Polyvagal Institute

Stephen W. Porges, PhD, is a behavioral neuroscientist and the originator of
Polyvagal Theory, a framework linking autonomic regulation to emotion, social
behavior, and health. He is Distinguished University Scientist at the Kinsey Institute,
Indiana University, where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress
Research Consortium, and serves as Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina. He holds emeritus professorial appointments at the University of Maryland and the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and is Courtesy Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Florida College of Medicine in Jacksonville.

Professor Porges’ interdisciplinary research has reshaped understanding of how autonomic state influences social engagement, emotion regulation, and health, with broad implications for trauma, neurodevelopment, and mind-body medicine. He has authored over 400 peer-reviewed scientific publications, which have been cited in more than 65,000 scholarly works.

Verena König is a trauma therapist, seminar leader, podcaster, and author. She completed trainings in Systemic Therapy and Constellation Work, as well as numerous psychotraumatology certifications, including Ego-State Therapy, Trauma Touch, EMDR, Brainspotting, and Polyvagal-Informed Practice. She is the founder and CEO of König Weiterbildungen GmbH. Verena König has published numerous podcast episodes and blog articles and is the author of the longtime bestsellers “Bin ich traumatisiert” ("Am I Traumatized") and "Trauma und Beziehungen" ("Trauma and Relationships"). She offers seminars and further training, as well as comprehensive online courses for trauma-affected individuals. Her professional practice includes over 20 years of experience in individual sessions, seminars, and supervision. Among her teachers are Dr. Woltemade Hartman, Dr. Karl Heinz Brisch, Kathy Kain, Deb Dana, Michaela Huber, Dr. Lutz U. Besser, and Dr. Raja Selvam. Verena König lives and works in the Odenwald region of Germany.

Woltemade Hartman is a Clinical and Educational Psychologist and psychotherapist from Pretoria, South Africa. He is a clinician, consultant, and experienced international trainer specialising in working with PTSD and complex trauma-related disorders. He has worked extensively with survivors of trauma, torture, war and human rights violations in various countries and regions of the world. He has also served in an advisory capacity to politicians and political parties worldwide.Dr Hartman is the Founding Director of the Milton H. Erickson Institutes of South Africa (MEISA). He is the founder and Past-president of Ego State Therapy International and currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer of Ego State Therapy International (ESTI).

Eugene Ellis is a psychotherapist, writer and public speaker, and an Honorary Fellow of the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy. For many years, he has worked with severely traumatised children and their families in the field of adoption, with a particular interest in body-oriented practice and facilitating the healing of trauma.

He is the director and founder of the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network, the UK's largest independent organisation specialising in therapeutic work with Black, African, Caribbean and Asian people, with almost 2,000 members.

Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author and speaker. Her work is focused on using the lens of Polyvagal Theory to understand and resolve the impact of trauma in our lives. She is a founding member of the Polyvagal Institute, consultant to Khiron Clinics, and advisor to Unyte.

Deb’s work shows how an understanding of Polyvagal Theory is applicable across the board to relationships, mental health, and trauma. She delves into the intricacies of how we can all use an understanding of the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory to change the ways we navigate our daily lives.

Deb is well known for translating Polyvagal Theory into a language and application that is both clear and accessible and for pioneering Rhythm of Regulation® methodology, tools, techniques and practices which continue to open up the power of Polyvagal Theory for professionals and curious people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life.

Enrique Arellano is a Certified Body-Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Publisher and a Continuing Education provider. He is based in Spain, and has been working in the field of Integrative psychotherapy for the past 25 years.

Enrique has worked to introduce and spread Polyvagal Theory through books, media outreach, and education. His organization has been an International Partner with Polyvagal Institute since 2020 and a partner with Deb Dana’s trainings for clinical practice since 2019.

Dr. Keira Barr is a double board-certified dermatologist, psychodermatology expert, and internationally recognized educator specializing in the intersection of dermatology, neuroscience, and patient behavior. With more than 20 years of clinical experience and advanced training in mind-body medicine, Dr. Barr works with individuals, patient advocacy groups and organizations to champion skin
and mental health as public health issues. Her work with pharmaceutical and biotech partners centers on improving patient engagement, adherence, retention, and real-world outcomes.

Dr. Barr's work translates the science of stress, trauma, and mind–skin pathways into practical strategies that enhance patient trust, strengthen adherence to long-term therapies, elevate the quality of patient-facing education and help individuals feel safe living in their own skin.

Stephen Hanmer D’Elía is a therapist, social worker, writer, and policy and program consultant working across clinical practice, child protection, and institutional change.

For more than twenty-five years, Stephen has worked with children, young people, and families and designed policies and programs for the systems that shape their lives. His work has taken him across five continents, from therapy rooms and child welfare agencies to refugee camps, conflict zones, and international institutions including UNICEF. He currently maintains a private psychotherapy practice in New York City and consults on child and family policy, program design, and organizational change.

Kate Woodsome is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist and founder and director of the Invisible Threads Impact Lab, building the human and relational capacity democracy depends on.

For two decades, Woodsome reported and led global news teams for Voice of America, Al Jazeera English, and The Washington Post, covering upheaval from Cuba to Cambodia, Hong Kong to Washington, DC. Reporting on the January 6 U.S. Capitol attack left her with complex PTSD and a visceral understanding of how trauma is a cause and effect of polarization. After her team won the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, she left traditional journalism, unwilling to perpetuate a culture that treats trauma as the price of truth.