Polyvagal Theory (PVT) provides a profound healing pathway to bring a sense of safety and connection to dysregulated nervous states. Internal Family Systems (IFS) is the revolutionary framework that helps clients stuck in (mal)adaptive survival states – fight, flight, freeze, or numb – connect with their inner worlds.  When these two powerful frameworks come together, they don’t just complement each other—they create an entirely new frontier. By integrating the emotional depth of IFS with the physiological wisdom of Polyvagal Theory, therapists gain a roadmap to navigate the complex interplay between Parts, Self, and the nervous system. This is where deep, sustainable healing begins.

In this cutting-edge course with hands-on application, we learn how IFS helps clients to create a safe relationship with their hyperaroused & hypoaroused parts, as well as parts that are stuck in adaptive survival responses. This underpins the secure platform that allows Polyvagal Theory to help us gently guide our clients’ nervous systems towards regulation and help them tap into their own capacity for healing.

Why the Synergy of IFS and Polyvagal Theory Matters

Imagine a therapy session where a client is deeply engaged, yet no progress seems to stick. Perhaps it’s because their Parts remain trapped in survival-driven nervous system states, unable to access the safety needed for healing. Now, imagine offering those same clients a pathway to truly feel safe—not just intellectually, but on a physiological level—allowing their Parts to emerge from fear and their Self to take the lead. This is the story of how neuroscience and emotional attunement amplify each other—creating therapeutic possibilities that were previously out of reach.

This integration isn’t just about layering two frameworks; it is about using them as a synergetic duo to address the body, mind, and emotions as a unified whole. Together, they provide a revolutionary pathway to:

• Decode the profound influence of the nervous system on emotional states and behavioural patterns
• Foster the felt sense of safety required for clients to access adaptive states, embody their Self and find connection through unifying their wounded/protective parts
• Transform stuck cycles of fear, shame, and avoidance into opportunities for true healing and growth

Consider Mia, a 34-year-old client who comes to therapy feeling “broken.” She describes her life as a series of anxious blurs—days where she feels detached and robotic, followed by nights spent battling relentless self-criticism. “Why do I keep shutting down?” she asks, her voice tinged with despair. Mia is stuck in a state of physiological freeze, her nervous system protecting her from pain too overwhelming to face directly.

Polyvagal-informed IFS reveals a deeper truth: Mia’s shutdown isn’t failure—it’s survival. Her Parts, shaped by past trauma, have learned that safety can only be found in emotional numbness. The work begins with co-regulation—helping Mia feel safe enough in the therapeutic space to soften her body’s defences. Slowly, she begins to reconnect with her Parts, listening to their pain without judgment.

One session, a breakthrough occurs. Mia identifies a protector Part that always says, “Just don’t feel—it’s easier this way.” With compassion, Mia learns that this Part is trying to shield her from rejection she experienced as a child. Guided by her Self, she begins to unburden this protector, offering it the safety and validation it has long sought. Her nervous system shifts, her freeze state begins to thaw, and for the first time, Mia feels the faint flicker of hope.

This is the power of Polyvagal-informed IFS: it doesn’t just explain why clients feel stuck—it provides a pathway for true transformation.

This training goes beyond theory, equipping you with actionable tools that integrate body, mind, and emotions in a unified therapeutic framework. You’ll leave with the ability to:

1. Decode Nervous System States in Therapy: Learn to interpret nervous system activation and its impact on Parts dynamics, enabling you to identify when clients are in fight, flight, freeze, or social engagement states. This insight allows for precise, informed interventions.
2. Create Safety Through Co-Regulation: Master techniques to co-regulate with clients, using Polyvagal-informed practices to help them feel physiologically safe—an essential precursor for deeper therapeutic work.
3. Guide Clients from Survival to Self-Leadership: Develop skills to help clients transition from survival-driven behaviours to accessing their Self, fostering emotional resilience and self-compassion.
4. Tailor Interventions to Trauma Histories: Gain expertise in adapting mindfulness and IFS strategies for clients with trauma, attachment wounds, or chronic dysregulation. Learn when and how to sequence interventions to prevent overwhelm and maximise effectiveness.
5. Facilitate Experiential Learning: Engage in guided exercises that bring theory to life, allowing you to practice integrating Polyvagal Theory with IFS in a hands-on, experiential way.
6. Move Beyond Symptom Relief: Equip clients with tools to sustain emotional regulation and connection, enabling them to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and ease.

Therapy is not just about understanding—it’s about transformation. By integrating the relational depth of IFS with the physiological grounding of Polyvagal Theory, this training offers a framework that’s as revolutionary as it is practical.

Led by Stacy Ruse, a leader in Polyvagal-informed care and IFS integration, this course blends cutting-edge theory with hands-on application. You’ll leave with not just knowledge, but the tools to create lasting impact in your clients’ lives. This is your opportunity to master the pioneering framework that brings the body and mind into harmony for lasting healing and growth. Reserve your spot today and be a part of the next stage evolution in therapeutic healing.

© nscience 2024 / 2025