The Polyvagal Certificate Course:
Safety, Connection, and the Human Experience
An in-depth exploration of the Polyvagal Theory and its application
to our personal and professional lives, Dr. Stephen Porges
and our team of leading experts in the fields of neuroscience, healthcare, and therapeutics offer a course that
explores Polyvagal Theory like no other.
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Registration for our upcoming cohort
(with live sessions beginning in January 2025) is now OPEN!
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Click below for details and to enroll today.
A Letter from Dr. Porges
Since its inception in 2020, Polyvagal Institute has been sharing and teaching the foundations of Polyvagal Theory and its application in both personal and professional environments. Through numerous book publications, webinars, live events, and courses, PVI has brought my work and research to learners and practitioners around the globe.
It is with great excitement and pride that we bring you The Polyvagal Certificate Course: Safety, Connection and the Human Experience. Unlike any other course available, this comprehensive study of Polyvagal Theory explores key principles through interactive lectures, embodiment practices, and multidisciplinary discussions.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community of learners.
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-Dr. Stephen W. Porges,
Developer of Polyvagal Theory and Co-founder of Polyvagal Institute
Course Overview
Polyvagal Institute delivers the flagship educational experience for understanding and applying Polyvagal Theory and principles to life.
The purpose of The Polyvagal Certificate Course is to provide a comprehensive and interactive Polyvagal Theory learning experience for a broad audience of those looking to apply polyvagal principles to their personal and/or professional lives. Students finish this course equipped with practices, concepts, and a community to embody and refine their application of polyvagal principles whether it is with themselves, their families, friends, clients, or colleagues.
An option to earn 35 CEs is available for psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs, and nurses.
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Class size is limited to offer you the best interactive learning experience possible; register early, our cohorts fill fast!
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Registration is now open for
Cohort 6
with live sessions beginning in
January 2025
The Polyvagal Certificate Course Outline
Join our waitlist to be notified when registration opens for our next cohorts!
Live sessions include 9 live classes (2 hours each) and 2 live discussions (1 hour each).
Additionally, your small Practice Pod will gather for 90 minutes each month.
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Module 1 - Our Autonomic Nervous System
Module 2 - Hierarchy - Our Neurophysiological States
Module 3 - Neuroception - Our Threat and Safety System
First Live Discussion with Dr. Porges (one hour)
Module 4 - Listening to Our Bodies
Module 5 - Co-regulation: How Our Nervous Systems Speak to Each Other
Module 6 - Movement and Self-Regulation
Module 7 - Community as Medicine
Module 8 - Relationships: Home to Workplace
Second Live Discussion with Dr. Porges (one hour)
Module 9 - Living Polyvagal
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Module order, schedule, and instructors may vary by cohort.
An optional Course Welcome Session is held one week prior to your first live session to introduce you to our learning platform, online community, and course expectations.
Already enrolled in a cohort?
View your course schedule here:
Cohort 4 Schedule (August 2024-December 2024)
Cohort 5 Schedule (October 2024-February 2025)
Cohort 6 Schedule (January 2025-May 2025)
"Our biological imperative is to connect with others. Humans are not able to flourish without connection."
-Dr. Stephen Porges, developer of Polyvagal Theory
In this course, you'll dive deeper into your understanding of the human nervous system and the role the vagus nerve plays in responding to perceived threat and stressors.
From self-regulation to co-regulation, you'll learn the science behind community and connection, and how feelings of safety and trust impact our social interactions and sense of resilience so that we can grow and thrive.
Meet Your Instructors
This course is led by your team of expert instructors, including Dr. Stephen Porges, developer of the Polyvagal Theory and co-founder of Polyvagal Institute. Our online classrooms are trauma-informed spaces of safety and belonging, and our instructors each bring their own unique perspective, experience, and expertise to the course content.
Stephen Porges
The Polyvagal Certificate Course
We believe this course is special. Really special. Here are a few reasons why:
Dr. porges
Live discussions with Dr. Stephen Porges, the developer of Polyvagal Theory and a founder of Polyvagal Institute.
THe PVI Flagship
This is the most comprehensive course Polyvagal Institute has ever offered on the topic of Polyvagal Theory. This is the one you have been waiting for!
multi-languages
This course is offered in multiple languages through our international partners. Find them on our International Partners page!
live teaching
Live sessions and over 30 hours of course time offer you conversation and connection so you can learn in the moment with our global community.
practice pods
Connect with people learning alongside you in monthly Practice Pods over the duration of the course. Build your professional network by interacting on our PVI Online Community Space.
certificate
Earn a certificate from Polyvagal Institute, the founding source for learning about the Polyvagal Theory. Psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs, and nurses may choose to earn an optional 35 CEs.
