Polyvagal Theory: What It Means
A clear explanation of polyvagal theory for therapists and clients, in accessible language and with context for your practice.
Dit artikel hoort bij: Somatic Concepts Explained: A Glossary for Therapists
What the Theory Essentially Says
The nervous system continuously scans whether the environment is safe, independent of conscious thought. When safety is perceived, we can connect and think clearly. When a threat is perceived, the body mobilizes (fight or flight). When faced with overwhelming threat without an escape, the system shifts to dorsal vagal: freezing or collapsing. Therapy helps the nervous system move flexibly between these states instead of getting stuck.
In Practice
In a session, you might notice this if your client talks about a conflict and suddenly becomes quieter, their breathing becomes shallow, or their gaze becomes glassy. This is not unwillingness, it is a dorsal shift. The work then is no longer about talking about the conflict, but inviting the nervous system to return to ventral through orientation, breathing, or co-regulation with you.
Common Misconception
The biggest mistake is seeing the three states as a hierarchy: ventral good, sympathetic okay, dorsal bad. All three are protective and appropriate in their context. Dorsal vagal has allowed us as a species to survive by becoming invisible to predators. The problem is not the state itself, but getting stuck in it.
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Veelgestelde vragen
Is polyvagal theory scientifically proven?
The biological basis (two branches of the vagus nerve) is widely accepted. Its applications in psychotherapy are evidence-informed, but less rigorously proven than, for example, cognitive behavioral therapy. It is a clinically workable model, not a scientific law.
How do I explain this to a client without jargon?
Avoid the term polyvagal in initial sessions. Talk about 'three states: on, off, and overdrive,' or describe what the client recognizes themselves: 'that moment you shut down' is dorsal, 'that moment your heart pounded' is sympathetic.
Which training programs use polyvagal theory?
Among others, Somatic Experiencing, NARM, Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, and parts of EMDR training refer to it. The Polyvagal Institute itself offers certification.