Polyvagal Safety: Attachment, Communication, Self-Regulation

by Stephen W. Porges

The foundational role of safety in our lives. Ever since publication of The Polyvagal Theory in 2011, demand for information about this innovative perspective has been constant. Here Stephen W. Porges brings together his most important writings since the publication of that seminal work. At its heart, polyvagal theory is about safety. It provides an understanding that feeling safe is dependent on autonomic states, and that our cognitive evaluations of risk in the environment, including identifying potentially dangerous relationships, play a secondary role to our visceral reactions to people and places. Our reaction to the continuing global pandemic supports one of the central concepts of polyvagal theory: that a desire to connect safely with others is our biological imperative. Indeed, life may be seen as an inherent quest for safety. These ideas, and more, are outlined in chapters on therapeutic presence, group psychotherapy, yoga and music therapy, autism, trauma, date rape, medical trauma, and COVID-19.

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, Health, Science, Nonfiction, Social Work, Audiobook

320 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2021

Reviews

[Morgan Blackledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polyvegal Theory (PT) is an evolutionarily grounded, neuroscientific and psychological construct that explains the role of the vagus nerve in mammalian threat response and emotion regulation via social connection (co-regulation) initially introduced by Stephen Porges in 1994.

This book is a compendium of articles written by Stephen Porges and numerous other researchers.

If you’re new to PT, I don’t recommend starting with this one. I would start with:

The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory by Stephen W. Porges.

Read my review if it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Anyway.

This is a good (not great) book.

I’m giving it 4/5 stars.

That being said.

PT is fantastic stuff.

Particularly if you’re a therapist.

And this is a terrific book if you’re (a) already a little familiar with PT, and (b) curious to learn more.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Porges may be the most important medical theorist of our time. This is his follow up to his original text, "The Polyvagal Theory". In the intervening decades Porges has integrated the clinical implications of his foundational theory and this textbook refines his theoretical propositions and covers various applications of his theory. In "Polyvagal Safety", Porges outlines his evolutionary argument that the myelinated ventral vagal system evolved from the reptilian dorsal vagal system, allowing mammals to experience safety while in the company of their own kind. This remarkable system is hierarchically organized to contain the sympathetic system (active threat response) and the dorsal vagal system (freeze response) and to allow for social engagement and attunement, the heart of our interpersonal neurobiology. And when I say heart, Porges goes on to reinforce the bidirectional aspect of the autonomic nervous system and how our organs provide feedback to our central nervous system as opposed to classic view of the brain as the sole organ of perception. Porges provides resources for fine tuning our autonomic nervous system and analyzing the data of our cardiovascular system and continues to a rich resouruce for our ongoing investigations of this complex system of which he has been a stalwart pioneer and explorer. The debt we owe to Stephen Porges may only be apprehended over the coming decades as his theory provides the structure for future exploration and transformation of our understanding of health care and mental health care and the interconnections of the two. Chapters of this book discuss the implications of Polyvagal theory for spiritual practice, mindfulness, somatic therapy, yoga, play based therapies and interventions for autism and sensory sensitivities.

[Kirby Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a bit of a slog to get through but really worth it. Polyvagal theory is discussed at length in language similar to the framing of a meta-analysis. It is later explained through vignettes of studies in varying arenas, such as overlap with yoga practice, safety during a pandemic, autonomic healing in counseling. Some chapters were more helpful than others, but a blanketed redundancy helped familiarize my self with technical medical terms. It is not the most practical and accessible for counselors looking to up there game, but an imaginative read will bear fruit. Not the best audiobook read….

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating but a little dense at times

[AKMENTINA · Rating 4 out of 5]

For you are a slave to whatever controls you.
— 2 Peter 2:19

I firmly believe that religion, at least in the form we know it today, would not exist, nor would it have been able to impose its control and version of reality on our civilization for so long, had we possessed a comprehensive understanding of the human mind and body.

For centuries, we have focused on the strength and discipline of the mind as the primary force shaping the quality of our inner lives and our existence as a whole. However, Polyvagal Theory offers an answer to the age-old question of why we sometimes struggle to align our behavior with our values and goals. By understanding how the body and mind can essentially become captives of the nervous system, we unlock a powerful new insight into ourselves and others—a true superpower.

