On this special episode of Pathways, Dr. Elizabeth Meeker is joined by Jan Winhall, a therapist and expert in trauma and addiction, for a discussion on Polyvagal Theory and embodied approaches to healing trauma.
Key topics of this episode include:
- Polyvagal theory and different nervous system states (ventral, sympathetic, dorsal)
- The importance of creating psychological safety in therapeutic relationships
- Understanding addiction as a nervous system regulation strategy
- Reframing trauma responses as adaptive survival mechanisms
- The role of body-based practices in healing trauma