Source Text
Trauma compromises our ability to engage with others by replacing patterns of connection with patterns of protection. If unresolved, these early adaptive survival responses become habitual autonomic patterns. Therapy through a polyvagal lens, supports clients in repatterning the ways their autonomic nervous systems operate when the drive to survive competes with the longing to connect with others.
Polyvagal Theory gives therapists a neurophysiological framework to consider the reasons why people act in the ways they do. Through a polyvagal lens, we understand that actions are automatic and adaptive, generated by the autonomic nervous system well below the level of conscious awareness. This is not the brain making a cognitive choice. These are autonomic energies moving in patterns of protection. And with this new awareness, the door opens to compassion.
Helping clients appreciate the protective intent of their autonomic responses begins to reduce the shame and self-blame that trauma survivors so often feel. When offered the lens of Polyvagal Theory, clients become curious about the cues of safety and danger their nervous systems are sensing and begin to understand their responses as courageous survival responses that can be held with compassion.
Neuroception precedes perception. Story follows state. Through a polyvagal framework, the important question “What happened?” is explored not to document the details of an event but to learn about the autonomic response. The clues to a client’s present-time suffering can be found in their autonomic response history.
The goal of therapy is to engage the resources of the ventral vagus to recruit the circuits that support the prosocial behaviors of the Social Engagement System (Porges, 2009a, 2015a). The Social Engagement System is our “face-heart” connection, created from the linking of the ventral vagus (heart) and the striated muscles in our face and head that control how we look (facial expressions), how we listen (auditory), and how we speak (vocalization) (Porges, 2017a). In our interactions it is through the Social Engagement System that we send and search for cues of safety. In both the therapy setting and the therapy session, creating the conditions for a physiological state that supports an active Social Engagement System is a necessary element. “If we are not safe, we are chronically in a state of evaluation and defensiveness” (Porges, 2011b, p. 14). It is a ventral vagal state and a neuroception of safety that bring the possibility for connection, curiosity, and change. A polyvagal approach to therapy follows the four R’s: • Recognize the autonomic state. • Respect the adaptive survival response. • Regulate or co-regulate into a ventral vagal state. • Re-story.
The vagus is divided into two parts: the ventral vagal path-way and the dorsal vagal pathway. The ventral vagal pathway responds to cues of safety and supports feelings of being safely engaged and socially connected. In contrast, the dorsal vagal
pathway responds to cues of extreme danger. It takes us out of connection, out of awareness, and into a protective state of collapse. When we feel frozen, numb, or “not here,” the dorsal vagus has taken control. Dr. Porges identified a hierarchy of response built into our autonomic nervous system and anchored in the evolutionary development of our species. The origin of the dorsal vagal pathway of the parasympathetic branch and its immobilization response lies with our ancient vertebrate ancestors and is the oldest pathway. The sympathetic branch and its pattern of mobilization, was next to develop. The most recent addition, the ventral vagal pathway of the parasympathetic branch brings patterns of social engagement that are unique to mammals.
Daily Movements on the Ladder Now that we’ve explored each of the places on the autonomic ladder, let’s consider how we move up and down. Our preferred place is at the top of the ladder. As the song “I Can See Clearly Now” (written by Johnny Nash) says, “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind.” The ventral vagal state is hopeful and resourceful. We can live, love, and laugh by ourselves and with others.
CHAPTER 1 SAFETY, DANGER, AND LIFE-THREAT: ADAPTIVE RESPONSE PATTERNS We are more alike my friends than we are unalike. —MAYA ANGELOU
If we think of trauma as Robert Macy (president of the International Trauma Center) defined it, “an overwhelming demand placed upon the physiological human system,” then we immediately consider the autonomic nervous system. Whether an isolated traumatic incident or recurring traumatic events, trauma and the autonomic nervous system are linked. Without ongoing opportunities for people to be anchored in systems of safety and to appropriately exercise the neural circuits of activation and inhibition, the ability of their autonomic nervous systems to engage, disengage, and reengage efficiently is impaired.
AI Summary
The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy by Deb A. Dana presents key insights from the contemplative tradition. The 10 passages above capture the essential teachings.
Core Themes:
- [To be expanded]
Key Passages: Highlights 1, 3, and 10 are particularly representative.
This entry was generated from Readwise highlights. Expand with additional context as appropriate.