Clinical Applications of Polyvagal Theory for Therapists
Part 1. Starting September 10, 2025
Learn with Ruby Jo
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.
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).
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.
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This training is for psychotherapists who are wanting to utilize polyvagal-informed interventions in therapy.
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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, SEP, CHT, is an author, trainer, trauma
therapist, and Course Partner for the Polyvagal Institute, specializing in
the neurobiology of trauma and resilience. She is the founder of SW
Trauma Training Services, where she developed Post-Traumatic Growth
Somatic TherapyTM (PTGST)—a distinctive integration of advanced
somatic therapy practices grounded in neurobiology, resilience, trauma
healing, and attachment theory, grounded in Polyvagal Theory.
Certified in both Somatic Experiencing® and Hakomi Mindful Somatic
Psychotherapy, Ruby Jo brings over 35 years of experience working in
the field of trauma treatment. She has trained a wide range of
professionals across disciplines, delivering Polyvagal-informed trauma
protocols for psychotherapists, healthcare providers, trauma support
agencies, behavioral health organizations, and human service groups.
Her work has been featured at numerous National Sexual Assault and
Domestic Violence conferences, and she has had the honor of providing
specialized training for professionals from the Navajo Nation. For more
than 15 years, she has facilitated Polyvagal Theory-based trainings,
offering expert guidance to individuals and organizations in
understanding and addressing trauma’s impact—leading to improved
therapeutic effectiveness and client outcomes. She also supports staff at
various agencies in the prevention of burnout through the cultivation of
resilience, using a Polyvagal Theory lens. Additionally, she has a passion
for the development of the clinician for both a greater presence and
expansion into their true Essence.
Deeply committed to fostering healing and resiliency, she integrates the
latest understanding of neurobiology to support profound change and
transformation in both clients, professionals, and agencies. As part of her
dedication to community well-being, she served in a leadership capacity
on a statewide Colorado task force that developed supportive resources
for healthcare workers during the 2020 pandemic.
Ruby Jo is a contributing author to the Norton Press volume Somatic-
Oriented Therapies: Embodiment, Trauma, and Polyvagal Perspectives
(edited by Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD, 2025). Her debut book, Applied
Polyvagal Theory for Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth: A
Clinician’s Guide (2026)—also published by Norton Press—offers an
integrative framework for clinicians seeking to apply Polyvagal Theory
in clinical practice.
Ruby Jo is a contributing author to the forthcoming Norton Press volume
Somatic-Oriented Therapies: Embodiment, Trauma, and Polyvagal
Perspectives (edited by Dr. Stephen Porges, PhD, 2025). Her debut
book, Applied Polyvagal Theory for Resilience and Post-Traumatic
Growth: A Clinician’s Guide—also published by Norton Press—offers
an integrative framework for clinicians seeking to apply Polyvagal
Theory in clinical practice.
FAQ
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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!
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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.
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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.)
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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.
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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.
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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].
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.