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Polyvagal in Practice

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March 1, 2027, 1:00 - 3:00pm CST
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $10 full members; $25 partial members and nonmembers
Continuing Education Hours: 2.0
Register

Course Description

Move beyond theory and discover how to implement Polyvagal principles in your daily practice. This interactive session will explore the practical application of understanding the ventral, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal states. Learn concrete strategies to help you and your clients identify their nervous system states, build vagal tone, and cultivate a greater sense of safety and connection in our lives and relationships.

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will understand the three organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory.
  • Participants will learn to recognize the different states of the Autonomic Nervous System, including the impacts of trauma.
  • Participants will learn about co-regulation and its role in working with our clients.
  • Participants will learn strategies to shift states effectively.

About the Trainer

Julia Smith, LMFT, Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified Yoga Therapist

Julia Smith, LMFT, Certified EMDR Therapist, Certified Yoga Therapist

I grew up on a small dairy farm in Door County and am licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My small mental health practice has grown into a group practice in Madison. I am a full time lecturer in the Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Edgewood University, where I graduated in 2004. I am an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Certified Yoga Therapist and EMDR certified therapist. I have always been a mover all my life. With my studies in yoga and working with kids on the spectrum I was introduced to the importance of movement and breathing as keys to regulation. What I have come to understand about myself was my movement practice was a way of trying to manage my emotions. I have seen first hand the benefits of co-regulation, sensory integration, and movement help my clients ground following EMDR and find better ways to cope. Additionally, I burned out of the mental health field earlier in my career. Those in the helping professions need tangible simple practices to care for themselves, to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.