"The Focusing Teacher Training was eye-opening to me. To learn strategies how to make the Felt Sense available for people who are newly introduced to Focusing helped me in my practice with clients and in my own Focusing experience. It deepened my understanding of the 6 steps and the philosophy behind them, and I am truly grateful for the knowledge I received." -Elizabeth, former student
Course Timing
We are currently scheduling the next cohort of this course. Please contact us for details.
Course Description
Participants in this course will learn how to teach polyvagal-informed focusing, based on Jan Winhall’s Felt Sense Polyvagal Model. Specific tools and strategies will be shared so that you will feel confident in teaching focusing and the basics of the FSPM. You will receive detailed and interactive material on teaching the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model in any group or individual settings.
By reflecting on learning principles, group process, and program development, participants will be prepared to integrate FSPM into any setting. Topics to be examined include how to teach the basics of Polyvagal Theory, interoception, neuroception, co-regulation, the 6-fs, felt-sense, focusing attitude, establishing focusing partnerships, the experiencing scale, and more. In this course, participants will learn specific strategies and resources to build safety while working with blocks, and inner critics.
This course is for anyone who has completed The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model: A Certificate for Treating Trauma and Addiction, including earning the Focusing Proficiency Award, and is interested in teaching polyvagal-informed focusing in a variety of settings.
Payment Information
This course costs $599. You will have access to the course for 300 days from your registration date.
Course Requirements
This course is for anyone who has completed The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model: A Certificate for Treating Trauma and Addiction, including earning the Focusing Proficiency Award, and is interested in teaching polyvagal-informed focusing in a variety of settings.
What participants will commit to:
▪ To attend all six monthly 2 hour on-line sessions inclusive of lecture and participation small group breakouts (arrangements can be made for a maximum of 1 make-up session. Sessions will be recorded.)
▪ To maintain a focusing partnership meeting bi-weekly (12h total) throughout the course.
▪ To complete three assignments, including video recordings of themselves teaching, which directly contributes to completion of this certificate and the development of their plan to integrate FSPM.
Course Format
Course Framework
What participants can expect:
▪ To learn how to teach Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, including Polyvagal Informed Focusing (PIF), to others in a group or individual setting
▪ To receive resources, tips and strategies that can be adapted and used within their unique communities / specific populations
▪ To share and learn from others as active participants in monthly sessions
▪ To gain a greater awareness of themselves, especially as teachers, through self-exploration and focusing partnerships
Format:
▪ Each session will be 2 hours on-line through the Zoom platform
▪ Each session begins with an attunement / centering / clearing space. Participants will have an opportunity to practice delivering the opening.
▪ Each session will include a theoretical teaching. The teaching component will highlight the skill, theory and application. Participants will gather and create a toolbox of resources and teaching strategies.
▪ Each session will include an experiential component where participants can practice the skills through demonstrations and group exercises. Practices can continue with your focusing partner.
▪ Each session will have a closing exercise to round off the sessions, summarize the learning, and identify the home practice. The session will conclude with a grounding exercise as we move to the rest of our day.
Recommended Audience
Course Outcomes
Upon completion of all three courses, participants qualify to become Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Facilitators:
(1) Focusing Trainer Certification from The International Focusing Institute
(2) A certificate of completion from Polyvagal Institute
Completion of this training will equip Facilitators to lead addiction groups based on the FSPM. Where possible leading a breakout group for three sessions in the FSPM Certificate Course will enhance your learning.
You are eligible to become a Certified Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Facilitator once you have completed all the following requirements:
1) Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Certificate course, including 100% live class attendance, completion of all process recordings, and completion of course materials
2) Embodied Assessment Treatment Tool & Practice Lab course, including 100% attendance, completion of process recordings, and completion of course materials
3) Polyvagal-Informed Focusing Teacher Training, including 100% attendance, completion of process recordings, completion of course materials, and receipt of the Focusing Trainer Certification.
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What is the attendance policy for a course?Live/Hybrid courses: While specific course policies may vary, we typically allow one absence for a live or hybrid course and require watching the recording and/or sometimes submitting a reflection for the missed session. If a participant is absent for more than the permissible number of live sessions, they may no longer be eligible to receive their certificate. Self-paced courses: Attendance does not apply to self-paced courses as they are designed to be consumed when the student is willing and able to take the course. All material is pre-recorded content, reading, or individual assignments. Please note that if you are enrolled in a course that offers CEs (continuing education credits) and you have opted to earn them, specific attendance policies apply and must be adhered to in order for you to remain eligible to earn CEs at the end of the course. Contact us for details if you are unsure of the attendance policy for your particular course!
