Go beyond traditional talk therapy.
Polyvagal Therapy in Philadelphia, PA.
You’ve tried everything you can think of to feel better, but nothing’s sticking.
You’ve worked hard to think differently, to reframe the negative thoughts, to “just breathe” when things feel overwhelming, but the relief never seems to last. It’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It might be because your nervous system is still carrying the weight of past overwhelm, stuck in patterns of protection that can’t be shifted by logic alone. The problem is: our nervous systems don’t speak the same language as our logic.
This is where Polyvagal Therapy comes in. Through Polyvagal Therapy, we can learn to work with ourselves via the nervous system, rather than constantly fighting against ourselves.
Together, we’ll move beyond trying to reason our way out of pain. We’ll tune in to your body’s cues, learn the language of your nervous system, and build the safety needed to soften old patterns. Healing begins in the body, where those patterns began. As we delicately shift your nervous system, you’ll notice your thoughts and anxieties (the language of logic in your brain), will gently start to shift too.
You may benefit from therapy targeting the nervous system if you’re still feeling…
plagued by anxiety, even when you know there’s “nothing to worry about.”
stuck in thought spirals, constantly on edge and bracing for the worst.
unable to “get out of your head” and be present.
stuck in survival mode cycles of over-functioning, followed by burnout.
exhausted by the effort it takes to get through the day.
disconnected from others and yourself.
Polyvagal therapy may help you find the relief you haven’t found from regular talk therapy.
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In Polyvagal therapy, we focus on helping your nervous system feel safe enough to shift out of survival mode. The question guiding each moment of our practice will be: What does my nervous system need right now?
That might look like slowing down, noticing sensations in your body, practicing regulation techniques together, or exploring Parts of yourself that react in moments of stress or connection.
Rather than pushing through with logic or willpower, we’ll gently work with your body’s natural rhythms to show your nervous system that we now know how to listen to the needs it’s expressing, and meet those needs for ourselves.
Through the therapeutic relationship, your nervous system will learn the safety that can come from co-regulation. Every step of the journey, I will be here to help you find the felt-sense of a safe and empathic other.
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We’ll start gently. In the beginning, therapy might look like talking about what brings you here and learning how to slow down enough to notice what your body is already telling us: tension, restlessness, numbness, collapse, or anything in between. Over time, we’ll begin to introduce the language of the nervous system: learning to recognize states like fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and what it feels like to come back into safety.
You don’t need to know any of this ahead of time; We’ll learn together, at your pace. Little by little, you'll begin to understand your patterns not as flaws, but as survival strategies your body chose for a reason. Eventually, you’ll start to see your life through the lens of your nervous system: intuitively noticing things that “cue unsafety” to your system, incorporating regulatory resources for safety and soothing, and feeling a sense of agency by working with your nervous system to allow you to connect more fully with yourself and others.
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Polyvagal therapy can help you feel more regulated, present, and connected. You may notice:
A greater sense of compassion for yourself and others.
A stronger understanding of why you are as you are.
A deeper sense of safety in your body and your relationships.
You begin to feel guided by your Inner Wisdom rather than your Inner Critic.
You feel able to set boundaries without guilt.
More satisfying and meaningful relationships, built on trust, attunement, and authenticity.
Is Polyvagal therapy the right fit for you?
Polyvagal therapy can help you find a sense of presence and peace in the day-to-day.
If you’re interested in trying somatic therapy rather than staying focused on thinking patterns or behavior modification, Polyvagal therapy may be the right fit for you. Rather than a structured systematic approach, Polyvagal therapy is gentle and intuitive, naturally following the lead of you and your nervous system.
Polyvagal therapy helps shift our awareness from the noise of our thoughts down to the heart-center of our bodies. If this sounds like it could be helpful for you, you’re in the right place and I encourage you to reach out using the link below.
What you’ll gain:
With Polyvagal therapy, you can…
Improve your self-regulation skills.
Work on strengthening your awareness of your body, when you’ve been used to living in your mind.
No longer feel out of control, out of sync, and disconnected.
Gain the ability to regulate, so you can feel confident in your ability to navigate challenges.
Learn how to listen to the messages your body is telling you.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
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Polyvagal Theory was developed by a neuroscientist named Dr. Stephen Porges. Dr. Porges discovered how our nervous system shapes the way we connect with others and ourselves through responding to perceptions of safety and danger.
Deb Dana, a clinician and therapist, translated his research into practical, compassionate tools for therapy, leading many therapists to begin practicing “Polyvagal therapy.” This modality of therapy teaches clients how to work with their nervous systems, in order to build resilience and regulation.
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Unlike approaches that focus mainly on thoughts or behaviors, Polyvagal therapy starts with the nervous system: the part of us that decides whether we feel safe, threatened, or shut down. Instead of trying to “think your way” out of anxiety or overwhelm, this approach helps you feel your way back into regulation by working with the body’s natural responses.
Polyvagal therapy is a gentle and compassionate practice that can help you shift long-held patterns not through force, but through safety, connection, and self-understanding.
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If you’d like specific recommendations, please feel free to contact me for a list of resources you may find helpful.
Otherwise, here are some great places to start:
Books
The Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges
Polyvagal Theory in Therapy by Deb Dana
Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection by Deb Dana
Anchored by Deb Dana
Websites & Articles
Deb Dana’s official website “Rhythm of Regulation” — Practical tools and articles
Stephen Porges’s official website — An overview of Polyvagal Theory
Videos & Podcasts
The Polyvagal Podcast by Deb Dana
You Make Sense by Sarah Baldwin
Therapist Uncensored episode 110: “Story Follows State — Investigating Polyvagal Theory with Deb Dana”
Audiobooks
Befriending Your Nervous System by Deb Dana
At the end of the day…
I want you to know that I’m here to create a therapeutic experience tailored to you. There is a connectedness in the human experience, but there is also a uniqueness in your own story. This is your time and space, and you can ask for what you need out of it.
Whatever it is that you’re experiencing, you don’t have to do it alone.
Get in touch
Change is possible.
Reach out to me if you’d like to schedule a day and time for a free, confidential phone consultation.
discover your inner anchor of Safe & Connected.
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discover your inner anchor of Safe & Connected. —