Question
How does polyvagal theory differ from mindfulness?
Answer
PVT and mindfulness are somewhat connected, but with polyvagal theory, there is a heavy focus on the science related to the body’s nervous system.
Mindfulness is different because mindfulness is just being aware of our surroundings without judgment. So we are integrating that into polyvagal to help keep us centered and connected when we are in our ventral vagal, and that helps us understand and be safe there. But also that gives us more tools to use when we are in freeze or when we are in fight or flight.
Mindfulness is a part of polyvagal theory, but they are two separate things that just work really well together.
This Ask the Expert is an edited excerpt from the webinar, Understanding and Using Polyvagal Theory in Social Work Practice, presented by Gabrielle Juliano-Villani, MSW, LCSW
