Preferred registration deadline: February 26th

3 CEs

The ability to remain present, responsive, and grounded is an essential part of effective clinical practice, but the demands of helping work can challenge even experienced practitioners. Understanding how our nervous system responds to stress can provide clinicians with practical tools for strengthening therapeutic presence while supporting their own professional well-being.

This interactive workshop introduces Polyvagal Theory as a practical framework for understanding how autonomic state can influence perception, interpersonal engagement, clinical decision-making, and our capacity to remain present with clients. Participants will explore concepts such as neuroception and autonomic regulation while developing greater awareness of their own physiological and emotional responses. Moving beyond theory, participants will engage in guided experiential activities and learn practical regulation strategies that can be incorporated into clinical practice and professional self-care. Activities may include breathing, grounding, orienting, interoceptive awareness, and gentle movement practices. Participants will leave with an expanded understanding of the connection between nervous system regulation and clinical functioning, along with practical strategies for cultivating greater awareness, presence, and sustainability in their work.

Experiential activities are voluntary and can be modified based on individual preference and comfort. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and may bring a yoga or exercise mat for optional floor-based activities. Chairs will be available, and all exercises can be completed while seated.

This is an in-person workshop that will be held on Washington University’s Danforth Campus. The exact location and directions will be emailed to registered participants before the course date.

General Admission: $65**
**Eligible discounts can be applied during checkout.

Class size is limited to 30.

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Course Outline

Content Level: Intermediate

Target Audiences: Social workers, counselors, psychologists, mental health providers, school social workers, non-profit professionals, managers, and other helping professions.

Agenda:

• Welcome & Introductions - 5 mins
• Clinical Presence and Professional Well-Being, including burnout, fatigue, and vicarious trauma - 25 mins
• Polyvagal Theory in Clinical Practice - 40 mins
• Developing State Awareness, including autonomic regulation and co-regulation - 20 mins
• Polyvagal-Informed Regulation - 30 mins
• Embodying Regulation Through Movement and Activities - 45 mins
• Integration: Bringing It Into Clinical Practice - 15 mins

Learner Outcomes

• Analyze the relationship between autonomic state, neuroception, and clinical functioning.
• Apply polyvagal-informed self-regulation strategies that support therapeutic presence and professional well-being.
• Demonstrate increased awareness of autonomic state through guided experiential exercises.

Course Completion Requirements:

The Brown School is an approved provider of Social Work CEs in Missouri and Illinois. To earn credit, attendees must arrive at the scheduled time, attend the entire course, and complete an online course evaluation. You may still qualify for partial Social Work Missouri and Illinois CEs if you miss part of the training. CE Certificates will be available online within 10 business days of course completion by visiting your learner profile at https://ce.wustl.edu/portal/logon.do?method=load&parentSite=brown.  You will receive an email notification with specific instructions for accessing the online certificate when it is available.

For more information about CEs, accessibility, refund/cancelation policy, our grievance policy or other inquiries please visit our About Us page or email brownprofdev@wustl.edu.

Recommendations

This workshop includes activities such as regulated breathing, grounding, orienting, interoceptive awareness, and gentle movement practices. Experiential activities are voluntary and can be modified based on individual preference and comfort. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and may bring a yoga or exercise mat for optional floor-based activities. Chairs will be available, and all exercises can be completed while seated.