My favourite Polyvagal suggestions, links, podcasts, videos and reading recommendations

Polyvagal Favourites

Quick primer (and my IFS + Polyvagal notes)

• Polyvagal + IFS notes and video from our 2023 Stroud IFS Drop-In: https://www.stroudtherapy.com/news/polyvagalandifs

• Seth Porges’ lively “Nerd Nite” introduction to Polyvagal Theory (great overview). Amazon

Books

Core texts

• Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation — Deb Dana. Practical cornerstone for clinicians.

• Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client-Centered Practices — Deb Dana.

• Clinical Applications of the Polyvagal Theory — Stephen Porges & Deb Dana.

• Polyvagal Safety: Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation — Stephen W. Porges (2021). Stephen Porges PhD

Newer / notable additions (since 2022)

• Polyvagal Practices: Anchoring the Self in Safety — Deb Dana (2023). Short, practice-forward; includes a fresh overview chapter. VitalSourcelabyrinthbooks.com

• Our Polyvagal World: How Safety and Trauma Change Us — Stephen W. Porges & Seth Porges (2023). Accessible, story-rich primer (also on audio). Amazon+1wiley.com

• The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma — Arielle Schwartz (New Harbinger, 2025). Hands-on exercises for nervous-system healing. Arielle Schwartz, PhD

Tip: The Polyvagal Institute keeps a current bookstore page with recent releases. Polyvagal Institute

Articles, explainers, and summaries

• Stephen Porges: official book list and publications (good for tracking what’s new). Stephen Porges PhD

• A clear lay overview of Polyvagal Theory for general readers. Verywell Mind

Podcasts, talks, and demos

• Deb Dana: Polyvagal meets IFS (conversation on bringing the models together). Amazon

• Stephen Porges interview: “How safe do you feel? Revolutionising mental health with Polyvagal Theory.” Amazon

Practice tools and programs

• Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): overview of the listening intervention; playlists and pathways. Unyte Integrated Listening

• SSP Freely: 2023 playlist option (adds vocal music; same underlying algorithms). Unyte Integrated Listening

• SSP podcast for clinicians and users. Apple Podcasts

Recent write-ups and use cases: Relationship Enrichment Center
Emerging research example (autistic children + OT): research.aota.org

How I integrate Polyvagal with IFS (in practice)

• I treat Polyvagal as the physiological platform that underpins parts work: map state shifts (ventral / sympathetic / dorsal), then invite Self-energy to lead. Co-regulation is not a “nice-to-have”—it’s biologically essential, and we intentionally build it into sessions and groups.

A few grounded takeaways

• Hierarchy, neuroception, and co-regulation are the three big anchors for everyday use.

• Vagal tone builds with repetition and relationship; change is often measured in months/years, not days (and that’s normal).

• No “ventral supremacy.” We aim for flexibility and flow—not staying in one state at all times.
  

A Polyvagal Library

• Anchored How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory by Deb Dana (Nov 2021)

·       Clinical Applications of The Polyvagal Theory: The Emergence of Polyvagal-Informed Therapies, Stephen W. Porges and Deb A. Dana

·       Polyvagal Theory in Therapy: Engaging the Rhythm of Regulation, Deb A Dana

·       Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection: 50 Client-Centered Practices by Deb Dana

·       Brain-body connection may ease autistic people’s social problems by Stephen Porges

·       Making the World Safe for our Children: Down-regulating Defence and Up-regulating Social Engagement to ‘Optimise’ the Human Experience by Stephen Porges

·       Neuroception: A Subconscious System for Detecting Threats and Safety by Stephen W. Porges

·       Polyvagal Theory: A Primer by Stephen W. Porges

·       Vagal Pathways: Portals to Compassion by Stephen W. Porges

Warm wishes

Natasha