From Safety to Strategy: Linking the Nervous System to Executive Skills

This 3-hour training explores how Polyvagal Theory provides a neurobiological framework for understanding and supporting executive functioning. Participants will examine how the autonomic nervous system influences self-regulation, attention, flexibility, and goal-directed behavior. This workshop bridges the gap between physiological safety and higher-order cognitive processing. Attendees will leave with practical, regulation-informed strategies to help clients strengthen executive functioning through co-regulation, mindful awareness, and skill-building interventions.

Mental health clinicians, school-based therapists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, and other professionals working with children, adolescents, or adults who experience challenges in self-regulation and executive functioning.

Intermediate – appropriate for mental health professionals with foundational clinical experience seeking to integrate neurobiological and executive functioning frameworks.

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the connection between autonomic nervous system states and executive functioning skills.
2. Explain how trauma and disrupted safety cues impact regulation and higher-order cognitive processes.
3. Apply polyvagal-informed strategies to enhance self-regulation and executive functioning in clinical practice.

Dr. Michelle Magida is the Founder and Clinical Director of Therapy Etc, a successful group practice dedicated to improving social, emotional, behavioral and academic functioning. She has over 15 years of experience in helping children, adolescents, young adults, families, parents and schools achieve social, emotional, behavioral and academic success.

Dr. Magida’s background in special education and expertise in executive functioning, helps in treating individuals with anxiety, depression, emotional regulation difficulties and/or attention/focus issues. In addition, she enjoys partnering with parents as they develop new tools to diminish power struggles and establish healthy boundaries within the family system.

Dr. Magida has presented in numerous venues on such topics as understanding executive functioning, how to avoid the dreaded power struggle, classroom management, and Polyvagal Theory in therapy. She has also created a parenting course titled Connection Before Correction.

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