Polyvagal Practices

Polyvagal practices aim to enhance physiological regulation, restore a sense of safety, and promote engagement through autonomic nervous system regulation.

This enhances social and emotional learning, including recognising and regulating emotions (from a physiological lens) and developing empathy for others.

PACE

Developed as part of attachment-focused family therapy, PACE is a trauma-informed approach aiming to create safe, trusting, emotionally connected relationships with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma or attachment difficulties. PACE stands for:

Playfulness

• Approaching with an open, ready, calm, relaxed and engaged attitude.
• Not taking yourself/situations too seriously.
• Diffusing difficult/tense situations.

Acceptance

• Unconditionally accepting the current state/mood/behaviour.
• Accepting that there are things unseen that lie below behaviour.
• Acceptance supports feeling secure, safe and loved

Curiosity

• Understanding the child gently and without judgement.
• Supporting child to bring awareness to their inner life.
• Wondering statements.

Empathy

• A sense of compassion and understanding for young person’s feelings and thoughts.