An Introduction to Polyvagal Theory for Chronic Pain

Central Oregon Association of Psychologists

Regional affiliate of the Oregon Psychological Association

An Introduction to Polyvagal Theory for Chronic Pain

Presented by Shelly Curran, Ph.D.

Date: Friday, April 10th 2026 

9:00 am until 1:00 pm PST 

4 hours Continuing Education Credit  

Location: ONLINE via Zoom

(registrants will be sent a Zoom link via the email address they register with.  The Zoom link will be sent out 1-3 days prior to the training and will come from "COAP Workshops.")

This workshop will be capped at 95 participants

Workshop Overview: Change and healing are not possible when our nervous system is in a state of dysregulation or stress response. A regulated nervous system that can access safety and connection is necessary for healing to occur. Polyvagal Theory (PVT) developed by Stephen Porges, PhD and Deb Dana, LCSW provides a framework for understanding how our autonomic nervous system responds to threat and safety and provides a roadmap to process trauma and improve health and distress.  In Dr. Curran’s role as a senior trainer for Deb Dana and Rhythm of Regulation, she will be presenting an introduction to PVT and its emphasis on “bottom up” (biology/somatic) approaches rather than “top down” (cognitive) interventions. The key to using this approach is knowing your own nervous system response patterns.  Each participant will have the opportunity to map their own responses to threat and safety based on the PVT hierarchy of nervous system pathways.  The PVT framework provides a guide for clinicians and patients in understanding the nature and impact of dysregulated patterns of protection on emotions, health, behaviors, thoughts, and relationships, as well as creating pathways for new autonomic patterns. Dr. Curran will also identify the role of a Health Psychologist in the treatment of chronic pain and discuss how to apply the PVT framework in helping patients understand the sources of their health issues, how to regulate their nervous systems, and empower patients as active participants in their healthcare.

Learning Objectives:  By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

• Identify the 3 organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory (neuroception, hierarchy of 3 pathways of nervous system response, co-regulation)
• Create a neuroception profile map of your own nervous system 3 response states
• Identify ventral anchors learned through past experiences of safety
• Identify the role of Health Psychologist in pain management
• Identify how to apply the PVT framework in treating patients including those with chronic pain
• Identify several specific nervous system regulation strategies related to the PVT hierarchy of response states

About the Presenter: Dr. Curran is a Clinical Health Psychologist licensed in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and is also part of PSYPACT.  Dr. Curran has over 30 years of experience working in outpatient pain clinics and private practice helping adults with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a variety of health issues such as chronic pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal disorders, and various women’s health issues. She has lectured and published research in areas including: facial/jaw pain, headaches, fatigue, breast cancer, and chronic pain. Dr. Curran uses Polyvagal Theory to guide her “bottom-up” approach which includes somatic experiencing exercises, hypnosis, and other self-regulation strategies.  She is a senior trainer for Deb Dana, LCSW and Rhythm of Regulation Polyvagal Theory training courses and also provides consultations services for Polyvagal Theory training. For more information, please contact her website DrShellyCurran.com.

Costs: COAP uses an online registration process that accepts credit and debit cards. The lowest registration rates are associated with early registration, we encourage you to sign up early to make sure you have a spot.  This workshop is limited to the first 95 participants who register.

Registered by 3/31/26

COAP Member:  $90

Non COAP Member:  $105

Registered after 3/31/26

COAP Member: $100

Non COAP Member:  $115

Student Rate $50

*Membership in COAP is limited to Central Oregon based active and retired psychologists, residents, and psychologist associates. You must be current with COAP dues to register at the membership rate. Yearly COAP dues are $25 and are collected in September via Cheddar Up website (a small fee will be charged by cheddar up). Please use this link to pay dues: https://coap-membership-2025-26.cheddarup.com/

We welcome all allied mental health practitioners to our workshops (at non-member registration rates). Receiving Continuing Education credit from your various Licensing Boards is left to the discretion of the individual practitioner. Please see note below about APA.

 **A $35 cancellation fee will be assessed for all cancellations. Registration fee will not be refunded for dissatisfaction with the training or for no-shows.  

Students are invited to attend for $50.  Please be prepared to submit a copy of your student identification card as proof of your student status.

Questions can be directed to info@coapworkshops.org

Check out the COAP website for additional information  https://www.coapworkshops.org