Enroll Now
Additional cohort dates will be announced soon!
6
Cohort 6
begins January 15, 2025
​meets live-online
Wednesdays, 3:00-5:00pm ET​
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You will meet with your cohort on the following dates:
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January 15, 2025
January 29, 2025
February 5, 2025
February 19, 2025
March 5, 2025
March 19, 2025
April 2, 2025
April 16, 2025
April 30, 2025
May 7, 2025
May 21, 2025
Click below to register now-
Cohorts fill quickly.
After you enroll you will be invited to an optional Course Welcome Session.
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Cohort 6: Optional Welcome Session on Wednesday, January 8, 3:00-4:00pm ET
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Hosted by the PVI staff who will be supporting you during the course, we will give you a tour of course resources such as our learning platform and online community, and review course expectations
(including CE requirements and earning the Polyvagal-Informed Certificate).
This will be recorded for those unable to attend in real time.
This live session is not required and not a part of CE requirements.
We look forward to meeting you!
Scroll down for pricing information and a link to our Scholarship Application.
Why should I take this course?
There is no other training program available that offers the depth and breadth of this exclusive certificate program. This is the Polyvagal Institute’s flagship course, a fully comprehensive look at Polyvagal Theory and its applications.
Outside of lectures, practice pods, and discussions, learners will continue to inquire and converse within a private, digital platform, the Polyvagal Institute Online Community Space. You’ll be simultaneously immersed in the broader, supportive polyvagal community of informed individuals, professionals and fellow learners.
Upon completion of the modules, learners will be awarded a Certificate from Polyvagal Institute. Polyvagal Institute affirms that certificate training results in a polyvagal-informed level of knowledge and application.
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Your certificate not only showcases your personal and professional accomplishment, it distinguishes you from your peers and shows your clients, your colleagues, and employer your continued dedication to improving environments, experiences, and outcomes.
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*Please note: Because we are not an accrediting agency, neither the Certificate of Completion nor the Polyvagal-Informed Certificate offers licensure of any kind. However, the Polyvagal Institute affirms that certificate training results in a polyvagal-informed level of knowledge and application.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is designed for a variety of educational backgrounds. Material is accessible to anyone with at least a high school diploma, equivalent secondary education, and beyond.
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Mental health practitioners, life and wellness coaches, educators, executives and anyone interested in gaining a full understanding of both the science and the application of Polyvagal Theory. The core curriculum will be supplemented with some optional advanced readings to satiate learners with advanced degrees.
Learner Agreement
Polyvagal Theory teaches that community is an essential part of the human experience. At PVI, we strive to create a safe learning environment conducive to connection and belonging. Please take a moment to read the following details as you prepare to join this course.
Time Commitment
This course is composed of 9 live classes (2 hours each) and 2 live discussions (1 hour each) for a total of 20 hours of live-online course time. You'll also meet with your Practice Pod virtually once a month for 90 minutes of practice, inquiry, and discussion, providing additional learning and connection. The time you choose to dedicate to practice and study outside of the course meetings is up to you, but a minimum of 1-2 hours a week is recommended to get the most out of the course.
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If you are unable to attend a course meeting, you will have access to the course for 10 months/300 days from the day of your enrollment, so if you are unable to attend a live session, you will be able to catch up on the recording. Additionally, you will have weekly assessments and journaling assignments, and the opportunity to connect with other learners in a private online group setting via the PVI Online Community Space.
Financial Investment
Community Price $2100 or three payments of $700
additional option of seven payments of $300 also available
Supporter Price* $2400 or three payments of $800
You'll select your price point from a drop-down menu
during the registration process.
* If you feel that you are financially able to pay the Supporter price, the extra funds from your enrollment will go towards scholarships for other learners in this course. Thank you for contributing to the PVI community in this way!
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Optional Continuing Education Credits (CEs)
An optional 35 CEs for psychologists, LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs, and nurses
are available for purchase for an additional $85 after you enroll.
CEs are provided by co-sponsor Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA).
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A note about CEs:
If you're pursuing optional continuing education credits (CEs) to support the maintenance of a professional license (usually only applicable to students located in the U.S.), please note that 100% live attendance is required for the entirety of this course in order to be eligible (this includes attending all live classes, live discussions, and live discussions with your practice pod).
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Gift Certificates
PVI now has gift certificates available for any of our courses!! Get one here to provide this learning experience to a friend or family member.
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Scholarships
If you need financial assistance to enroll in this course, please fill out our Scholarship Application here.
Scholarship funding is limited.
Multilingual Learning
Our International Partners offer this course in French, German, Italian, Polish, and other languages.. Please consider enrolling with them if you are not comfortable learning in English. ​​​