Embodied Dialogues for Healing Trauma and Addiction

Katy Dickson, Author of "The Tree & Me, A Polyvagal Poem" (a finalist in the 2025 National Indie Excellence Awards, Children's inspirational/motivational) joins Jan Winhall on July 24, 2025 on the live, interactive Embodied Dialogues Podcast.
After a short grounding practice from Jan, Katy shares both professional and lived experience insights and reflections as an Occupational Therapist, deeply rooted embodied, trauma-informed practice.
Conversation flows into her personal healing journey and how it reconnected her with a long-held love of language, wordsmithery and poetry, which gave life to "The Tree and Me: A Polyvagal Poem".
Katy shares how that piece moved from a seed of an idea to publication, and the beautiful web of connection, support and synchronicity that followed. Katy gives a reading of the poem with one of the talented illustrators behind "The Tree & Me," Regan Desautels, and reflect on what’s next—dreams, hopes, and where this path may continue to lead.
Formerly the founder of Attune, her own private practice supporting nervous system regulation through embodied approaches, Katy currently works as Principal OT at a private interdisciplinary Pediatric company, Words First Ltd., which places therapists in schools across London and beyond. Part of this role is to lead on a trauma-informed strategy in educational settings.
Katy is also an Associate at Hemispheres, where she guides children and young people through Dr. Stephen Porges’ Safe & Sound Protocol.
Beyond her professional roles, Katy lives in South East London, is a mother, and someone who carries trauma in her own system.Learn more about Katy at https://www.instagram.com/thetreeandme_/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-dickson-5629022b/

Welcome to a 1-hour exclusive Embodied Dialogue in 2025 with Dr. Stephen Porges, the esteemed creator of the Polyvagal Theory.
One of the many qualities I admire about Dr. Porges is his unwavering commitment to accessibility. As I become busier with a public lifestyle, I find myself challenged by the desire to reach out and the need to contain. Steve’s ability to stay connected, respond to emails, listen deeply, and maintain a safe presence amidst his growing popularity is truly inspiring.
Steve starts with opening up about his personal musings on cats and the unique ways they co-regulate with humans, offering insights that might just change the way you view your feline friends. We dive deep into the profound concepts of safety in the body and the transformative nature of feeling truly secure.
Among many other things we touch upon the significance of feedback loops in therapy and life, and how interoception—the awareness of our bodily states—plays a crucial role in healing trauma and addiction. 
It's a dialogue brimming with warmth, insight, and a little humor, inviting you to pause, reflect, and embrace the wisdom shared. Through Steve’s stories and reflections, I hope your understanding of polyvagal theory and its practical applications expands.
Chapter Overview00:00 Nonverbal Communication in Music
03:30 Cat's Early Morning Routine
08:53 Understanding Embodiment Through Interoception
11:13 "Evaluating Reactions Mindfully"
13:32 Polyvagal Theory and Emotions
18:29 Reflecting on Bold Paradigm Shifts
23:22 "Balancing Accessibility and Self-Time"
26:47 Evolving Academic Models Post-Pandemic
29:14 Impact of ACEs on Individuals
31:28 "Integrating Neuroscience and Subconscious Therapy"
37:03 Academic Crisis: Research Structure Doomed
40:32 Innovative Music Experience for Neurodivergent
43:07 Developing Scalable Health Products
46:06 Trust and Motivation in Leadership
49:47 Neglected Behavioral Solutions in Autism
53:04 Critique of Autism Research Focus
56:13 Autism Diagnosis and Hope
This session is particularly special as we celebrate the release of three groundbreaking Polyvagal books this winter:* Twenty Embodied Practices for Healing Trauma and Addiction by Jan Winhall https://janwinhall.com/20-embodied-practices/* Somatic-Oriented Therapies https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324052722?promo=SOT20* Polyvagal Perspectives: Interventions, Practices, and Strategies https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324053408

Nightmares are robustly linked with trauma and many other forms of psychological injury, including a 4x greater risk of suicide. Yet they are vastly under-treated — which is a shame because nightmare treatment is simple, effective and evidence based. Guest Dr. Leslie Ellis shares:
how polyvagal theory helps us to understand why we or our clients have nightmares
how the body holds nightmares in the nervous system
how to use nightmares to diagnose and track clinical progress
how to help those who suffer from disturbed dreaming
Dr. Ellis is a leading expert in the use of experiential and somatic approaches in psychotherapy, in particular for working with dreams, nightmares and the effects of trauma. She is the author of A Clinician’s Guide to Dream Therapy. As adjunct faculty at Adler University, she taught clinical skills and trauma treatment. She is a Certifying Coordinator and past president of The International Focusing Institute, and former vice president of the International Association for the Study of Dreams. Website: https://drleslieellis.com/Request her article she mentioned during the show here: https://drleslieellis.com/pre-pub-solving-the-nightmare-mystery/

Jan Winhall with Patrick McA, Elizabeth Moitoza, Robert Ragucci, Ann Dowsett Johnston Join us in this special 2-hour edition of the Embodied Dialogue Series for an enlightening exploration of how Polyvagal Theory and Twelve-step Programs can intersect to enhance addiction treatment. Since the 1930s, Twelve-step Programs have been a cornerstone in helping millions overcome addictive behaviors through accessible, global support groups rooted in the concept of a ‘higher power.’ Founded by Bill Wilson and Bob Smith, these programs view addiction as a brain disease and emphasize community and spiritual connection.Polyvagal Theory, introduced by neuroscientist Stephen Porges in 1994, offers a fresh perspective by framing addictions as adaptive survival strategies linked to the autonomic nervous system’s regulation of emotional states. This approach highlights how trauma influences our nervous system responses, providing new insights into why individuals might engage in addictive behaviors. In this event, we will discuss how these differing views can inform one another. What can the Twelve Steps learn from Polyvagal Theory’s focus on physiological triggers and trauma? How can Polyvagal-informed approaches benefit from the long-standing community and spiritual support of Twelve-step Programs? Join us as we delve into these questions and work together to reshape the conversation around addiction treatment, emphasizing safety and emotional regulation in recovery.
https://janwinhall.com

Polyvagal Theorist Dr. Stephen Porges joins Jan Winhall in February 2022 with a live audience to address questions about how the nervous system interprets safety and threat and how it's felt in the body.

Guest Julianne Del Cano Kennard and host Jan Winhall explore the spiritual alchemy of trauma, the process by which pain, when consciously met, becomes a catalyst for transformation. Julianne will share about her upcoming book and the Wholality® framework to explain how the patterns and blocks within our human experience are not problems to fix, but signals pointing toward what wants to be healed and harmonized.

Jan Winhall hosts guest Sean Inderbitzen, author of Autism in Polyvagal Terms, for a rich dialogue on the intersection of polyvagal theory and neurodiversity, especially autism. They share a neural-exercise framework with practical tips to deepen connection, ease “stuckness,” and enhance quality of life by activating the ventral vagal system for greater safety, flexibility, and meaningful relationships.