The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma: Body-Based Activities to Regulate, Rebalance, and Rewire Your Nervous System Without Reliving the Trauma

by Arielle Schwartz PhD, Linda Thai LMSW (Foreword by)

Overview

Rewire your nervous system for lasting calm, connection, and resilience with cutting-edge, polyvagal theory-based activities.

Whether you’ve suffered a single traumatic experience or faced repeated difficult life events, you can be left feeling hypervigilant, irritable, and disconnected. Daily tasks like attending a work meeting or social gathering can feel overwhelming or even frightening. Most therapies for treating trauma require you to “revisit” your traumatic experience in potentially triggering ways. In this cutting-edge workbook, best-selling author and trauma expert Arielle Schwartz provides a practical, body-based method to help you treat your trauma symptoms—without reliving your trauma or being exposed to triggers.

The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma offers evidence-based activities to help you heal the effects of trauma, rewire your nervous system, and return to a state of balance and calm. You’ll begin by getting to know your nervous system, including an exploration of polyvagal theory and the vagus nerve. You’ll also learn soothing, body-based practices to help you rewire your nervous response, including rhythmic movements (EMDR and tapping), conscious breathing, mindful movement, and more. Self-reflection and journaling prompts will help you get the most out of every chapter, and a comprehensive collection of tools will help you stay on the path to trauma recovery.

You don’t have to relive your trauma in order to heal. With this powerful workbook, you can take charge of your mental health, build resilience, and feel safer and more connected.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781648484162
Publisher:	New Harbinger Publications
Publication date:	04/01/2025
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Arielle Schwartz, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist, certified complex trauma professional, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) consultant, and Kripalu yoga teacher. She is an internationally sought-out speaker, leading voice in the field of trauma recovery, and award-winning author. As a faculty member at the Polyvagal Institute, she is a course instructor on mind-body approaches that apply polyvagal theory for trauma recovery. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology at Fielding Graduate University, and holds a master’s degree in somatic psychology through Naropa University. She is author of seven books, including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook.

Linda Thai, LMSW, is a trauma therapist who specializes in complex developmental trauma. Born in Vietnam, raised in Australia, and now living in Alaska, she is a former child refugee who is passionate about breaking the cycle of historical and intergenerational trauma at individual and community levels.

Editorial Reviews

Schwartz’s groundbreaking work shows us that peak performance starts with a regulated nervous system. By blending polyvagal science with accessible somatic practices, this workbook offers high performers a compassionate, powerful path to both optimal resilience and deeper connection—proving that when we feel safe in our bodies, we unlock our greatest potential.”
—Mastin Kipp, cocreator of Functional Life Coaching, and author of Claim Your Power and Reclaim Your Nervous System

Mastin Kipp

Arielle Schwartz has masterfully brought you another workbook that balances the seriousness of traumatizing experiences while providing practical tools that support healing without having to relive your past. She translates complex neuroscience into understandable and relatable language that can be easily applied into your life. She has the capacity to address the depth of pain that accompanies relational wounds while bringing a sense of hope that you can reclaim your birthright of connection to yourself, others, and the world around you. I highly recommend this book to all seeking a compassionate guide to trauma recovery.” 
—Diane Poole Heller, PhD, author of The Power of Attachment, and expert in the fields of trauma resolution and adult attachment theory

Diane Poole Heller

Arielle Schwartz has written an immensely practical guide that makes trauma integration accessible for everyone. A masterful somatic teacher, she invites the reader into a step-by-step approach to recovering resilience and well-being. This could not come at a more critical time when we all need helpful tools that settle and ground our daily challenges into manageable experiences.”
—Manuela Mischke-Reeds, MFT, somatic trauma therapist, author of Somatic PsychotherapyToolbox, and a founder of Hakomi Institute of California and Embodywise

Manuela Mischke-Reeds

In The Polyvagal Theory Workbook for Trauma, Arielle Schwartz gives you practical, embodied tools along with compassionate guidance to support your healing journey. She makes the complexity of trauma recovery understandable and accessible while creating a wellspring of hope. Her warmth and kindness shine through her words.”
—Peter A. Levine, PhD, developer of Somatic Experiencing; and author of several books, including Waking the Tiger and In an Unspoken Voice

Peter A. Levine

As a physician studying how the body holds trauma, I’m deeply impressed by Schwartz’s ability to bridge science and physiology with accessible healing strategies. She guides us into our inner world with wisdom and compassion, helping us create lasting change in our nervous system. This workbook is a vital resource for redirecting our physiology toward health and connection.”
—Aimie Apigian, MD, MS, MPH, board-certified addiction and preventive medicine physician, and author of The Biology of Trauma

Aimie Apigian

This guide reveals the profound role our nervous system plays in both saving us, and helping us heal love and safety. Get ready for ‘breathing, being weighted, and shaking it’ out to have a whole new meaning.”
—Staci K. Haines, author of The Politics of Trauma

Staci K. Haines

Arielle Schwartz’s clear and thoughtful writing illuminates our body’s wisdom and capacity to ground, balance, heal, nourish, and restore our own well-being. The Polyvagal Theory Workbookfor Trauma is an ally for the challenging times we are living in. Being embodied in a trauma-informed way is a powerful practice and necessary skill when human rights are threatened. With Arielle’s guidance, readers can access their innate resilience and capacity to live as fully and presently as possible.”
—Amber Elizabeth Gray, PhD, Amber Gray Moving Therapies, human rights psychotherapist, and creator of Polyvagal-informed somatic and dance/movement therapy

Amber Elizabeth Gray