Course Description

This course examines how Polyvagal Theory has transformed the way many mental health professionals understand trauma, attachment, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. The theory provides a neurobiological framework for understanding how the autonomic nervous system continuously evaluates cues of safety and danger and organizes behavioral, emotional, and physiological responses. Rather than viewing symptoms solely as pathology, Polyvagal Theory helps clinicians conceptualize many client behaviors as adaptive survival strategies shaped by nervous system functioning.  This course translates Polyvagal Theory into practical clinical applications for therapists working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families. Participants will explore the neurobiology of safety, threat detection, trauma, attachment, and autonomic regulation while learning evidence-informed strategies for assessment, case conceptualization, and intervention. The course emphasizes practical techniques including grounding, orienting, breathwork, somatic awareness, co-regulation, and vagal activation that can be integrated into everyday clinical practice This is a NBCC and Florida Board Approved course for 3 CE hours.

 Please review the course materials prior to purchasing the course. Often, individuals will print a copy of the course worksheet to complete while they view the course material. Once you are ready to complete the course, please enroll in the course and complete the course requirements, including the course post-test and course survey. You will receive your certificate automatically for printing or downloading after achieving an 80% or higher on the post-test and completing the course survey. 

Applying Polyvagal Theory in Clinical Practice Course Text.pdf

Applying Polyvagal Theory in Clinical Practice Course Worksheet.pdf

Course Author:  Bryan Glazier, PhD, LMFT, LMHC, FL Qualified MHC/MFT Supervisor 

Course Time/Location: 3 CE Hours, Location: www.directceu.com (web-based, asynchronous/home study) 

Course Text: Applying Polyvagal Theory in Clinical Practice by Bryan Glazier, PhD, LMFT, LMHC

Course Board Approval Statement(s): NBCC, Florida Board Approved

Directceu, llc has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7411. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

directceu, llc (BAP # 50-17578) is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. directceu, llc maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

 Financial Disclosure Statement

directceu, llc is committed to providing our professional colleagues with unbiased information. directceu does not accept commercial support and our course authors have no significant financial interests or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.

Learning Objectives:

Through the completion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the fundamental principles of Polyvagal Theory and explain the role of the autonomic nervous system in emotional regulation and adaptive survival responses. 
  2. Differentiate the characteristics of ventral vagal regulation, sympathetic activation, and dorsal vagal shutdown and recognize their presentation in clinical practice. 
  3. Explain the neurobiological mechanisms underlying trauma, attachment, neuroception, stress physiology, and nervous system regulation. 
  4. Assess clients using a Polyvagal-informed framework, including identification of nervous system states, triggers, protective strategies, and treatment targets. 
  5. Apply evidence-informed Polyvagal interventions, including grounding, orienting, breathing exercises, somatic awareness, co-regulation, and vagal activation techniques. 
  6. Integrate Polyvagal Theory with established evidence-based therapies, including CBT, DBT, ACT, EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and somatic approaches. 
  7. Evaluate ethical, cultural, professional, and telehealth considerations when incorporating Polyvagal-informed interventions into psychotherapy. 
  8. Develop individualized treatment plans that promote autonomic flexibility, resilience, and long-term nervous system regulation across diverse clinical populations.

 

Course Syllabus:

I.  Foundations of Polyvagal Theory

  1. Origins and development of Polyvagal Theory 
  2. Evolutionary foundations 
  3. The autonomic nervous system 
  4. Neuroception and the Polyvagal hierarchy 

 II.  Neurobiology of Safety and Survival

  1. Brain structures involved in regulation 
  2. The stress response system 
  3. Interpersonal neurobiology 
  4. Neuroplasticity and recovery 

 III. Trauma, Attachment, and Nervous System Regulation

  1. Trauma through a Polyvagal lens 
  2. Acute and chronic trauma 
  3. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 
  4. Attachment styles and co-regulation 

 IV.  Polyvagal-Informed Assessment and Treatment Planning

  1. Nervous system assessment 
  2. State identification 
  3. Case conceptualization 
  4. Treatment planning 

 V.  Practical Polyvagal Interventions

  1. Grounding and orienting 
  2. Breath-based interventions 
  3. Somatic awareness 
  4. Movement and vagal activation 
  5. Resource development 
  6. Clinical scripts and session examples 

 VI.  The Therapeutic Relationship and Co-Regulation

  1. Therapist presence 
  2. Therapeutic attunement 
  3. Rupture and repair 
  4. Countertransference, burnout, and compassion fatigue

 VII. Applications Across Clinical Populations

  1. Anxiety disorders 
  2. Depression and dorsal vagal shutdown 
  3. PTSD and Complex PTSD 
  4. Substance use disorders 
  5. Children and adolescents 
  6. Couples and family therapy 

 VIII.  Integrating Polyvagal Theory into Evidence-Based Practice

  1. Integration with CBT 
  2. DBT 
  3. ACT 
  4. Internal Family Systems (IFS) 
  5. EMDR 
  6. Somatic therapies 

 IX. Ethical, Cultural, and Professional Considerations

  1. Scope of competence 
  2. Informed consent 
  3. Evidence-informed practice 
  4. Cultural responsiveness 
  5. Telehealth adaptations 
  6. Therapist self-care 

 X.  Case Studies, Clinical Integration, and Future Directions

  1. Clinical case applications 
  2. Treatment planning 
  3. Emerging research 
  4. Scientific debate 
  5. Clinical takeaways and implementation strategies