Scottish Attachment in Action (SAIA) hosted a highly anticipated event titled “Safety, Threat and Connection: Understanding Polyvagal Theory” on 27th September within Glasgow University’s Byres Hub. The event drew a diverse audience of educators, caregivers and people who work with children and families eager to deepen their understanding of polyvagal theory, and how it can inform practices in attachment and trauma.
About Dr George Thompson
Keynote speaker Dr. George Thompson, is a child psychiatrist and founder of The Listening Parent Community, specialising in residential treatment of traumatised youth and in polyvagal-informed crisis response. Dr Thompson was appointment Chairman of the Polyvagal Institute’s board of directors in June 2024. Dr. Thompson is the co-author of Polyvagal Theory and the Developing Child as well as Working with Relational Trauma in Children’s Residential Care. He is working on a third book due in 2026, The Polyvagal Parent. He is a volunteer Clinical Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, where he teaches compassionate doctor-patient communication, and the University of Kansas School of Medicine, where he supervises adult and child psychiatry residents.
The event
Dr. Thompson provided an enlightening overview of how the framework of the Polyvagal Theory can illuminate our understanding of human behaviour in response to safety and threat. His presentation emphasised the significance of the vagus nerve in regulating emotional and physiological states, offering insights into how understanding these mechanisms can enhance relationships and improve therapeutic outcomes.
Following Dr. Thompson’s presentation, participants had the opportunity for a Q&A session. The event also provided a platform for networking, enabling attendees to connect and share experiences from their respective fields. Fiona from CairnsMoir Connections was in attendance, offering an array of books that complimented our exploration of polyvagal theory. Their selection provided fantastic resources for attendees seeking to deepen their knowledge and apply these concepts in their practice and personal lives. We are grateful to CairnsMoir for their continued partnership and support.
We hope that this insightful event left participants with renewed understanding and knowledge of how to build positive connections and interactions in their daily lives.
A recording of the event will be available shortly for purchase.
For more information on upcoming events, visit the ‘Events and Trainings’ section of our website.
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