An Introductory Training in
the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model
Starts September 10, 2026.
Learn with Jan
In treating trauma and addiction, specialists are realizing the importance of helping their clients connect with embodied wisdom. Many trainings emphasize the importance of this connection, but they don’t provide specifics on instructing clients to lean into their bodies. This is the most in-depth education of FSPM where students receive unique access to Jan with personalized feedback.
Through this course, students will engage in their own felt sense experiencing, and learn how to share that experience and process with their clients. This training is the first step in becoming a Certified FSPM Facilitator through the International Focusing Institute and FSPM Institute.
Pricing options
Students will have access to the course for 365 days from the date of the first live session.
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Enroll Now
$1,347.00
Regular price
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Enroll Now
7 x $192.43
7 month payment plan
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Enroll Now
3 x $449.00
3 month payment plan
Course Timing
This nine-month course begins on Thursday, September 10. The cohort will meet for a two-hour long sessions each month live on Zoom on Thursdays from 12:00-2:00 pm ET (US & Canada) (time zone converter). 100% live attendance is required (See attendance policy in section below).
In addition to class time, you will meet with your Focusing Partner in between live sessions. To receive the Focusing Proficiency Certificate, you must provide documentation of 15 Partner sessions over the nine months. You will need at least 50 minutes per meeting. Each person does 20 minutes of Focusing, then your partner reflects back your felt sense. This practice is a lifelong gift. We strongly encourage you to fully embrace it.
Course Description
The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model™, developed by instructor Jan Winhall, is a tool that helps people transition from being stressed, overwhelmed, or addicted to becoming more regulated, grounded, and calm in their bodies. The model integrates Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, alongside Gendlin’s Felt Sense Focusing Oriented Psychotherapy process, enabling us to appreciate traumatic and addictive behaviors as adaptive responses to maladaptive environments.
It shifts the current pathologizing paradigm to a strength based approach and provides a generic framework that can support any therapeutic modality. Therapists, coaches, and bodyworkers can all benefit from this training.
Course Requirements
Attendance
100% live attendance is required. If you must miss one class, attendance in the make-up class is required in addition to viewing the recording of the first 75 minutes of the class that you missed.
One make-up class is provided after the end of the course. These are the attendance requirements for earning the two certificates.
Focusing Partnerships
In addition to monthly classes, you will also pair up with a Focusing Partner. In order to receive the Proficiency in Focusing Partnership (PFP) Award, you must provide documentation of 15 Partner sessions over the nine months. You will need at least 50 minutes per meeting - totaling 12.5 hours during the course. Each person does 20 minutes of Focusing, then your partner reflects back your felt sense.
Pre-Course Reading
Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, by Jan Winhall, Routledge, 2021.
Purchase now with 20% off using this code: FSPM23
Physical copy or audiobook of 20 Embodied Practices for Healing Trauma and Addiction Using the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model available through PVI's Bookstore.
International Body Psychotherapy Journal Vol. 21, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2022:
Gendlin, E. T. Focusing. (1978/1981). New York: Bantamdell.
Extra Details
Note: No CEs are offered for this course
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This course is for clinicians, coaches, bodyworkers, and other healthcare providers.
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This course consists of nine two-hour Zoom classes that meet monthly, alongside nine hours of self-paced lectures by Jan Winhall. Students will also be paired up in Focusing Partnerships, and have access to recorded conversations between Jan Winhall and Stephen Porges.
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You will receive a Concentration in the Application of the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model upon completion of the course.
Your Instructor
Jan Winhall
Jan Winhall, M.S.W. F.O.T. is an author, teacher and a seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist. She is an adjunct lecturer and practicum supervisor in the Department of Social Work, University of Toronto. Jan is director of Focusing on Borden, a psychotherapy and training center. She has built a community of people who teach and practice Focusing as a way of life. Jan presents internationally on trauma and addiction.
Her book, "Treating Addiction with The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model: A Bottom Up Approach" is the result of rethinking the Felt Sense Experience Model that she wrote about in Emerging Practice in Focusing- Oriented Psychotherapy, 2014. Her most recent book is "20 Embodied Practices for Healing Trauma and Addiction Using the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model".
Jan is Director of The FSPM Institute where she offers courses, trains therapists and supervises graduate students. She enjoys teaching all over the world. You can reach her at fspminstitute.com.
Reviews
Deeply transformative
Inka Ticha
I feel very grateful for this wonderful journey with you. I had no idea that we could explore our depths in a very safe and supportive environment even conne...
Read MoreI feel very grateful for this wonderful journey with you. I had no idea that we could explore our depths in a very safe and supportive environment even connected online like this around the world. Thank you so much Jan, you are a great inspiration to me and thank you for all your thoughts and insights that have enriched my life and also my therapeutic practice. Thank you to everyone who participated in this wonderful training. I work as a craniosacral BCST therapist, treating trauma and any type of addiction is my mission. The Focusing method and Polyvagal approaches complement BCST treatment brilliantly. I myself have also undergone a significant self-discovery during these few months, it has changed me a lot. Thank you and I definitely recommend this training to all BCST practitioners. Warmly Inka Ticha, Czech Republic
Read LessHighly recommend!
Ragna Reiske
This course was a game changer for my work and personal development. I was new to Focusing and it is a powerful tool - especially in Jan’s combination with t...
Read MoreThis course was a game changer for my work and personal development. I was new to Focusing and it is a powerful tool - especially in Jan’s combination with the Polyvagal approach. Great additional tools are being handed out to create non-judgemental assessments of your clients, leaving the disease-driven mindset.
Read LessFelt Sense Polyvagal Model
Irene Becker
Excellent. Groundbreaking work!
Excellent. Groundbreaking work!
Read LessA very complete but complex model
Doug Chapman
Jan has brought together so many innovative ideas and models. This course was a great introduction to her exciting new approach. There are so many strands an...
Read MoreJan has brought together so many innovative ideas and models. This course was a great introduction to her exciting new approach. There are so many strands and interconnecting parts that it was overwhelming at times. But I am intrigued by the model that I am eager to go further in training so that I can become proficient in using this approach.
Read LessGreat course!
Lina Skantze
Such an important and useful course! The combination of Focusing and Polyvagal theory makes a brilliant foundation for a much needed paradigm shift in unders...
Read MoreSuch an important and useful course! The combination of Focusing and Polyvagal theory makes a brilliant foundation for a much needed paradigm shift in understanding and treating trauma and addiction. I highly recommend it!
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