Deb Dana is the leading clinical translator of Stephen Porges’ influential polyvagal theory. With her new Polyvagal Card Deck: 58 Practices for Calm and Change, she further extends the reach of this groundbreaking perspective on mental wellness. These informational cards enable clients to enhance a broad understanding of their nervous system as well as help clinicians to guide them through a process of tuning in.

The cards have been thoughtfully created to provide polyvagal concepts and prompts grouped into three areas: 1) the autonomic hierarchy: ventral, sympathetic, and dorsal; 2) a section about regulating the system; and 3) a bonus section exploring play, stillness, and change. Clinicians can use the cards at the beginning of a session to frame the work or at the end to create a plan for ongoing work; clients can reach for the cards any time they want some nervous system support.