Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory for Therapists
Part 1. Starting September 10, 2025
Learn with Ruby Jo
17 CEs are available for this course.
This course is a cutting-edge approach to working more effectively in therapy. Diagnosis and presenting symptoms from clients always have an underlying physiological state. Polyvagal Theory (PVT) provides the framework and understanding of supporting clients' current presentation, as well as supporting them in their goals for treatment. This class will use the lens of PVT in applying therapeutic processes for physiological shifts, resulting in behavioral, emotional, and relational changes. These changes are directly related to clients’ needs and are at the heart of therapy. This class can be applied to a developed therapeutic approach for seasoned practitioners, or it can stand alone for newer clinicians wanting to apply PVT to their psychotherapeutic practice.
Course Timing
September to December 2025
This is a hybrid course that will meet for 2 hour long sessions on Zoom over the course of 16 weeks every other Wednesday at 1:30 pm ET (US & Canada). Self-paced content will become available upon registration.
It's required to attend 7 of the 8 classes live if you are pursuing optional continuing education credits.
Recordings of previous live sessions will be available on our learning platform.
Convert the listed times to your own timezone, here.
Course Description
This course is a cutting-edge approach to working more effectively in therapy. Diagnosis and presenting symptoms from clients always have an underlying physiological state. Polyvagal Theory provides the framework and understanding of supporting clients’ current presentation, as well as supporting them in their goals for treatment.
This class will use the lens of Polyvagal Theory in applying therapeutic processes for physiological shifts, resulting in behavioral, emotional, and relational changes. These changes are directly related to clients’ needs and are at the heart of therapy. This class can be applied to a developed therapeutic approach for seasoned practitioners, or it can stand alone for newer clinicians wanting to apply Polyvagal Theory to their psychotherapeutic practice.
You will receive a Concentration in the Clinical Application of Polyvagal Theory certificate upon completion of the course.
Each class will consist of a blend of lectures, demos, and practices. After a new skill is taught and modeled, students will have the chance to practice it with each other in their groups of 3 (client, therapist, and observer).
17 CEs are offered for this training. CEs require live attendance in 7 of the 8 live classes.
Part Two of this training will launch in January 2026 with an additional registration fee. Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory in Therapy Part 1 is a prerequisite to take Part 2. You will receive your Concentration in the Clinical Application of Polyvagal Theory certificate upon completing Part 1, and another certificate upon completing Part 2.
Extra Details
This is a hybrid course. There are no pre-requisites.
-
This training is for psychotherapists who are wanting to utilize polyvagal-informed interventions in therapy.
-
The emphasis in this somatic training is learning bottom-up techniques that promote more profound shifts in the underlying physiology of the nervous system to provide deeper change and transformation.
More About Ruby Jo Walker, LCSW
Ruby Jo Walker
Ruby Jo Walker, LCSW, is an author, experienced trauma therapist, and trainer sought for her expertise in Polyvagal Theory. She specializes in supervising and training psychotherapists in providing effective treatment with special attention to supporting the development of the therapist. She is the founder of SouthwestTrauma Training Services where she developed Post-Traumatic Growth Somatic Therapy, a unique combination of advanced somatic therapy practices rooted in neurobiology, resilience, trauma healing, and attachment theory, using applied Polyvagal Theory. Additionally, she is certified in Somatic Experiencing and Hakomi Mindfulness Therapy.
Her experience in the field of trauma spans over 30 years of training a wide range of professionals from various disciplines in Polyvagal-informed trauma protocols. Her work continues to impact psychotherapists, healthcare providers, trauma support agencies, behavioral health service groups, human service agencies, and attendees at Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence conferences. She has facilitated hundreds of trainings, providing expert guidance to help individuals and organizations better understand and address the impact and treatment of trauma for improved client outcomes and effectiveness in their work.
She has a passion for supporting professionals and clients incorporating an understanding of neurobiology to bring about deep change and transformation. Committed to her community, Ruby Jo served in a leadership role on a statewide task force that developed supportive resources for healthcare workers in Colorado during the 2020 pandemic. She is a contributing author to Somatic-Oriented Therapies: Embodiment, Trauma, and the Polyvagal Perspective, edited by Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD. published in 2025. In collaboration with Norton Press, Ruby Jo will publish her first book focusing on Applied Polyvagal Theory to Trauma Treatment in late 2025 (or early 2026).
FAQ
-
What is the attendance policy for a course?
Live/Hybrid courses: While specific course policies may vary, we typically allow one absence for a live or hybrid course and require watching the recording and/or sometimes submitting a reflection for the missed session. If a participant is absent for more than the permissible number of live sessions, they may no longer be eligible to receive their certificate. Self-paced courses: Attendance does not apply to self-paced courses as they are designed to be consumed when the student is willing and able to take the course. All material is pre-recorded content, reading, or individual assignments. Please note that if you are enrolled in a course that offers CEs (continuing education credits) and you have opted to earn them, specific attendance policies apply and must be adhered to in order for you to remain eligible to earn CEs at the end of the course. Contact us for details if you are unsure of the attendance policy for your particular course!
-
How and where are live sessions held?
Live sessions are held online via Zoom. You will find your course Zoom link inside the course content on our Learning Platform once you enroll; email reminders with the Zoom link are sent to enrolled students. While having your camera on is not required, you are invited to turn your camera on during your live course session; this allows you to share in co-regulation with other learners and to build a sense of community.
-
What if I am unable to attend a live session?
We upload recordings of our live course sessions to our Learning Platform within 72 hours for you to view. (Please see the attendance policy above.)
-
Where can I find the course material?
PVI uses a Learning Platform (LMS) called Thinkific. Upon enrolling in a course, you will receive an email invite to access the course in Thinkific. This is where you'll find all of the course materials, links, and class community.
-
Is this course accredited?
PVI is the founding home of Polyvagal Theory, and we believe our courses offer the most accurate and up to date content about Polyvagal Theory and its many applications. There is no accrediting body for this type of curriculum. Our course descriptions will list any continuing education credits (CEs/ CEUs) or other professional benefits that might be available for the course (along with any applicable restrictions). If CEs are not listed for a particular course, then none are available.
-
How do I reset my password to the PVI Learning Platform?
You can reset your password by going to https://pvi.thinkific.com/users/sign_in and clicking the “Forgot Password?” link. You will then enter the email address you used when creating your account to receive a one-time password reset link. Use the instructions in that email to complete your password reset. If you have any other technical questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
-
Is there closed captioning?
Yes. Most of our pre-recorded course content is hosted on a platform that offers closed captioning. If you come across a video that does not have closed captioning, please send us a message at [email protected] and we will be glad to assist you.
-
In which currency are your prices listed in?
Our prices are listed in USD (United States Dollars). Your credit card or bank statement will likely reflect the price in your local currency.
-
Will I be charged sales tax?
If you are located in the US or Canada, you will be charged sales tax on the cost of your course.
-
Are there scholarships available?
Yes, PVI offers scholarships for all of our courses on a rolling basis. You can apply for a scholarship at https://forms.gle/vvfQdyAtw3k79LpM9.
-
Are there group discounts?
Yes. For groups of five or more participants, a 15% discount is available for each participant. Please contact us at [email protected] to inquire and to enroll as a group!
-
What is your refund policy?
We are proud to offer a 30 day Money Back Guarantee for all of our courses (from date of purchase for self-paced courses and from date of first live session for live courses). Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you'd like to inquire about a refund.