On that note, I’m glad I had the opportunity to read other works prior to this one. In comparison, Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us feels more personal and intimate, whereas Polyvagal Safety is filled with dense theory and offers fewer practical, real-life examples of how Polyvagal Theory can be applied to improve everyday life.

I wonder if Stephen W. Porges will choose to delve further into exploring the freeze response that sometimes overtakes the human body in life-threatening situations. Given how polyvagal theory has so eloquently illuminated the intricacies of our nervous system, revealing that its reactions are far from coincidental, perhaps we should also consider this when it comes to the nervous system’s choice between the fight or freeze response.

[Mark]

https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324016...

Contents
Introduction: An Embedded History of a New Science
1. Neurocardiology Through the Lens of the Polyvagal Theory : Stephen W. Porges and Jacek Kolacz
2. Polyvagal Theory: A Biobehavioral Journey to Sociality : Stephen W. Porges
3. Play as a Neural Exercise: Insights From the Polyvagal Theory : Stephen W. Porges
4. Vagal Pathways: Portals to Compassion : Stephen W. Porges
5. Yoga Therapy and Polyvagal Theory: The Convergence of Traditional Wisdom and Contemporary Neuroscience for Self-Regulation and Resilience : Marlysa B. Sullivan, Matt Erb, Laura Schmalzl, Steffany Moonaz, Jessica Noggle Taylor, and Stephen W. Porges
6. Mindfulness-Based Movement: A Polyvagal Perspective : Alexander R. Lucas, Heidi D. Klepin, Stephen W. Porges, and W. Jack Rejeski
7. Group Psychotherapy as a Neural Exercise: Bridging Polyvagal Theory and Attachment Theory : Philip J. Flores and Stephen W. Porges
8. Neural Mechanisms Underlying Human–Animal Interaction: An Evolutionary Perspective : C. Sue Carter and Stephen W. Porges
9. Therapeutic Presence: Neurophysiological Mechanisms Mediating Feeling Safe in Therapeutic Relationships : Shari M. Geller and Stephen W. Porges
10. Play and the Dynamics of Treating Pediatric Medical Trauma: Insights From Polyvagal Theory : Stephen W. Porges and Stuart Daniel
11. Brain–Body Connection May Ease Autistic People’s Social Problems : Stephen W. Porges
12. Reducing Auditory Hypersensitivities in Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Preliminary Findings Evaluating the Listening Project Protocol : Stephen W. Porges, Olga V. Bazhenova, Elgiz Bal, Nancy Carlson, Yevgeniya Sorokin, Keri J. Heilman, Edwin H. Cook, and Gregory F. Lewis
13. The Significance of Stillness : Stephen W. Porges and Denise Winn
14. The COVID-19 Pandemic Is a Paradoxical Challenge to Our Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective : Stephen W. Porges
Appendix: Polyvagal Theory: A Primer
Credits
Index

[Elvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think this book is for people who want to learn how to regulate their nervous system. It was a miss for me since the title was appealing, but the content was very dense and scientific and I didn't catch anything helpful for me personally. I think it's meant for professionals and those doing scientific research, or if this is your special interest. Some helpful audio was mentioned for auditory sensitivities but that also is only available for professionals like the words in this book. I give 4 stars because I don't wanna scew the rating just because my dumbass was too lazy to read beyond the title before purchasing. I'm open to book recommendations for nervous system regulation for dummies (bonus points if it changed your life) 🤡

[Ashley Chesnut · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very technical, but if you want to know the science of polyvagal theory, it’s helpful. If you want more practical applications of polyvagal theory, read Deb Dana’s books.

Also, depending on the reason for reading, you don’t have to read every chapter. They don’t build on each other, which is why the book is so repetitive. The interview chapter is a good overview of the premise of polyvagal theory.

His research on the polyvagal system and autism is fascinating and hopeful.

Also, you don’t have to agree with Porges on the origin of our polyvagal system to agree with its function, presence, and influence for us as humans. (He roots the origin story of our polyvagal system in mammalian evolution; thus, to Porges, our dorsal response is the original reptilian system.)

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid overview of the physiological aspects of polyvagal theory by the discoverer himself.

[Juliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Difficult read, but all worth it.

[Letecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened a third time preparing my nervous system for 2023