Polyvagal Theory

Body of Knowledge of Psychotraumatology

Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal Theory, developed by neuroscientist Stephen Porges, has significantly transformed contemporary understandings of trauma, emphasizing the critical role of the autonomic nervous system in trauma responses and healing (Porges, 2011). At its core, Polyvagal Theory provides a biological framework for understanding safety, danger, and life-threatening states, fundamentally reshaping how clinicians conceptualize and address trauma. Foundations

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapies and Models

Criteria for Evaluating Trauma Therapies

Selecting appropriate therapeutic interventions in psychotraumatology requires clearly defined criteria that ensure treatments are effective, clinically sound, ethically responsible, and culturally responsive. This section delineates the essential criteria used to evaluate and select trauma therapies, including empirical support, neurobiological coherence, and ethical and cultural considerations. 2.1 Empirical Support (Efficacy vs. Effectiveness) Evaluating the empirical support

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapies and Models

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR)

Deep Brain Reorienting (DBR), developed by psychiatrist Frank Corrigan, is a specialized trauma therapy explicitly designed to address deep-seated trauma impacts at the subcortical, neurophysiological level. DBR is particularly suitable for trauma marked by intense emotional and somatic dysregulation, chronic dissociation, and unresolved survival-based responses. Foundational Principles DBR is grounded in trauma neuroscience, specifically targeting

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapies and Models

Polyvagal Theory–Informed Therapies

Polyvagal Theory–Informed Therapies (PVTT) are trauma treatment approaches based on the polyvagal theory developed by Stephen Porges (2011, 2017). They integrate an understanding of the autonomic nervous system’s hierarchical responses to threat and safety into therapeutic interventions, aiming to restore nervous system flexibility, emotional regulation, and a sense of safety. Foundational Principles Polyvagal theory posits

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapies and Models

Somatic and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy

Somatic and Sensorimotor Psychotherapies represent trauma-informed approaches explicitly designed to engage and resolve trauma at the bodily level. These methodologies integrate principles of neuroscience, trauma theory, and somatic psychology to address physiological symptoms and somatic memory of trauma effectively. Foundational Principles Somatic psychotherapies view trauma as fundamentally embedded within the nervous system and body tissues,

Evidence-Based Trauma Therapies and Models

Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST)

Overview Trauma-Informed Stabilization Treatment (TIST), developed by Dr. Janina Fisher, is a phase-oriented, parts-based model designed for individuals with complex trauma, dissociation, and self-destructive behaviors. TIST blends structural dissociation theory, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and mindfulness into a practical, safety-first approach that helps clients develop internal stability before direct trauma processing. Foundational Principles Parts Work as Stabilization:

Neurobiology of Trauma

Applying Neurobiology Principles to Trauma Treatment

Rationale for Neurobiologically-Informed Therapy Understanding trauma as a neurobiological condition offers profound implications for therapeutic practice. First, it allows clinicians to reframe trauma-related symptoms not as signs of character pathology or weakness, but as predictable consequences of disrupted brain-body systems (van der Kolk, 2014). This reframing is inherently validating: survivors can begin to understand that

Neurobiology of Trauma

Autonomic Nervous System and Polyvagal Theory

Another crucial physiological component in trauma is the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which governs involuntary bodily functions and modulates states of arousal and rest. The ANS is divided into two primary branches: the sympathetic nervous system (associated with fight-or-flight responses) and the parasympathetic nervous system (linked to rest, digestion, and repair). Trauma causes profound dysregulation

The Triphasic Model for Treating Trauma

Phase One: Safety and Stabilization

Safety and stabilization constitute the essential first phase of trauma recovery, fundamentally shaping the effectiveness of all subsequent therapeutic interventions. Given trauma’s inherent nature—characterized by chaos, overwhelm, loss of control, and feelings of unsafety—establishing a secure foundation is a non-negotiable prerequisite for successful healing (Herman, 1992; Courtois & Ford, 2013). Primary Objectives: Establishing Physical, Emotional,

The Triphasic Model for Treating Trauma

Phase Three: Integration and Rehabilitation

After trauma memories have been safely processed and adaptively restructured, clients enter the Integration and Rehabilitation phase. This stage is crucial for translating therapeutic gains into sustainable changes, personal growth, and meaningful reintegration into daily life. 1. Integration of Processed Traumatic Experiences Core Objectives: Facilitate a coherent narrative that integrates traumatic experiences into a person's