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Understanding Your Nervous System: What is Polyvagal Therapy?

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, is a groundbreaking framework that helps us understand how our nervous system responds to stress, trauma, and safety. Polyvagal-Informed Therapy helps you move out of "survival mode" and back into a state of emotional balance. Instead of just talking about your problems, we focus on the biology of your emotions. By understanding the "vagus nerve" and its role in your body's stress response, I can help you rewire how your body reacts to the world around it.

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Every individual’s journey is unique. I integrate these polyvagal techniques thoughtfully and will utilize this specific modality when I determine it is clinically appropriate for your unique needs and goals.

 

How Polyvagal Therapy Helps You Heal

 

Your nervous system has three primary states. Many people in therapy feel "stuck" in the wrong one:
 

  1. Fight or Flight (Sympathetic): Feeling anxious, panicked, or overwhelmed.

  2. Shutdown/Freeze (Dorsal Vagal): Feeling numb, depressed, unmotivated, or "checked out."

  3. Safety & Connection (Ventral Vagal): Feeling calm, present, and capable of handling life.

 

I provide tools for nervous system regulation, helping clients in Andover and throughout Kansas recognize when they are in a stress state and learn how to return to a place of safety and calm.

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Online Polyvagal Therapy: Access From Anywhere in Kansas

 

Nervous system regulation is uniquely suited for Online Therapy. We utilize secure telehealth platforms to guide you through somatic (body-based) exercises from the safety of your own home. Whether you are in Wichita, Dodge City, or Overland Park, you can access specialized care to help calm your anxiety and heal your trauma.

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Polyvagal Therapy FAQ

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Is Polyvagal therapy different from standard "Talk Therapy"?
Yes. While we still talk about your experiences, we pay close attention to your body's physical sensations (like heart rate, breathing, and tension). We focus on "bottom-up" healing—calming the body first so the mind can follow.

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What conditions does this approach help with?
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy is exceptionally effective for chronic anxiety, PTSD, depression, and "burnout." It is also highly beneficial for people who feel "disconnected" from their bodies or emotions.

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Can I do this in person in Andover?
Absolutely. For clients near Andover or East Wichita, our office provides a quiet, "vagal-friendly" environment specifically designed to make your nervous system feel safe and supported during our sessions.

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Quick Tips to Regulate Your Nervous System Today

 

If you are feeling overwhelmed or "stuck," these three simple techniques can help stimulate your Vagus Nerve and signal to your brain that you are safe.

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  1. The Physiological Sigh
    Inhale deeply through your nose until your lungs are nearly full, then take one more quick "sip" of air at the very top. Exhale very slowly through your mouth as if you are blowing through a straw. Repeat this 3 times to quickly lower your heart rate.

  2. Cold Water Splash
    Splashing cold water on your face—specifically around your eyes and forehead—can trigger the "Mammalian Dive Reflex." This instantly shifts your nervous system from a high-stress "Fight or Flight" state into a calmer mode.

  3. Mindful Humming or Chanting
    The Vagus Nerve passes right by your vocal cords. Humming a low-pitched tone or even singing your favorite song creates vibrations that physically stimulate the nerve, helping you move from a "Freeze" or "Shutdown" state back into a sense of connection.

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