The Polyvagal Certificate Course:
Safety, Connection, and the Human Experience
Become Polyvagal-Informed™ by learning with PVI-
the founding home of Polyvagal Theory.
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In this 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 from the fields
of neuroscience, healthcare, and mental health
offer a course that explores Polyvagal Theory like no other.
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Our upcoming cohorts
with live sessions beginning in June 2025 and September 2025
are now open for registration.​
Our cohorts fill quickly, so early registration is recommended!
An Invitation 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.
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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. ​
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When you enroll in an upcoming cohort, you’ll participate in a live Q&A session with me, AND receive an ongoing invitation to sit in on my Q&A sessions with all future cohorts. This ensures you have continuous access to evolving insights, fresh discussions, and the latest advancements in the field.
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 earning the Polyvagal-Informed™ Certificate from Polyvagal Institute, 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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Cohort 8 with live sessions beginning in June 2025, and Cohort 9 with live sessions beginning in September 2025 are now open for enrollment.
Course Outline
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 - Surveilling Safety and Detecting Threat
Live Discussion with a Special Guest Expert (one hour)
Module 4 - Interoception: Listening to Your Body
Module 5 - Co-regulation and Safety in Connection: Biological, Cultural and Societal Implications
Module 6 - Polyvagal Theory, Movement, and Regulation: An Embodied Approach to Trauma Recovery
Module 7 - Community as Medicine
Module 8 - Polyvagal Theory and Human Relationships
Live Discussion with Dr. Porges (one hour)*
Module 9 - Engaging with the Art of Inquiry and Practice​​​​​​
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Module order, schedule, instructors, and Special Guest Expert 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. ​​​
*NEW! When you join an upcoming cohort, you’ll participate in a live Q&A session with Dr. Porges, AND receive an ongoing invitation to sit in on his Q&A sessions with all future cohorts. This ensures you have continuous access to evolving insights, fresh discussions, and the latest advancements in the field.
Already enrolled in a cohort?
View your course schedule here:
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:
NEW BONUS!
When you join an upcoming cohort, you’ll participate in a live Q&A session with Dr. Porges, AND receive an ongoing invitation to sit in on his Q&A sessions with all future cohorts. This ensures you have continuous access to evolving insights, fresh discussions, and the latest advancements in the field.
Dr. porges
Engage in live discussion 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. Special Guest Experts bring new perspectives to the curriculum.
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 special Course Communities online.
certificate
Earn a Polyvagal-Informed™ 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
Cohort 8
begins June 11, 2025
​meets live-online
Wednesdays, 11am-1:00pm ET​
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You will meet with your cohort on the following dates:
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June 11, 2025
June 25, 2025
July 2, 2025
July 23, 2025
August 6, 2025
August 20, 2025
August 27, 2025
September 3, 2025
September 24, 2025
October 15, 2025
October 29, 2025
Our cohorts fill quickly, early registration is recommended!
Cohort 9
begins September 15, 2025
​meets live-online
Mondays, 12pm-2:00 pm ET
You will meet with your cohort on the following dates:
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Sept 15, 2025
Sept 29, 2025
Oct 6, 2025
Oct 20, 2025
Oct 27, 2025
Nov 17, 2025
Dec 1, 2025
Dec 8, 2025
Jan 5, 2026
Jan 26, 2026
Feb 9, 2026
Our cohorts fill quickly, early registration is recommended!
After you enroll you will be invited to attend an optional Course Welcome Session.
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Cohort 7 Welcome Session: April 1, 2025, 3pm-4 pm ET
Cohort 8 Welcome Session:June 4, 2025, 11am-12pm ET
Cohort 9 Welcome Session: September 8, 2025, 12pm-1pm ET
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Welcome sessions are hosted by the PVI team who will be supporting you during the course.
We will give you a tour of course resources, including our learning platform
and online community, and review course expectations
(including CE requirements and earning the Polyvagal-Informed™ Certificate).
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The Welcome Session 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. And you'll find no better place than to learn this curriculum than from the founding home of Polyvagal Theory, PVI. Dr. Stephen Porges himself is our co-founder!
Outside of lectures, practice pods, and discussions, learners will continue to inquire and converse within a private Course 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 Polyvagal-Informed™ Certificate from Polyvagal Institute. Polyvagal Institute affirms that certificate training results in a polyvagal-informed™ level of knowledge and application. As a bonus, you will also be invited to audit future live Q&A sessions with Dr. Porges, extending your learning well into the future.
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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 will find value in this course. 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 365 days/one year from the start date of the course, 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 integrated Course Community Space
Financial Investment
Pay in Full: $2100 ​
or
Pay via Payment Plan:
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three (3) payments of $700
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or seven (7) payments of $300
You'll select your payment option during the registration process.
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If you need financial assistance to enroll in this course,
please fill out our Scholarship Application here.
Scholarship funding is limited. ​​​​
Optional Continuing Education Credits (CEs)
CEs are provided by co-sponsor Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) and are available for purchase for $85 at the end of your course.
If you're a psychologist, LCSW, LPCC, LEP, LMFT, or nurse pursuing optional continuing education credits (CEs) to support the maintenance of a professional license (usually only applicable to those based in the U.S.A.), we have two options available for you.
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​Option One- Earn 35 CEs
Attend all live sessions of the course: 100% live attendance is required at all sessions in their entirety. Per the rules of our CE-issuing body, we are unable to offer makeup sessions.
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Option Two- Earn 20 CEs
This option has a more flexible attendance policy. You may choose to attend a combination of: the live course sessions (2 hrs each), live practice pods (1.5 hrs each), and live discussions (1 hr each). For any of the live course sessions and/or live discussions that you might miss, viewing the recording is required. You must attend a minimum of 11 hours of live course time. Please note that live practice pods are not recorded, but your attendance is encouraged for the best learning experience.
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Please contact us with any questions.
Gift This Course
During the checkout process you will be given the option to "Send this course as a gift." Check this box, and the recipient will be notified by email. What a wonderful way to give the gift of learning and nervous system education.
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. ​​​