How the STOP system improves vagal tone... and will probably help you live longer too!

Hi,

We had our second workshop of the Fusion Therapeutic Coaching Diploma this weekend.

Polyvagal Theory came up again as a significant development in our understanding of mental health so I have included in this newsletter my article on how Fusion’s STOP System can improve vagal tone.

I now run the Diploma via Zoom and have made some significant changes to the curriculum in response to where I believe integrated coach-therapy is heading.

Whilst making sure my curriculum meets the BACP recommendations for coach training I am also ensuring it ticks all the boxes for professional accreditation with the Association for Coaching. Below is my post-workshop email to the group which gives a flavour of the programme.

We are currently looking closely at the person centred, CBT and Human Givens models of counselling and coaching before starting to focus on the Fusion integrated model using the five session framework.

Hi All, 

Thanks for turning up promptly and for you participation today.  

I attach a Pdf of today’s slides. 

Contracting 

I attach the example I gave of my verbal contract with embedded suggestions and the ‘yes set’ for accelerated rapport

I also attach a specimen written contract for therapeutic coaching in the Fusion model which may need some adjustment to make it bespoke for your work and/or client base 

The Association for Coaching contracting template (also attached) would need considerable adjustment I think to make it fit for purpose for integrative work

‘what does a counselling contract contain’ is a useful summary sourced from Harley Therapy plus I’ve attached a leaflet produced by BACP which is wordy but does have some helpful observations 

SAFE SPACE Continuum of Wellbeing 

I attach the assessment document I created which is useful for identifying whether the client is more in the OK or NOT OK zone and connects unmet needs with a CORE 10 which I have reversed so the document works as an integrated scale 

The Person Centred model

This will have been more familiar to some than others. Either way I hope you find it as fascinating as I do to be able to watch the originator of the model, Carl Rogers, at work. Try also looking at all the GLORIA videos on You Tube which juxtapose differing therapeutic models and show some of the big names in session with the same client (poor woman!)

The person centred, or client centred, approach is common in both counselling and coaching and considers the client to be their own best expert. 

The concept is simple…..but not easy to practice. It is a non directive approach and something I would like you to try out so I attach a feedback sheet for use with a client in a suggested 30 minute session. Ask your client or an observer to fill it in and we can have a chat about it in work shop 3.

 Will you be able to stay with the model and resist the urge to jump in with advice?

 Try it and see how it goes…

 Learner log

 It’s a good idea to complete this as soon as possible after the work shop, either by listing the subjects covered and cross referencing to AC competencies or by looking at the competencies first and then thinking about what was covered in the workshop that would be a good fit.

 Reflective journal

 Let’s make good use of the reflective journal.

 We are a new group finding our collective way and covering a range of sensitive subjects. We will also have a range of opinions drawn from our own previous training and personal/professional experience. We are working in new territory that embraces two previously separate professional worlds so can expect to have many debates going forward.

 Apart from your reflective journal, processing any emotional impact of the group work is most usefully taken either to personal therapy or to supervision.

 Have a good weekend and see you in two weeks…

How the STOP system improves vagal tone, increases resilience and will probably help you live longer too!

Dr Steve Porges’ Polyvagal theory developed from his experiments with the vagus nerve which serves the parasympathetic nervous system; the ‘rest and digest’ part of our autonomic nervous system. 

The vagus nerve is actually the longest nerve in your body that, until recently, we did not understand the significance of. It connects your brain to important organs, including the gut, heart and lungs. ‘Vagus’ means “wanderer” in Latin, which represents how the nerve seems to wander around the body and reaches so many organs. 

The vagus nerve is also a key part of your parasympathetic ‘rest and digest’ system. It influences breathing, digestive function and heart rate, all of which can have a huge impact on your mental health and is a pathway for the brain to tell the body to calm down.

But what we really need to pay special attention to is the ‘tone’ of our vagus nerve. 

Vagal tone 

Vagal tone is an internal biological process that represents the activity of the vagus nerve. 

Increasing your vagal tone activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Higher vagal tone (the measurable difference between the heart rate on the in breath and the heart rate on the out breath) means that your body has the ability to relax faster after stress. 

In 2010, researchers discovered a positive feedback loop between high vagal tone, positive emotions, and good physical health. In other words, the more you increase your vagal tone, the more your physical and mental health will improve, and vice versa. 

How to improve vagal tone

There are many ways to improve vagal tone, including taking exercise, exposure to cold, massage, singing, taking probiotics and upping your intake of omega 3.

But one of the most successful ways to improve vagal tone is through regular meditation and deep and slow breathing, such as that taught as part of the STOP System. The letters of ‘STOP’ represent:

Slow breathing (count the breath to refocus the mind away from external stimuli)

Take a step back (dissociate from emotion) into the

Observing self (that part of the mind which is aware of awareness itself)

Practise emotional intelligence (for mind management and emotional regulation) 

When we say the word ‘STOP’, either silently or aloud, we break out of autopilot and bring ourselves to mindful awareness; a powerful position from where we have a choice of response rather than automatic reaction. 

But when we take the time to consciously slow down our breathing, and we do it regularly, not only are we developing the mental muscle that helps us exert control and delay gratification, we are also improving our vagal tone. That means we will be more resilient to the ups and down that life generally has in store for us and more likely to engage our rational brain to respond rather than let our emotional brain react.

So, next time you feel like strangling your boss or rattling off an angry email, try pressing the pause button, counting and slowing down your breathing rate. 

You’ll be glad you did…

and your ventral vagal system will thank you for the workout! 

Fusion training 

If you want to be part of the new wave of integrated practitioners you can apply to be on the waiting list for the Integrated Coaching Academy Therapeutic Coaching Diploma.

The good news is there is no waiting list at all for the NCFE distance learning Therapeutic Coaching Skills Certificate and you can follow this link for immediate purchase of your Skills Workbook for just £455. 

You can also still access the Fusion Mindfulness Based Mind Management programme here for £395 for a limited time.