The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory

The Transformative Power of Feeling Safe

By: Stephen W. Porges

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

When The Polyvagal Theory was published in 2011, it took the therapeutic world by storm, bringing Stephen Porges's insights about the autonomic nervous system to a clinical audience interested in understanding trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

The book made accessible to clinicians and other professionals a polyvagal perspective that provided new concepts and insights for understanding human behavior. The perspective placed an emphasis on the important link between psychological experiences and physical manifestations in the body. That book was brilliant but also quite challenging to read for some.

Since publication of that book, Stephen Porges has been urged to make these ideas more accessible and The Pocket Guide to the Polyvagal Theory is the result. Constructs and concepts embedded in polyvagal theory are explained conversationally in The Pocket Guide and there is an introductory chapter which discusses the science and the scientific culture in which polyvagal theory was originally developed.

Publication of this work enables Stephen Porges to expand the meaning and clinical relevance of this groundbreaking theory.

©2017 Stephen W. Porges (P)2020 Tantor

Excellent read on Polyvagal Theory!

I've been reading numerous books on Polyvagal Theory, from the complexities of the nervous system to how we can apply the theory. This book is an excellent read on Polyvagal Theory to help sum up and bring the ideas to life in a lighter way than the science, yet how Feeling Safe is a human value to be honored -- because our nervous systems need it to rejuvenate.

Monotone narration

Good content, but the monotone narration is hard to listen to. Ironically, one of things the book discusses is prosody, including why it so hard to listen to a monotone professor, but the narration sounds as though it is being done by a “monotone professor.”

Skip the glossary!

This book begins with an hour long reading of the terms in the glossary. While I understand why- this book contains a lot of scientific terminology- its a slow start. So I skipped the glossary and moved on to the discussion part of the book where things picked up. This book is full of useful information about polyvagal theory, and only at times got a bit too technical for me, your average traumatized human with a deep interest in healing and understanding. Otherwise I really enjoyed this intro to polyvagal theory and it was easy to see how this would apply in real life. It changed the lens through which I see behavior in general. I will probably listen again to further digest all the information offered.

Polyvagal Theory as a basis of Treatment.

The interview format was interesting in that the application possibilities for therapy were explored. It is also informative to hear how the developer of this theory understands it's practical use. He discusses the changing state of our physical bodies and how that is related to different parts of our neurologic systems. I would highly recommend this book to all MFTS, Social Workers, and Psycholigists, and anyone else who works with trauma, substance use and individuals who are at risk.

Required reading for clinicians!

This book helped to click all the pieces in place! Yes it is highly technical and often difficult to follow if you do not have a medical degree. I had to read it twice and it was completely worth it