The Felt Sense Polyvagal Model: Transforming Trauma and Addiction Treatment with Jan Winhall

Join Jan Winhall, MSW, FOT, a renowned trauma and addiction therapist and core faculty member at the Polyvagal Institute, for this two-day, in-depth course on the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model (FSPM) and revolutionize your approach to trauma and addiction treatment.

Revolutionizing Trauma and Addiction Therapy with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model

Drawing on 45 years of clinical practice and insights from her book, Treating Trauma and Addiction with the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model, Jan will guide you through a depathologizing, body-centered model that challenges traditional top-down modalities by embracing—rather than leaving out—the body’s own wisdom.

Why is this important? Because from a polyvagal perspective, what we often label as “disorders” are actually “adaptations”—ways the body has learned to respond to survive difficult or threatening situations. By understanding and accepting the body’s role in these responses, we can see them as natural survival strategies rather than as problems or failures.

FSPM integrates Gendlin’s Felt Sense (interoception) and Porges’ neuroception (nervous system regulation), creating an integrated, anti-oppressive framework. The model is built on five core theories that guide clinicians in embedding embodied processes into their existing therapeutic methods. By viewing trauma and addiction responses as adaptive survival mechanisms, clinicians can move beyond pathologizing to more compassionate, effective care.

What You’ll Gain in this Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Course:

• Understand Trauma and Addiction: Learn how FSPM shifts the treatment perspective toward a depathologizing approach.
• Master Foundational Theories: Explore the five key theories behind the FSPM.
• Engage the Body in Therapy: Use practical tools to integrate somatic practices into your current work.

Course Highlights:

• Experiential Learning: Participate in hands-on activities and view case studies demonstrating the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model in action.
• Practical Client Strategies: Gain new tools to teach clients how to engage their nervous systems and use the six steps of Focusing/Felt Sensing.
• The Embodied Assessment and Treatment Tool (EATT)™: Discover this somatic assessment method that tracks neuroception and interoception for better client understanding.
• Harm Reduction Practices: Learn how to apply the Four-Circle Harm Reduction Practice (FCHRP) to aid trauma and addiction recovery.
• Supervision Insights: Watch a video of a supervision session showcasing the EATT in use.

Who Should Take this Felt Sense Polyvagal Model Course?

This course is ideal for both newcomers to trauma and addiction work and experienced practitioners looking to enhance their practice. You will learn practical skills, including the six steps of Focusing/Felt Sensing, and new ways to understand safety and traumatic responses.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Explain the paradigm shift introduced by the Felt Sense Polyvagal Model.
2. Name and describe the five theories foundational to FSPM.
3. List the six steps of focusing and their use in therapy.
4. Identify the basic states of the autonomic nervous system and the Trauma Feedback Loop.
5. Apply the Four-Circle Harm Reduction Practice and the EATT™.
6. Demonstrate strategies for safety and response to trauma through neuroplasticity.

Why This Course?

Jan Winhall is an Educational Partner at the renowned Polyvagal Institute and core faculty member of its flagship course. Her training is enriched by collaboration with leaders such as Dr. Stephen Porges. This Felt Sense Polyvagal Model course provides you with the latest information about polyvagal theory and its applications in trauma and addiction treatment.

Register now to deepen your understanding and support your clients’ healing journey in trauma and addiction treatment.

1. Describe the paradigm shift in the Felt Sense Polyvagal model (FSPM).
2. Name the five theories that form the foundation of the FSPM.
3. List the six steps of focusing.
4. Explain the four avenues into the Felt Sense.
5. Describe the basics states of the Autonomic nervous system.
6. Provide an example of how to use the window of tolerance in therapy.
7. Describe the neurophysiological states of FSPM.
8. Define the Trauma Feedback Loop.
9. Explain the role of neuroplasticity in the Lewis learning model of addiction.
10. Explain the Four Circle Harm Reduction Practice.
11. Describe the Embodied Assessment and Treatment Tool.
12. Demonstrate knowledge of how to apply the EATT.
13. Describe new ways of understanding safety and traumatic responses.
14. Demonstrate knowledge of Felt Sense Polyvagal Model™ application.

This training offers 12 hours of direct contact (not counting breaks or lunch). It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards/regulatory body to verify CE requirements for their license to practice.

Attendees of the original in-person workshop receive instructions on how to obtain their Certificate of Participation at the end of the training and in the “recording ready” email, which is sent 1-2 days after the live workshop has ended.

Attendees watching the previously recorded/on-demand version must complete a Post-Webinar Quiz with a passing grade of at least 80% to verify their attendance and receive their Certificate of Participation.

Note: The course recording is available only after the live workshop has ended.

The Certificate of Participation includes:

• Name of participant.
• Title of training.
• Name of presenter plus their credentials.
• Number of hours of training.
• Date of training.
• Confirmation of 100% attendance at the original live broadcast OR a passing grade of at least 80% on the recorded on-demand version post-course quiz.

Get details about CE credits for Canadian and non-US international participants.

Get details about CE credits for US participants.

Please check with your regulatory body/organization to ensure that this certificate is sufficient proof for you to claim CE credits.