Book Summary: The Polyvagal Theory, Stephen Porges, Ph.D., (2011) W.W.Norton & Co., New York.
This professionally-oriented book has what is possibly the longest subtitle of the decade, “Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation”. When I was a graduate student every word of that subtitle was either a full course or at least a major topic of research by my professors. The word “polyvagal had not yet been coined. What polyvagal refers to is the 10th cranial nerve – what Darwin called the “phnemogastric” nerve. It connects the heart, the lungs and the gut and it is fundamental not only to our emotional reaction to the world and to others but also to our understanding and sensing of the meanings and intentions of others.
I did a some training recently with Dr. Porges and had a chance to observe a man with incredible insight into the interior life of others. His polyvagal theory can guide the professional clinician to see and think differently about clients. Presenting problems as different as depression, borderline personality disorder, autism and PTSD are all shown to be related to interpersonal neurobiology – the ways in which nervous systems interact with one another. Out of this emerges a very clear message that our paramount duty to clients is to provide a sense of safety so that change can be risked and achieved.
ISBN: 978-0-393-70700-7
