Trauma and Addiction with Jan Winhall

This webinar is hosted by Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) and the Managed Care Technical Assistant Center (MCTAC)

During this important training, we will hear about The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model™ (FSPM) and how it shifts the current pathologizing paradigm to a strength-based approach. Through the lens of Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal theory, addiction is seen as an adaptive stress response in our autonomic nervous system. Addictive behaviors are the body’s attempt to emotionally regulate by acting as propellers that facilitate neurophysiological shifts in our nervous system. The model integrates Porges Polyvagal theory and Gendlin’s Felt Sense Focusing Oriented Psychotherapy enabling us to appreciate trauma/addictive behaviors as adaptive responses in maladaptive environments. The FSPM provides a generic framework that can support any therapeutic modality.

The webinar will present an introduction to Jan’s book Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, Routledge, 2021. Included is a description of the FSPM theoretical framework including a description of basic concepts in polyvagal theory. There will be a brief introduction to The Embodied Assessment and Treatment Tool™ and we will use Carnes Three Circle Practice, a tool for working with addiction. Participants will also learn about Gendlin’s Focusing/Felt Sense practice. A mixture of didactic information, experiential practices, and case examples will guide the clinician in applying the model. This course will be informative for those new to the field of trauma/addiction as well as seasoned practitioners.

Register here: https://calendar.ctacny.org/event/?id=1562