Joanne McIntyre: Neurobiology of Safety

Clinical Applications of Porges’ Polyvagal Theory in Trauma Informed Practice

1- DAY Online Training Workshop

This workshop is suitable for all professionals working with trauma and looking to understand the Polyvagal Theory in therapy.

This practical one-day training provides participants with a deeper understanding of the Polyvagal Theory and approaches to use with clients to help them link behavior with autonomic state and strategies to self-regulate. Participants will also be introduced to two evidence-based neurotechnology’s aimed to improve vagal regulation for calm physiological states facilitating the processing of trauma.

REGISTRATION INCLUDES A $50 DISCOUNT TO THE SAFE AND SOUND PROTOCOL (SSP) TRAINING. CLICK HERE for more information about SSP program

The Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr Porges, has been embraced by trauma therapists worldwide. The theory is groundbreaking in that it provides a biobehavioural explanation for fight, flight and freeze or dissociation. Polyvagal Theory provides a framework connecting physiological state to psychology and behaviour and reframes behaviours as adaptive, survival-driven responses based on individual perceptions of threat or safety.This practical one-day training provides participants with a deeper understanding of the Polyvagal Theory and approaches to use with clients to help them link behavior with autonomic state and strategies to self-regulate. Participants will also be introduced to two evidence-based neurotechnology’s aimed to improve vagal regulation for calm physiological states facilitating the processing of trauma.

~ About the Safe and Sound Protocol ~

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based intervention that emerged from Porges groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory. The SSP diverges from traditional therapeutic approaches by targeting underlying systems and structures that support nervous system integration.

The protocol is non-invasive, simply administered, and involves listening to specifically filtered music over 5 hours to stimulate the auditory system and improve middle ear function. Through stimulating the auditory portal, increased attunement to frequencies of the human voice is enabled and dampening of lower frequency background noise (perceived as threat) occurs. State regulation and pro-social behaviours emerge due to the neural circuitry of the social engagement system being employed.

Presenter: Joanne McIntyre, OT, MS (Psych), PhD Candidate

Clinical Director, Integrated Listening Australia.

Joanne’s training included Advanced Integrated Listening Systems, Safe and Sound Protocol, Neurodevelopmental Treatment, Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT), Neurofeedback including EEG brain mapping, Temporal motor processing program (IM), and Heart Rate Variability bio-feedback training. Travelling throughout Canada and the United States, Joanne worked as an instructor for Integrated Listening Systems (iLS). Joanne returned to Australia 2015 and is Clinical Director of Integrated Listening Australia providing practitioner training and clinical support to clinicians and families. Joanne is currently a PhD Candidate at La Trobe University within the School of Psychology and Public Health investigating the Neurobehavioral underpinnings of the Safe & Sound Protocol Intervention supported by the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC). This study will expand our biobehavioural understanding of the intervention. Joanne presented at the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) Conference in 2015 about integrating iLs with Neurofeedback.

~ What's included in the Workshop ~

Participants will learn about the Polyvagal Theory, existing evidence; implementation, and support strategies for the Safe and Sound Protocol in trauma-informed practice. CLICK HERE for more information about SSP program.

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to order the SSP acoustic technology to implement in their setting. Certification as an SSP practitioner includes submission of a case study demonstrating application and clinical reasoning.

~ Learning Objectives ~

Understand the key principles of the Polyvagal Theory in relation to working with trauma clients
Understand the autonomic nervous system in relation to state regulation
Appreciate the role the auditory system plays as a portal to state regulation
Articulate key evidence of the Safe and Sound Protocol
Understand the key principles of the Polyvagal Theory in relation to working with trauma clients
Know how to use the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) acoustic technology
Develop key concepts about implementation in an office and/or home setting
Understand how to evaluate the appropriateness of the SSP intervention
Identify how to support children and families based on shifts in the social engagement system during and post SSP implementation in a trauma-informed setting

~ Who Should Attend? ~

This course is suited to all clinicians interested in the mind-body interface. Students and researchers in the field of Psychology and Psychiatry or related fields are welcome.

~ Included Materials ~

Workshop materials will be provided within the registration portal 1 week prior to commencement of the workshop. Materials include:

An overview of Polyvagal Theory for your reading
Question guide to assist you to listen for key information
Slide deck for printing and note-taking at the workshop

~ Technologies Demonstrated ~

Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)