Listening through the lens of Polyvagal Theory
Hearing the Embodied Story
Deb Dana, LCSWdebdanalcsw.com
rhythmofregulation.com
DDP International Conference September 10, 2019
Aut
onom
ic S
tate
Story
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
The Autonomic Nervous System is…
• the platform for our lived experience
• our internal surveillance system
• a biological resource
• where our stories begin
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
The ANS is always listening…Neural Surveillance
How do we learn to listen and use the information for wellbeing?
Neural Navigation
How do we create the right degree of neural challenge to stretch and
not stress the system?Neural Exercise
The ANS tells us not what we are or who we are but how we are… copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org1 9 SEPT 2019
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019 copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
The Three Organizing Principles of Polyvagal Theory
1. Neuroception - detection without awareness
2. Hierarchy - three predictable pathways of response
Ventral Vagal
Sympathetic Nervous System
Dorsal Vagal
3. Co-regulation - a biological imperative
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
NeuroceptionDetection without Awareness
Neuroception describes the way the autonomic nervous system takes in information without involving the thinking parts of the brain.
Neuroception responds to cues of safety and danger:
• inside the body
• outside in the environment
• between peoplecopyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org2 9 SEPT 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org3 9 SEPT 2019
When there is a neuroceptive match…
…neuroception is appropriate for the situation and the autonomic state will bring the energy necessary to effectively manage the experience.
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org4 9 SEPT 2019
With a neuroceptive mismatch…
Inability to calm defense systems in safe environments Autonomic nervous system activates a habitual protective
response pattern — hypervigilant - alarmed
Inability to activate defense systems in risk environments Neuroception does not signal danger when there is actual danger; autonomic response is inadequate to manage the
situation — dulled, unaware or high risk-takingcopyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
• Bring perception to neuroception
• Add discernment
In this moment, in this place, with these people…
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
parasympathetic dorsal vagal sympathetic
parasympathetic ventral vagal
safe and socialconnected
immobilizeddisconnected
mobilizedfight and flight
500 million years ago 400 million years ago 200 million years ago
Hierarchy Three distinct pathways each working “in service of survival”.
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
Parasympathetic Dorsal Vagal“old” vagus
Parasympathetic Ventral Vagal“new” vagus
Sympathetic Nervous System
DANGER — System of Mobilization
SAFE — System of Safety and Connection
LIFE-THREAT — System of Immobilization
Health, Growth, and Restoration
Adaptive Protection through action
Adaptive Protection through “disappearing”
Aggression or active escape
Individual and interactive regulation
Biological conservation of energy and resources
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org5 9 SEPT 2019
The Autonomic Ladder
Neuroception of safetysocial
engaged connected
Neuroception of danger mobilized
action takingfight and flight
Neuroception of life-threat immobilized shut downcollapsed
Ventral Vagal
Sympathetic
Dorsal Vagal
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
From a state of protection, (mobilization or disconnection) survival is the only goal. Adaptive survival responses close the system to connection and to change.
From a state of connection, (social engagement) health, growth, and restoration are possible.
Emergent Properties
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
safely embodied
co-regulate
self-regulate
connect to self, others, the world, spirit
acknowledge distress
explore options
reach out for/offer support
resourced and resourceful
Newest Evolutionary Circuit - Ventral Vagal
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
mobilize to survive
move into fight and flight
feel out of sync with other people
driven to get needs met
alarmed
hypervigilant
misread cues
listen for sounds of danger
sacrifice social engagement for survival
The Sympathetic Response
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org6 9 SEPT 2019
withdraw
shut down
collapse
become foggy, numb
go through the motions without awareness
disconnect from self, others, the world, spiritfeel lost, abandoned, invisible
disappear into a state of not knowing, not feeling, not being
Earliest Evolutionary Circuit - Dorsal Vagal
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous SystemVentral Vagus
Parasympathetic Nervous SystemDorsal Vagus
navigate the world with safety and flexibilityexplore optionssee possibilitiesconnectcreate
regulate blood flow and heart rateenergize to meet the demands of the daymobilize in playmove with passion
digest restrestore
Ventral Vagal Oversees the System All Systems Online
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous SystemVentral Vagus
Parasympathetic Nervous SystemDorsal Vagus
experience a sense of uneaselose cognitive abilities move out of social engagementmobilize for fight and flightmay enter into ‘deer in the headlights’ freezefeel the effects of cortisol and adrenaline
Sympathetic Nervous System Takes Over
system offline
digestion out of balance
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Ventral Vagus
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Dorsal Vagus
system offline
Dorsal Vagal System in Charge
zone outshut downdissociatedisappearfreeze with collapsesuffer with digestive problems
system offline
copyright Deb D
ana, LCSW
2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org7 9 SEPT 2019
Ventral Vagal
Safe
Connected
Sympathetic
Mobilized
Fight - Flight
Dorsal Vagal
Immobilized
Collapsed
The Personal Profile Map The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation (Norton, 2018)
The world is…
The world is…
The world is…
I am…
I am…
I am…
My ventral vagal state comes alive when…
My sympathetic system activates when…
My dorsal vagal state pulls me when…
Emergent Properties
• The autonomic nervous system doesn’t assign motivation or make moral meaning.
• What is biologically possible?
• What are the behaviors and stories that are supported from each state?
• What are the behaviors and stories that are not supported from each state?
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
The drive to survive
The longing to connect
Co-RegulationIs it safe to connect?
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
The autonomic nervous system is shaped and regulated through interactions with others.
The autonomic nervous system SENDS and SEARCHES FOR cues of safety or danger
The cues sent from one system to another either:
co-regulate and create new possibilities
increase reactivity and reinforce survival responses
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org8 9 SEPT 2019
Five cranial nerves joined in the search for connection through our…
eyes
ears
voice
face and head movements
Used with permission: copyright Kate White ppncenter.com copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
Look
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org9 9 SEPT 2019
Listen
The auditory pathway can be the portal when eye gaze is too much.
In the environment: What are your sounds of safety?
In relationship: What are your sounds of friendship?
Find your VV sound…Add reciprocity and share your VV sound…
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org10 9 SEPT 2019
rigid/stuck flexible/resilient
cues of danger cues of safety
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
Cues of Safety and Danger More cues of danger than safety
• survival responses activate• stuck in a story• closed to change• dis-ease
More cues of safety than danger• ready for connection• new stories emerge• change is possible • health, growth restoration
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
What is the autonomic nervous system saying?
When someone is labeled: demanding, difficult, needy, non-compliant
easy, never causes any trouble, quiet
not interested, isn’t trying hard enough
always does what they’re asked to do/told
doesn’t really want to change
could do it if they wanted to
likes being a trouble makercopyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
Neuroception
Perception StateFeelings
Behavior
Story
Where do you enter in?
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org11 9 SEPT 2019
“Earth will be safe when we feel in us enough safety.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
A healing environment is a safe environment.
Create a healing environment by listening to your ANS.
copyright Deb Dana, LCSW 2019
2019 DDP International Conference www.DDPNetwork.org12 9 SEPT 2019