Polyvagal Informed Therapy: Integrating Somatic Art for Nervous System Healing
Understanding Polyvagal Informed Therapy
Polyvagal Informed Therapy is a therapeutic approach grounded in Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, which explains how our autonomic nervous system influences emotional regulation, social engagement, and our ability to heal from stress and trauma. It provides a framework for understanding how the body responds to safety and threat, offering tools to move toward regulation and resilience.
Polyvagal Theory identifies three key nervous system states: the ventral vagal state (connection and safety), the sympathetic state (fight or flight), and the dorsal vagal state (shutdown and disconnection). Recognizing these states allows therapists to help clients shift toward greater nervous system regulation.
The Three Nervous System States of Polyvagal Theory
Ventral Vagal State: Safety and Connection
In the ventral vagal state, we feel safe, connected, and socially engaged. This is where we experience ease, curiosity, and the ability to form meaningful relationships. When in this state, our body functions optimally—our breath is deep, digestion flows smoothly, and we feel present and grounded.
Somatic art therapy can be a powerful way to strengthen this state. Creative expression encourages self-exploration and connection, reinforcing a sense of safety and playfulness. When we engage in creative movement, drawing, or expressive arts, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to solidify a felt sense of regulation.
Sympathetic State: Fight or Flight
When we perceive a threat, our nervous system shifts into a sympathetic state—commonly known as the fight-or-flight response. Heart rate increases, muscles tense, and we become hyper-alert. While this state is crucial for survival, chronic activation can lead to anxiety, overwhelm, and difficulty relaxing.
Somatic practices help us become aware of how this state shows up in our body. Through movement, breathwork, and art-based interventions, we can release excess energy and bring the nervous system back into balance. For instance, using large, expressive movements or bold strokes in art can externalize the activation, creating space for regulation.
Dorsal Vagal State: Shutdown and Disconnection
When stress becomes too overwhelming, the nervous system may enter a dorsal vagal state, characterized by shutdown, numbness, or dissociation. In this state, people often feel disconnected from themselves and others, experiencing fatigue, hopelessness, or even a sense of invisibility.
Somatic art therapy gently supports reconnection in this state. Slow, mindful movements, tactile art materials, and grounding exercises can help reawaken sensation and presence. Engaging in simple, repetitive creative actions—such as scribbling, molding clay, or guided movement—can help bring someone out of shutdown and into a more engaged state. Explore more on how to heal your nervous system from trauma using somatic practices.
Why I Integrate Somatic Art into Polyvagal Informed Therapy
As a somatic art therapist, I have seen firsthand how blending Polyvagal Informed Therapy with body-based and creative practices deepens healing. Here’s why I believe this integration is essential:
Enhances Nervous System Awareness: Many people are unaware of how their nervous system shifts throughout the day. Somatic art therapy offers a way to explore these shifts through sensory engagement and creative expression.
Supports Regulation and Resilience: By working with the body through art and movement, we develop a toolkit for self-regulation, strengthening our ability to move between states with greater ease.
Encourages Safe, Embodied Healing: Trauma is stored in the body, and cognitive approaches alone may not fully address it. Engaging in somatic art therapy allows for gentle release and integration, supporting a sense of safety and self-trust.
By weaving somatics into Polyvagal Informed Therapy, we create a holistic healing approach that acknowledges the deep mind-body connection. When we understand our nervous system, we gain the power to shift towards regulation, creativity, and connection.
If you're curious about how somatic art therapy can support your healing journey, explore more at alyssajurewiczjohns.com.
