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How effective is Polyvagal Theory on the long-term reduction of PTSD symptoms in adolescents?

This longitudinal study is focused on using the Polyvagal theory and identifying its efficiency in reducing PTSD symptoms in adolescents between the ages of 13-18. Launching into early adulthood with a dysregulated nervous system presents challenges for the client both physiologically and psychologically. While talk-therapy is effective in helping a client psychologically process the trauma, it often does not address the clients physiological state of the stored trauma. Without intervention to the clients physiological system, symptoms of the PTSD can persist and increase risk for psychological and physical comorbidities as well as increase the likelihood of intergenerational trauma within relational and family systems. In this study we seek to address the clients physiological stored trauma using the Polyvagal Theory. We seek to measure how effective polyvagal theory is in re-patterning a clients dysregulated nervous system long-term. We also seek to identify how efficient polyvagal theory is in reducing PTSD symptoms in adolescent clients.