Introduction
Date Course Created: August 2025
Grounded within the principles of polyvagal theory, affective neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, this class will help you gain a better understanding of how our brains and bodies respond to stress and trauma.
Vagal toning has benefits for emotional, mental, and physical health and is especially important for any imbalance to the autonomic nervous system as a result of trauma, chronic illness, and those suffering from long-haul covid symptoms. When we look at the root cause of these symptoms, we recognize that they all come from a common source which is a dysregulation of your autonomic nervous system.
Healthy vagal tone can be thought of as an optimal balance of parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system actions. This balance is regulated by your vagus nerve. Vagal toning means you are adding gentle stimulation to the vagus nerve pathway through breath, sound, eye-movements, self-applied touch, and gentle movements that help you come into balance. We are strengthening the nerve pathway of the social engagement system through repeated practices within the context of connection and safety through conscious breathing, movement, and self-compassion practices. Since most of us are sympathetic dominant, balance involves more down-regulation of the nervous system into the parasympathetic. However, some of need up-regulating strategies to come out of fatigue or collapse
Within this class, Dr. Schwartz will offer lectures on the science of vagal toning and guide you through an experiential process so you can sense the benefit of these practices for yourself as well as teach them to clients. These practices can quickly reduce client’s anxiety, obsessive thinking, or feelings of hopelessness. Applied polyvagal theory within psychotherapy provides a powerful foundation for lasting changes that promote physiological balance and psychological wellness.
Join Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, internationally sought-out teacher, therapeutic yoga instructor, and leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma as she guides you through applied polyvagal theory in somatic therapies.
This is a 5.75-CE noninteractive, self-paced online video course delivered in home study format via an industry-standard online learning platform.
Agenda
Video 1:
00:00 – 00:50 → Introduction, Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System, Experiential Practice
00:50 – 01:34 → Heart and Emotional Awareness, Differentiating & Assessing Nervous System States, Tier Three Responses
01:34 – 02:18 → Introduction to Vagal Efficiency, Neuroplasticity in Emotional Regulation, Breathing Practices
02:18 – 02:48 → Self-Soothing Techniques with Havening Touch, Integrating Sound and Touch, Exploring Vagal Efficiency
02:48 – 03:36 → Eye and Neck Exercises, Responses to Relaxation, Full Salamander Exercise, Dysautonomia
03:36 – 04:31 → Body Interconnectivity, Body Awareness, Grounding Techniques, Integrating Movement into Self-Care
04:31 – 05:05 → Discussion and Reflection, Compassion-Based Practices, Distinguishing Between Empathy and Compassion
05:05 – 05:50 → Oxytocin and Defensive Responses, Repairing Therapeutic Ruptures, Exploring Blocking Beliefs
Objectives
This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:
After completing this training, participants will be able to fine-tune the nervous system moment-by-moment to help clients come out of chronic stress.- After completing this training, participants will be able to address the client’s health with breath, movement, and body awareness practices.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to learn and describe the fastest ways to reduce stress and regulate the nervous system.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to learn and understand the science of vagal tone and vagal efficiency.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to state the key elements of applied polyvagal theory in psychotherapy.
- After completing this training, participants will be able to teach clients to naturally stimulate their vagus nerve to enhance their physical and emotional health.
Target Audience:
Mental Health Clinicians & Therapists, Social Workers, Psychologists, Marriage & Family Therapists, Counselors, School Personnel, and Healthcare Workers.
Instructional Level: Intermediate
Instructor(s): Arielle Schwartz, PhD
Material Author(s): Arielle Schwartz, PhD
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 5.75 clinical continuing education credits.
Other Helpful Information:
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- 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.
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