Polyvagal-Informed Therapy for Trauma & Emotional Healing

Many individuals struggle with emotional regulation, and the science behind this challenge is deeply rooted in our nervous system. The autonomic nervous system, which governs our responses to stress and connection, can become dysregulated due to chronic stress, trauma, or unresolved emotional wounds. Research shows that trauma survivors often experience persistent activation of their fight-or-flight response, leading to heightened anxiety or dissociation. PMC Article

It is important to know that these responses are not a reflection of personal weakness or failure. They are natural survival mechanisms that, when understood and supported, can be shifted toward a state of balance. With a compassionate, science-backed approach like polyvagal-informed therapy, you can learn how to retrain your nervous system to support feelings of safety, connection, and emotional healing.

Polyvagal-informed therapy is rooted in understanding how the nervous system shapes our experiences of safety, connection, and emotional regulation. I integrate this approach into therapy by helping you recognize your unique nervous system patterns and develop strategies to support a state of calm and engagement. Choosing Therapy

Benefits of Polyvagal-Informed Therapy

• Reduce anxiety and stress by regulating your nervous system
• Improve emotional resilience and flexibility
• Heal from past trauma with a body-centered approach
• Strengthen relationships by fostering safety and connection
• Develop tools for self-regulation and mindfulness

During our sessions, we will explore how your body responds to stress and safety cues, identifying triggers that push you into states of fight, flight, or freeze. Through techniques such as breathwork, mindfulness, somatic experiencing, and co-regulation strategies, you will learn to move toward a more balanced nervous system state. This work can empower you to respond to life’s challenges with greater flexibility and resilience rather than feeling stuck in reactive patterns.

Additionally, polyvagal-informed therapy provides a framework for understanding how early attachment wounds and past relational experiences shape our current ability to connect and trust. If you have experienced developmental trauma or grew up in an environment where emotional safety was lacking, therapy can help you create new, healthier patterns of relating to yourself and others.

I have worked with many individuals who have felt overwhelmed by anxiety, trauma, or emotional instability, and I have seen firsthand how polyvagal-informed therapy can foster deep healing. With my support, you can begin to cultivate a sense of inner safety and move toward emotional well-being.

The polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how our nervous system shifts between states in response to perceived safety or danger. The three primary states include:

• Ventral Vagal (Safe and Social State): This is when we feel safe, connected, and able to engage in meaningful interactions.
• Sympathetic (Fight-or-Flight State): This state activates when we perceive a threat, leading to feelings of anxiety, fear, or aggression.
• Dorsal Vagal (Shutdown State): When stress is overwhelming, the body may enter a freeze response, leading to feelings of numbness, disconnection, or dissociation.

Understanding these states can help you recognize your own nervous system patterns and work toward increasing your ability to return to a state of calm and connection. Therapy can provide you with tools to regulate these responses and restore balance in your life.

How do I know if polyvagal-informed therapy is right for me?

Polyvagal-informed therapy is beneficial for individuals struggling with emotional dysregulation, trauma, anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. If you find yourself frequently overwhelmed by emotions or struggling to feel safe and connected, this approach can help you understand and regulate your nervous system responses.

What if I’ve tried therapy before, and it didn’t work?

Traditional talk therapy does not always address the nervous system’s role in emotional healing. Polyvagal-informed therapy goes beyond cognitive approaches to include body-based techniques that can create lasting change by targeting the root of dysregulation.

How long does it take to see progress?

Everyone’s healing journey is unique. Some clients notice shifts within a few sessions, while deeper healing may take longer. The goal is to create sustainable change by building a foundation of nervous system regulation, which can lead to lasting emotional resilience.

If you’re ready to break free from patterns of emotional distress and cultivate a sense of safety, I invite you to reach out for a free 20-minute consultation. This is a low-pressure opportunity to explore how polyvagal-informed therapy can support your healing journey. During our consultation, we will discuss your unique challenges, answer any questions you may have, and determine how this approach can help you move forward.

You deserve to feel safe, connected, and at ease in your own body. Schedule your FREE consultation today and take the first step toward a life of greater resilience, emotional balance, and well-being. Healing is possible, and I am here to support you every step of the way.

Sources:
Polyvagal Institute
Choosing Therapy
PMC Article

Related Articles:
Understanding Somatic Therapy for Trauma
How to Regulate Your Nervous System for Emotional Well-Being