99. Trauma, Addiction, and Polyvagal Theory with Jan Winhall

Today we are joined by Jan Winhall, MSW FOT, who will be talking to use about the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model and how we can us different modalities to understand and heal trauma and addiction. In her book, Jan draws significant links between trauma and addiction, and creates a framework for clinicians to apply to their practice.  "I started my career as a social worker/psychotherapist 40 years ago. I listened with non-pathologizing ears and heard shocking stories of sexual torture, and responses that confused me. Women were cutting themselves, burning their bodies, sucking on bars of soap, having compulsive sex with strangers, bingeing and purging huge quantities of food, and abusing drugs and alcohol. As I listened I learned that somehow these self-harming behaviors were “helping” them to escape intolerable emotional states. They were shifting their mood from flooding anxiety to numbing deadness, or vice versa. Because these behaviours were so helpful they were compulsively repeated and often became addictions." Connect with Jan Winhall MSW FOT Author Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model [email protected] Janwinhall.com Focusingonborden.com Happy listening! With love, G 🌸 To connect with me: Free Anxiety & Boundaries ebook Contact me Book an appointment Website