Introduction
Date Course Created: November 2025
Sign up today for an engaging and interactive workshop, designed for clinical professionals striving to deepen their understanding of the autonomic nervous system through the lens of Polyvagal Theory and its impact on therapeutic practices and processes.
Participants will explore the three primary pathways: dorsal vagal, sympathetic nervous system, and ventral vagal – and their unique functions in regulating bodily states, additionally learning how all three can impact clinical sessions and progress. Clinicians will gain insights into how their own autonomic states influence therapeutic interactions and learn two effective Polyvagal-informed strategies to navigate these dynamics in clinical sessions.
The course also emphasizes building resilience and preventing burnout by mastering two self-regulation techniques to address compassion fatigue. Additionally, participants will learn and practice two co-regulation strategies grounded in Polyvagal Theory to support clients experiencing dysregulation of the vagus nerve, fostering increased connection in the therapeutic relationship, resulting in improved clinical outcomes. Join us to increase your awareness, enhance your skills with practical Polyvagal-informed tools and strategies for self-regulation and co-regulation, and ultimately empower you and your clients to achieve the best outcomes possible!
In addition to the below formal course objectives, this workshop will include the following additions:
- Gain access to sample documents that reflect ethical management of clients at risk due to consistent patterns of dysregulation.
- Engage in a general ethics review throughout the training that reflects best practice to support clients struggling with dysregulation and preventing therapist burn out.
- Review the importance of obtaining and maintaining a relationship with a clinical supervisor or consultant to navigate challenging waters with dysregulated clients.
This is a 2.5-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
00:00 – 00:24 → Introduction, Disclaimers, Ethics in Practice, Resources, Somatic Therapies and Mind-Body Connection
00:24 – 00:51 → Chronic Stress in Therapists, Autonomic Nervous System, Integrating EMDR with Polyvagal Theory
00:51 – 01:23 → Neuroception and Co-Regulation, Therapeutic Techniques, Self-Care for Therapists, Somatic Techniques
01:23 – 01:51 → Preventing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue, Navigating Client Sensitivity, Glimmers, Co-Regulation Strategies
01:51 – 02:11 → Creating a Personal Practice Plan, Documentation and Client Safety, Legal Considerations for Therapists
02:11 – 02:39 → State Licensing Board Familiarity, Assessment Checklists, Emergency Protocols, Action Plans
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
After completing this training, participants will be able to name the three pathways of the autonomic nervous system and their functions: dorsal vagal, sympathetic nervous system, and the ventral vagal.- After completing this training, participants will be able to understand how their autonomic state impacts therapeutic interactions and two Polyvagal-informed techniques to manage that in clinical sessions.
- After completing this training, participants will have learned two Polyvagal-informed self-regulation techniques to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to identify and demonstrate the ability to apply two co-regulation strategies with clients challenged by dysregulation of the vagus nerve.
Target Audience:
Clinical Mental Health Professionals such as Counselors, Psychologists, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Licensed Clinical Social Workers.
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS
Material Author(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS
For additional information about this course, the instructors, or the material authors, please contact Content Assistance at content@onlinececredits.com.
Course Materials & Delivery Method:
- Course Materials – The course is composed of a recorded presentation and written materials (e.g. a slide deck and/or other worksheets, manuals, or handouts as provided by the instructor). The slide deck and any additional worksheets or handouts (as provided by the instructor) are made available inside the Lesson module after a course is purchased.
- Delivery Method – This course is a recorded asynchronous, self-paced webinar training, and there is no access time limit or due date to complete it once enrolled. The enrolled learner will stream the recorded presentation and view the materials from their internet connected device via an industry-standard online learning platform.
CE Approvals:
National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
Mind Works Professional Education, Inc. DBA Online CE Credits, #1974, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: July 23, 2025 – July 23, 2028. Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
Refund & Cancellation Policy – You may review this policy at any time by clicking here.- Accessibility Accommodations – If you require a reasonable accommodation for any reason, please email your request to cc@onlinececredits.com.
- Course Completion Requirements – 1.) View the entire Lesson module (accessible from the main course page), to include the embedded and/or linked presentation video(s), slide deck, additional materials, and/or links to any shared video clip(s) that may have been edited from the presentation video(s) to comply with copyright laws. 2.) Click into the Quiz module accessible from either the main course page or the Lesson page and complete the Quiz with an 80% or better pass rate. 3.) Complete the Course Evaluation – you’ll be sent to the Evaluation automatically once you successfully pass the Quiz.
- Posttest Requirements – You must answer 80% or more of the Quiz questions correctly to pass. If you fail to pass the first time, you may attempt the quiz again until you are able to pass with a score of 80% or better. Quizzes are graded instantly and automatically by the learning management system once your attempt is submitted.
- Certificate of Completion – Certificates of Completion are automatically generated – downloadable from your Dashboard and emailed to you – once you view the Lesson Materials and complete the Quiz and the Course Evaluation.
- How to Enroll – Login to the website first if you already have a user account. If not, you will create your permanent user account login information during course enrollment. Select the appropriate course library using the top menu of the website. Once inside your chosen course library, find and select your desired course to be taken to the main course page. Click the button on the top banner to enroll. When the order window pops up, enter your details and place your order. You will be emailed an enrollment confirmation message, and you’ll be sent to a landing page instructing you how to begin your newly enrolled course.
- System Requirements:
- Recommended Devices: Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet computer. (Note: Our platform is mobile responsive and may be fully accessed from a connected smartphone).
- Suggested Browsers: Updated version of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari.
- Recommended Network: Home wi-fi, ethernet, or a public wi-fi with VPN (Note: agency or corporate networks are often equipped with restrictive firewalls that may adversely impact your experience on our platform).
- Recommended speed/bandwidth: Minimum download speed > 20Mbps and minimum upload speed > 6Mbps.