03/04/2026
An extensive part of my training as a somatic and trauma therapist has been in Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges) a framework that has been helping people understand their nervous systems and how trauma plays out in their bodies for several decades. It’s more recently gained popularity and become the golden child theory for all kinds of practitioners. In January 2026 a paper was released, supported by 39 experts across various fields stating that Polyvagal Theory is untenable.
Now, I don’t feel that this is a bad this at all. Polyvagal Theory is exactly that… a THEORY. And when I have introduced it to my clients, I have made this very very clear. I also made it clear that these theories are maps we can use as tools but definitely not the terrain. The terrain is our direct experience and it’s entirely personal to each body. And the great news is that the paper doesn’t invalidate our experience but criticises the biology and evolution theories in PVT.
With that in mind, I wanted to offer something today that can support you in mapping YOUR nervous system and somatic responses.
Read the rest here https://thewolfandthewildthing.com/blogs-about-somatic-therapy-trauma-healing/2026/3/16/how-map-your-nervous-system
