Polyvagal theory provides a new understanding of normal and atypical behavior, mental health disorders, and chronic illness. By incorporating an evolutionary perspective, it explains how the regulation of autonomic function forms the neural “platform” upon which social behavior and the development of trusting relationships are based. Discover how experiences of abuse and trauma may retune our nervous system to respond to friends, caregivers, and teachers as if they were enemies. Learn how signals of safety reverse these challenges.

OBJECTIVES

• Describe how autonomic regulation is linked to mental health, behavioral problems, learning processes, and sociality. 

• Explain how deficits in the regulation of the social engagement system relate to the core features of several behavioral and psychiatric disorders.

• Discuss how a neural process, neuroception, evaluates risk in the environment and triggers adaptive neural circuits to promote either social interactions or defensive behaviors. 

Stephen Porges, PhD is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University and professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina. He has published 400+ peer‐reviewed scientific papers, created the Polyvagal Theory and a music-based intervention (Safe and Sound Protocol™).  He is co-creator of Polyvagal Music, co-author with Seth Porges of Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Danger Change Us and a founder of the Polyvagal Institute.