The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma: Body-Based Activities to Regulate, Rebalance, and Rewire Your Nervous System Without Reliving the Trauma

by Arielle Schwartz

Whether you've suffered a single traumatic experience or faced repeated difficult life events, you can be left feeling hypervigilant, irritable, and disconnected. Most therapies for treating trauma require you to "revisit" your traumatic experience in potentially triggering ways. In this cutting-edge workbook, bestselling author and trauma expert Arielle Schwartz provides a practical, body-based method to help you treat your trauma symptoms—without reliving your trauma or being exposed to triggers.

The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma offers evidence-based activities to help you heal the effects of trauma, rewire your nervous system, and return to a state of balance and calm. You'll begin by getting to know your nervous system, including an exploration of polyvagal theory and the vagus nerve. You'll also learn soothing, body-based practices to help you rewire your nervous response, including rhythmic movements (EMDR and tapping), conscious breathing, mindful movement, and more. Self-reflection prompts will help you get the most out of every chapter, and a comprehensive collection of tools will help you stay on the path to trauma recovery.

You don't have to relive your trauma in order to heal. With this powerful workbook, you can take charge of your mental health, build resilience, and feel safer and more connected.

Genres: Self Help, Psychology, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Neuroscience

Audible Audio

Published May 13, 2025

About the author

Arielle Schwartz PhD is a clinical psychologist practicing in Boulder, Colorado.

Reviews

[Kate Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest working psychologists. I will read everything she writes.

[Cat Mansouri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is both a practical guide for understanding the nervous system and using techniques for supporting the body in healing from adverse experiences. I thought it was definitely interesting and helpful but a tad unrealistic as even if one finds them helpful the likelihood of applying these techniques is low.

[Wendy Gierhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always appreciate the resources by Arielle Schwartz and this one did not disappoint. Practical embodied wisdom with practices I can use with clients or for myself. A gentle path to embody self-compassion.