations
• Q&A and wrap-up: Recap and final questions

DBT Mindfulness Skills for Almost Any Client: Reduce Clients’ Stress, Increase Their Self-Awareness, and Help Them Regulate Emotions

• Mindful Breathing techniques to reduce stress and anxiety in your clients
• Present Moment exercises for awareness of thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations
• Urge Surfing techniques to help clients regulate intense urges and reduce impulsivity
• Non-judgmental Stance exercises to improve self-esteem and reduce interpersonal conflict

The Clinician’s Guide to ACT Mindfulness Interventions: 4 Top Tools for Clients to Manage Negative Thoughts and Build Resilience

• Mindful Acceptance for a non-judgmental attitude towards thoughts and emotions
• Defusion techniques to help clients distance themselves from negative thoughts
• Values Identification and Commitment for motivation and greater sense of purpose
• Self-compassion practices for improved self-esteem and resilience

Revitalize Trauma and Anxiety Treatment with Mindfulness: Complementary Techniques for Managing Triggers, Interrupting Anxiety and Reducing Avoidance

• Grounding exercises to manage triggers following traumatic experiences
• Body Scanning techniques for greater awareness of bodily sensations
• Mindful Breathing techniques to reduce physical tension and promote relaxation
• Power of the Pause exercise to slow automatic anxiety responses and increase sense of control
• Thought-Stopping techniques to interrupt and redirect anxiety-provoking thoughts
• Mindful Exposure and Response Prevention techniques to help clients reduce avoidance behaviors

Mindfulness for Grief and Loss: Help Clients Reflect, Accept, and Cultivate Gratitude for Healthier Grieving

• Mindful Reflection exercises for greater insight and acceptance following loss
• Techniques to develop non-judgmental attitudes towards grief-related thoughts
• Cultivating Gratitude to increase resilience and improve mood
• Compassionate Presence for improved emotional regulation and reduced distress

Strategies for Integrating Mindfulness Techniques into Clinical Practice

• Practical tips and strategies for integrating mindfulness techniques into your clinical work
• Case examples of mindfulness used in specific therapeutic scenarios
• Avoiding misapplication
• Addressing the needs of diverse populations and cultures
• Research risks and limitations of mindfulness-based interventions