Creative Therapies and Polyvagal Theory - Part 2

Art therapy, which involves the creation of visual art, fosters a sense of safety and self-expression. By engaging in the creative process, individuals can activate the ventral vagal pathway, promoting a state of calmness and connection. The act of creating art can also enhance social engagement, whether through collaborative projects or sharing artwork with a therapist or group. One form of art therapy, Public Practice Art Therapy (PPAT) refers specifically to the role of co-regulation in the community. This social aspect is crucial for reinforcing feelings of safety and belonging, which are central to the ventral vagal state.

Music therapy can have a profound impact on the autonomic nervous system. Rhythmic elements of music can help regulate heart rate and breathing, aligning them with the rhythms of the music. Slow, melodic music can activate the ventral vagal pathway, inducing relaxation and safety, while more dynamic and upbeat music can help individuals navigate and safely release sympathetic arousal (fight or flight responses). Music therapy provides, as all other arts therapies, an avenue for emotional expression, allowing individuals to process and release emotions in a manner that is not threatening for their nervous system.

Dance/movement therapy directly engages the body, offering a way to counteract the immobilization associated with the dorsal vagal pathway. Through movement, individuals can reconnect with their bodies, release stored tension, and re-establish a sense of agency. This reconnection can help "unlock" the shutdown response, bringing individuals back into a more engaged and responsive state. Movement also allows for the safe expression of emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally.
We will stop here with the exploration of modalities due to such a long blog article, but many other creative modalities stimulate the ANS in different ways and can create the sense of safety or gently challenge a body trapped in stress response.

Therapists who incorporate Polyvagal Theory into their practice can enhance the effectiveness of creative therapies by tailoring interventions to the client's current autonomic state. For example, a therapist might use calming and grounding art activities to help a client transition from a sympathetic or dorsal vagal state to a ventral vagal state. Alternatively, more dynamic and expressive forms of therapy, like dance, may be used to safely mobilize energy and emotions that are trapped in a state of immobilization.

Understanding the principles of Polyvagal Theory also allows therapists to be more attuned to the physiological cues that indicate shifts in a client's autonomic state. By observing changes in breathing, posture, and facial expressions, therapists can adjust their approach to better support the client's needs in the moment.

By recognizing the ways in which different creative modalities can influence the autonomic nervous system, therapists can more effectively guide clients toward healing and resilience. Creative therapies, with their inherent flexibility and focus on self-expression, provide a unique and effective means of engaging the body's natural mechanisms for recovery, making them an invaluable tool in the treatment of trauma and stress-related disorders.