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How and where are live sessions held?Live sessions are held online via Zoom. You will find your course Zoom link inside the course content on our Learning Platform once you enroll; email reminders with the Zoom link are sent to enrolled students. While having your camera on is not required, you are invited to turn your camera on during your live course session; this allows you to share in co-regulation with other learners and to build a sense of community.
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What if I am unable to attend a live session?We upload recordings of our live course sessions to our Learning Platform within 72 hours for you to view. (Please see the attendance policy above.)
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How can I tell what time the live session will be in my local time zone?To convert live course session meeting times to your local timezone, please use a conversion website like this.
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Where can I find the course material?PVI uses a Learning Platform (LMS) called Thinkific. Upon enrolling in a course, you will receive an email invite to access the course in Thinkific. This is where you'll find all of the course materials, links, and class community.
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Is this course accredited?PVI is the founding home of Polyvagal Theory, and we believe our courses offer the most accurate and up to date content about Polyvagal Theory and its many applications. There is no accrediting body for this type of curriculum. Our course descriptions will list any continuing education credits (CEs/ CEUs) or other professional benefits that might be available for the course (along with any applicable restrictions). If CEs are not listed for a particular course, then none are available.
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How do I reset my password to the PVI Learning Platform?You can reset your password by going to https://pvi.thinkific.com/users/sign_in and clicking the “Forgot Password?” link. You will then enter the email address you used when creating your account to receive a one-time password reset link. Use the instructions in that email to complete your password reset. If you have any other technical questions, feel free to reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org.
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Is there closed captioning?Yes. Most of our pre-recorded course content is hosted on a platform that offers closed captioning. If you come across a video that does not have closed captioning, please send us a message at info@polyvagal.org and we will be glad to assist you.
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In which currency are your prices listed in?Our prices are listed in USD (United States Dollars). Your credit card or bank statement will likely reflect the price in your local currency.
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Will I be charged sales tax?If you are located in the US or Canada, you will be charged sales tax on the cost of your course.
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Are there scholarships available?Yes, PVI offers scholarships for all of our courses on a rolling basis. You can apply for a scholarship at https://forms.gle/vvfQdyAtw3k79LpM9.
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Are there group discounts?Yes. For groups of five or more participants, a 15% discount is available for each participant. Please contact us at info@polyvagal.org to inquire and to enroll as a group!
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What is your refund policy?We are proud to offer a 30 day Money Back Guarantee for all of our courses (from date of purchase for self-paced courses and from date of first live session for live courses). Please reach out to us at info@polyvagal.org if you'd like to inquire about a refund.
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Can I purchase a gift certificate for PVI courses?Give the gift of learning! Yes, Polyvagal Institute offers digital gift certificates that arrive by email, and can be used towards any of our courses. Gift certificates are a simple way to share polyvagal insight and knowledge that stems from a better understanding of the human experience. Purchase a gift certificate now!
INSTRUCTOR(S)
Jan Winhall, MSW, RSW, FOT
Jan Winhall, M.S.W. F.O.T. is an author, teacher and seasoned trauma and addiction psychotherapist. She is an Educational Partner and Course Developer with the Polyvagal Institute where she created a comprehensive training program based on her book Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, Routledge 2021. She is an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Toronto and a Certifying Co-Ordinator with the International Focusing Institute. Jan is a Focusing Oriented Therapist and Co-Director of the Borden Street Clinic where she supervises graduate students. She is currently working on a workbook based on her book that is due out next year with Norton.
Jan Winhall, MSW, RSW, FOT
Nancy Falls, Ed.D., RP, Certified FSPM Facilitator
Nancy Falls, Ed.D., RP, Certified FSPM Facilitator
Nancy Falls, Ed.D., RP is a Certifying Coordinator with The International Focusing Institute. She is a Focusing Oriented psychotherapist in private practice with over 30 years of experience working with children, youth and adults who have experienced trauma and resulting coping strategies such as addictions. Nancy and Jan trained with Gendlin many years ago and have often taught together. She has published in the area of developing presence. She is a FSPM Facilitator.
Samantha Chase, M.S.W, Certified FSPM Facilitator
Certified FSPM Facilitator, Samantha Chase, trained with the inaugural cohort of this course and will co-instruct. Samantha Chase, M.S.W. is a certified Focusing Trainer with The International Focusing Institute (TIFI), a Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Facilitator, and a passionate mental health advocate and clinician. Following several years of work in community mental health services, she now operates a private practice working with trauma and addiction. She has presented internationally on the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model in the areas of trauma and addiction. Sam is currently training with Jan to become a Focusing Oriented Therapist. She assists Jan in many international trainings.
Samantha Chase, M.S.W, Certified FSPM Facilitator
