Overview

The workshop will provide information on the Polyvagal system and how it influences clients' behaviours and emotions. Through this understanding, mental health professionals will be able to better guide their clients to modify their autonomic nervous system to facilitate their moving out of habitual patterns of fight, flight, and collapse and to better connect with self and others.

The presentation will include the three major principles of Polyvagal Theory and how clients present in the three different polyvagal states. The latter part of the presentation focuses on how to apply Polyvagal theory to therapy with specific techniques provided.

The goal of this activity is to acquaint mental health professionals with an understanding of what Polyvagal theory is and how it can be usefully applied to helping clients alter habitual autonomic nervous system states.

Attendees will gain a neuro-physiological explanation of their clients' behaviour through an understanding of polyvagal theory and how it can be effectively applied to modify their clients' characteristic and habitual patterns of autonomic responses. Psychologists will learn specific techniques that can be directly applied in their work with clients.

Schedule:

Friday, 23 October 2026

Friday, 06 November 2026

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this activity, participants will have:

• An enhanced understanding of Polyvagal theory
• The capacity to apply Polyvagal theory to therapy
• Learnt specific techniques to help clients modify their habitual autonomic states

Presenter(s)

Dr. Ari Badaines

About the presenter(s)

Dr. Ari Badaines is a psychologist, author, and experienced presenter with a longstanding interest in trauma, attachment, interpersonal neurobiology, and the application of Polyvagal Theory in psychotherapy. He is widely recognised for his engaging and practical teaching style, translating complex neurophysiological concepts into clinically applicable therapeutic interventions. Dr. Badaines has extensive experience working with clients presenting with trauma-related difficulties, anxiety, emotional dysregulation, relational challenges, and chronic patterns of autonomic nervous system activation. His work integrates Polyvagal-informed approaches with evidence based psychological therapies to assist clients in moving from states of fight, flight, freeze, and collapse toward greater regulation, safety, connection, and resilience. A sought-after educator and supervisor, Dr. Badaines has presented workshops and professional development training to psychologists and mental health practitioners across Australia. His presentations are known for combining theoretical depth with practical application, including live demonstrations, experiential exercises, and techniques that clinicians can immediately integrate into therapeutic practice. Dr. Badaines is passionate about helping clinicians understand how autonomic nervous system states shape perception, behaviour, emotional experience, and relationships, and how therapeutic co regulation can facilitate meaningful and lasting change.

Notes

Target Audience

This activity is designed for psychologists, counsellors, social workers, mental health clinicians, and allied health professionals seeking practical, neurobiologically-informed approaches to trauma, emotional regulation, and therapeutic change.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the Zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, event-recording, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

These  events will be recorded. The recording will be emailed to all registered within 2 weeks post event and available for viewing up to 90 days.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.