Right around 16 minutes, great comment about being aware as a therapist what just happened for you and letting your client know so that they don't "create their own story" about what may appear to be a lack of interest or caring. I find myself occasionally giving this sort of feedback with people in everyday conversation, because as an HSP I am hyper-aware at times of how I am coming across, and generally people look at me like I am crazy for clarifying my own "nerv-ous" state for them. Most people are not consciously aware of subtle cues, or don't give them much thought, apparently. I don't know about how the deeper processing works for different temperaments. I have had a couple of counselors whom I feel picked up on my feelings of distress, were affected by it (as I would think a sentient, sensitive person would be) and then blamed me for making them feel that way, or labeled my experience in a way that fit a narrative they were comfortable with. Not helpful! I wish every counselor or therapist could have training in polyvagal theory.
This was so helpful! It helped me understand what happened to me starting like 7 months ago and I’m finally coming out of it. I didn’t understand why my mind made up stories, a kind of “fake news” if you will trying to make sense of my collapsed nervous system. I’ve been loving the worse case of disassociation so awful I couldn’t even feel connected to my own family. I lost joy, became numb, confused, angry sometimes spontaneously fright filled. It’s been awful but this video really helped me so much. I am seeing a therapist. And she is helping. But I feel like I have learned so much here.
I appreciate the way the conversation here was understandable for a non therapist. As someone who has a hard time self regulating and is prone to dysregulation, I'd love to purchase this book! Thank you so much.
I’m loving this. This understanding. Of self and others, and thinking in this time of isolation, of the people I go to for coregulation. Also, watching Durrells in Corfu for second time, for coregulation through tv/film in this time of isolation. And this YT as well. 80% body to brain!!! That’s HUGE! Thank you for all these important insights! So much going on in this world can put us in Dorsal Vagal and keep us there, without self-regulation!
Wonderful interview. Thank you. Gives me more insight into the Polyvagal theory and how I can actively use what I understand in working with clients with shiatsu bodywork. Interestingly enough, the I can see the basic principles of shiatsu in alignment with the organizing principles of PVT. The first principle being to center oneself in order to be in touch with oneself and be present and aware for the client...ties in with co-regulation of a therapist being in ventral vagal to help the client move into that state. I can also see how PVT is applicable in daily life with friends, family and community members, and of course with my relationship to myself. Bringing myself up the ladder to ventral vagal states helps others up the ladder...I believe actions aligned with this concept are the steps in the process of the evolution of human consciousness. When we are at the top of the ladder we can engage compassionately...this is world peace in action. I love the quote Dana shared that Porges said, "Benevolence is the active, ongoing use of ventral vagal energy in service of healing." and how she summed up that "What is good for us is good for the world." I whole-heartedly (ventral vagal activatedly) agree!
What a gorgeous human! Thank you for this interview, Deirdre. I'm so grateful you got Deb on video and shared her with us. She has SUCH an accessible way of sharing Polyvagal and such a heartwarming way of being. As do you! SO many nuggets of gold in here. Thank you so much.
Thank you so much for this clear, delicious, affirming description of vagus theory. Have worked with vagus nerve in Donny Epstein NSA, Somato Respiratory Integration, and this gives me whole new deeper world of access. I feel my body breathing and nodding and thanking you for your understanding as you both interact. With much gratitiude.
It sounds like the process you go through in mediatation that monks discribe, where they open up and become more compassionate and understanding and feel connected to everything. And meditation does affect the vagal nerve. Also you start to detach from all the negative ego stories and start seeing the world in a different way as far as I understand it.
Thank you for the interview. Can you please clear up the following point though... Deb says therapists can 'help their clients up the ladder' and that they can 'help clients regulate with us', however earlier in the interview she says that we have 'no choice' and that the 'nervous system takes us wherever'. This sounds contradictory to me and I'd be grateful for further explanation here...thanks
pinkfrost I think she means you don’t have a choice as in it’s an automatic response however if you coregulate with someone in ventral vagal it can calm your system and bring you further ‘up the ladder’ to ventral. I find stroking dogs and particularly puppies helps me :-)
The thing the nervous system dictates is what we’re capable of in any given state - e.g., can’t do rational thought in sympathetic/dorsal (and it’s not personal failure/laziness on the part of the individual, their nervous system dictates what they can and can’t do while in that state and they can’t change that by trying harder). But they can help themselves (or be helped) to move “up the ladder” into a different vagal state - that’s self- or co-regulation, and when they move into a different state, their nervous system will be capable of facilitating other behaviours.
It's all about regulation, if you are in a dis regulated state you need to be regulated and your regulation can effect others and yours can effect others, whether it be positive or negative. So regulation awareness and tools to move to calm regulation is key.
This is fantastic. I have a podcast on the subject of empathy...discussing the psychological, neurological, biological and spiritual elements. PVT seems to mesh well with this subject. Are you familiar of any studies or books on PVT and empathy?
alida roe the Vagal system is the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is fight or flight. They are both parts of the autonomic nervous system (but two different nervous systems). The parasympathetic side has both the ventral and dorsal vagal parts
Help to feel safe inside of a counseling session does what to undo decades of trauma-caused disregulation when confronted with real threats in the outside world? NOTHING when it counts the most.
@@RunItPastMeBangalow I understand the point you're making, but I am actually under real threat on a fairly regular basis by a couple of psycho neighbors and their flying monkeys. I know the next response is likely "well then just move".... Except that I've spent my life moving and moving and moving - almost always to get away from bullies: thanks to the early trauma, I have had a massive neon sign over my head that only predators can see. Still in a decades long battle to learn how to set and maintain healthy boundaries...
21:57 I'm not judging... Je ne juge pas, je ne dis pas vous ne devriez pas ne être la où vous êtes.. je suis là, posée, ancrée dans mon vagal ventral et avec vous. Et vous le sentez vous sentez (dans votre corps) la confiance en mon système, ce qui vous ramène vers le ventral.
