Befriending the Nervous System: Applying Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Practice
A 4-hour Masterclass with Deb Dana
This live online masterclass is part of MINDinMIND’s Masterclass Series, where leading figures in mental health share their clinical expertise and insights.
Following our Legacy Interview with Stephen Porges and Sue Carter, many of you asked to hear more from Deb Dana about how Polyvagal Theory can be applied in therapeutic work. We are now pleased to offer this opportunity to learn directly from the clinician who has done more than anyone to translate Polyvagal Theory into therapeutic practice.
Deb Dana is a psychotherapist, author, and international trainer whose work has brought Polyvagal Theory into the heart of psychotherapy. She has worked closely with Stephen Porges over many years to develop accessible, practical ways of working with the nervous system. Her books, including The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy and Anchored, are widely used across clinical settings.
Deb will guide participants through a polyvagal-informed framework for working with the nervous system as a core organiser of experience. The session will include teaching, case discussion, experiential exercises and space for reflective integration.
The masterclass will be chaired by Jane O’Rourke, child and adolescent psychotherapist and founder of MINDinMIND.
Why Attend with MINDinMIND
At MINDinMIND, we do things differently. We are a team of experienced psychotherapists and former award-winning producers, combining clinical insight with editorial rigour. Every event we curate is designed to be clinically relevant, theoretically grounded, and accessible across disciplines.
This masterclass has been created not only for those already integrating body-based approaches, but also for those working within psychoanalytic and relational traditions. It offers a reflective, well-supported space to explore how insights from neuroscience and physiology can complement existing ways of thinking and practising.
What This Masterclass Will Cover
Participants will learn how to:
- Recognise and respond to autonomic states in therapy
- Map nervous system patterns to guide intervention
- Apply Polyvagal Theory in work with trauma, anxiety and relational difficulties
- Use co-regulation and cues of safety to support therapeutic connection
You will also gain experience in nervous system mapping and regulation through guided exercises.
This session is suitable for those seeking Polyvagal training for therapists, and will be especially valuable for those interested in nervous system regulation in psychotherapy.
Case Examples and Clinical Integration
Deb will utilise clinical case studies to illustrate how Polyvagal Theory can inform formulation, intervention and therapeutic presence.
Participants are invited to submit short case examples ahead of the session. A selection will be explored live, offering the opportunity to see polyvagal-informed reflections applied in real time.
Who Is This For?
This training is suitable for:
- Psychotherapists, psychoanalysts and psychiatrists
- Counsellors and psychologists
- Mental health professionals working with children, adolescents or adults
- Those in trauma-informed, somatic or relational roles
Whether you are new to Polyvagal Theory or looking to deepen your practice, this masterclass offers a clinically rich and accessible introduction to working with the nervous system.
Session Format
- Friday 5th September 2025 – 2.00-6.00pm UK / 9.00am-1.00pm ET
- Live online via Zoom
- Duration: 4 hours, including a short break
- Recording available to all ticket holders
- CPD certificate included
Includes teaching, experiential practice, clinical discussion, course reading materials from Deb and Q&A.
The Masterclass will be chaired by Jane O’Rourke, founder of MINDinMIND and Child, Adolescent and Family Psychotherapist, who will guide the session and host the live Q&A.
Pricing
- Standard Ticket: £78
- Group Booking: contact us
FAQs
Will I receive a CPD certificate?
Yes, a digital CPD certificate will be sent to all attendees after the event.
Do I need prior knowledge of Polyvagal Theory?
No. The session is accessible to those new to the theory, and will also offer fresh clinical perspectives for those already familiar with it.
Will the session be recorded?
Yes. The full session recording will be available to all ticket holders after the event.
Interviewed by Jane O'Rourke
Jane O'Rourke is a Child, Adolescent and Family Psychotherapist, broadcaster and Founder of MINDinMIND.
Through the MINDinMIND Legacy Interview Series, Jane records extended conversations with major figures in psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, attachment, trauma and developmental science, exploring not only their theories but the lives, clinical encounters, relationships and intellectual influences through which those ideas developed.
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