Please join us 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 vagus, sympathetic nervous system, and ventral vagus—and their unique functions in regulating bodily states, and how all three can impact clinical sessions and progress. Attendees 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!

• 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.

Attendance and Location Details

Date and Time

**This is a 3-CE online seminar delivered virtually in real-time via an industry-standard webinar platform**

Friday, November 7, 2025, 10:00am – 1:00pm CST / 11:00am – 2:00pm EST / 8:00am – 11:00am PST

*Live Webinar Attendees: Zoom link and course materials will be made available to you 24-48 hours prior to event date

Agenda:

30 minutes: Introduction and Review of Learning Objectives and Course Resources

• • Review of learning objectives:
    • • Name the three pathways of the autonomic nervous system and their functions: dorsal vagus, sympathetic nervous system, and the ventral vagus.
      • Understand how their autonomic state impacts therapeutic interactions and two techniques to manage that in clinical sessions.
      • Learn two self-regulation techniques to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.
      • Identify and demonstrate the ability to apply two co-regulation strategies with clients challenged by dysregulation of the vagus nerve.

50 minutes: Understanding the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) in Therapy

• • Dorsal vagal, sympathetic, and ventral vagal states in therapists
  • Recognizing signs of dysregulation in you during sessions.
  • How the Therapist’s State Shapes the Session
    • • The impact of co-regulation on client engagement and safety.
      • Therapist nervous system mirroring & the ethical aspects of transference effects.
      • Self-reflection on personal triggers that impact emotional availability.
  • Experiential Exercise: Assessing Your Nervous System Baseline
    • • Guided reflection: Where do you typically operate from?
      • Group discussion on how therapist nervous system states influence client interactions and session outcomes.

15 minutes: Break

30 minutes: Polyvagal-Informed Self-Regulation Strategies for Clients Challenged by Dysregulation

• • Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Nervous System Dysregulation
    • • Understanding the chronic stress response in therapists
      • Why traditional self-care (e.g., mindfulness, deep breathing) may not always work
  • Polyvagal-Informed Self-Regulation Techniques
    • • Micro-practices for in-session nervous system resets
      • Breathwork techniques for shifting from sympathetic or dorsal shutdown
      • The role of movement, vocalization, and sensory grounding
  • Experiential Exercise: Building a Personal Self-Regulation Toolkit
    • • Guided practice: Trying different regulation techniques
      • Identifying what works best for individual nervous system needs

35 minutes: Polyvagal-Informed Co-Regulation Strategies for Clients Challenges by Dysregulation

• • What is Co-Regulation & Why is it Essential?
    • • How therapists serve as regulation anchors for clients
      • The balance between co-regulation and maintaining boundaries through an ethical lens
  • What is self-regulation and why is it essential?
    • • The importance of self-regulation and the ethics of applying it in all aspects of clinical work
  • Practical Techniques for Co-Regulating in Session
    • • Using tone of voice, pacing, and eye contact to cue safety
      • Somatic strategies for anchoring presence during dysregulated sessions
      • How to de-escalate client distress without absorbing their energy
  • Case Study Discussions:
    • • Examples of challenging client interactions
      • How the therapist’s nervous system influenced session outcomes
  • Experiential Exercise: Practicing Co-Regulation Techniques
    • • Role-play scenarios to explore therapist nervous system shifts
      • Group reflections on how it felt to engage in intentional co-regulation
      • Apply these strategies to prevent burn out and compassion fatigue

20 minutes: Integration & Closing Discussion

• • Creating a Polyvagal-Informed Self-Regulation Plan
    • • How to integrate nervous system awareness into daily clinical practice
      • Building pre- and post-session routines for nervous system care
  • Q&A & Final Reflections
    • • Open discussion on key takeaways
      • Resources for ongoing learning
      • Name two ways that you will start implementing this in your practice in the next week
      • Review of conflict-of-interest statement and gratitude slide

Objectives:

This training will provide participants clinical knowledge and tools to:

a). After completing this training, participants will be able to name the three pathways of the autonomic nervous system and their functions: dorsal vagus, sympathetic nervous system, and the ventral vagus.

b). 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.

c). After completing this training, participants will have learned two Polyvagal-informed self-regulation techniques to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.

d). 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:

Professional Counselors, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and anyone providing services in the behavioral health care industry.

Instructional Level: Intermediate

Instructor(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS

Material Author(s): Jodi Ann Geis-Crowder, MS, LPC, ACS  

Jodi Geis-Crowder is a dedicated professional with 27 years of experience in ensuring access to quality behavioral health care and substance use disorder services in rural areas of Northeast Colorado and Wyoming. She holds an Associate Degree in Education, a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, and a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Leadership from institutions in Wyoming. Jodi also holds professional counseling licenses in Colorado and Wyoming and is an Approved Clinical Supervisor through the Center for Credentialing and Education, recognized by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Jodi pioneered animal- assisted therapy and therapeutic horticulture programs at Centennial Mental Health Center and Peak Wellness Center, reflecting her commitment to culturally meaningful care in rural settings. She has held various leadership roles, including clinical supervisor and regional clinical director, and has expertise in Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), telehealth supervision, and telehealth service delivery. Jodi currently serves as a clinical supervisor and professional trainer for Volunteers of America Northern Rockies. Jodi also offers webinars, professional training consultation, and professional speaking through JGC Enterprises, LLC, focusing on Ethics, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Clinical Supervision, Telehealth, Trauma Informed Care, and the Human/Animal Bond. Passionate about art, Jodi is a professional watercolor artist and photographer, selling her work in Wyoming boutiques as a member of the Sagebrush Artisans. “I am grateful and humbled by the opportunities I have to mentor and nurture professionals on their journey. I am passionate about behavioral health care and ensuring service delivery for some of the most vulnerable in our society. My goal is to focus on solutions, hope, gratitude, identifying and instilling resilience, and finding glimmers in daily lives to facilitate positive change, individually and organizationally.”

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 (including the link to view the scheduled live webinar) are made available to all registered attendees 24-48 hours before the event start time. 
• This training is interactive and provides opportunities to ask direct questions to the trainer as well as request immediate help from staff if needed. The attendee will view the presentation in real-time from their connected device via an industry-standard internet webinar platform.

CE Approvals:

Online CE Credits has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6795. Programs that do not quality for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Online CE Credits is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

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, 2024 – July 23, 2025. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.

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