Befriending your Nervous System:
A practical workshop on working with Polyvagal Theory
Online via Zoom
Tuesday 15 July 2025
9am - 12.30pm
OR
Wednesday 15 October 2025
9am - 12.30pm
For those that have completed this workshop, you may be interested in our Polyvagal Part Two workshop -
A deeper dive into Polyvagal Theory in Practice.
See the website for more details.
There can be no doubt that the world can be challenging, disruptive and uncertain. The figures globally for stress and anxiety are the highest ever recorded and people are struggling to get access to therapeutic support. But not everyone needs high level mental health support. For some, learning to regulate their nervous system can change everything.
Polyvagal Theory was proposed by Stephen Porges over 25 years ago, and currently is hugely popular in coaching, counselling and therapy as a mechanism for deeper understanding of how our bodies react to triggers and stress. Polyvagal Theory gives insight into how our nervous system, as a wise, adaptive intelligence, responds to keep us safe – and how some of those responses, while effective in the short term, can leave us with neural wiring that no longer serves us.
This half day, practical workshop will introduce the basic concept of Polyvagal Theory and will share with you:
The 3 key neural hierarchical levels
The additional ‘blended states’, along with other adaptations that we use to navigate around our autonomic hierarchy
How to recognise where in the hierarchy you (and your clients) are
How to move flexibly across the autonomic states
The ‘Autonomic Ladder’ and ‘Autonomic Spacing’ models of application
How autonomic state links to deep held beliefs
How to map your (and your client) autonomic maps
How to create a plan to return to Ventral Vagal ‘Home’ under your own steam
Learning Outcomes
After completing the workshop you will be able to:
get a basic understanding of Polyvagal Theory
understand the polyvagal hierarchy: Ventral Vagal, Sympathetic and Dorsal Vagal
touch on the complexity and adaptability above and beyond the basic three stage hierarchy
apply and explore practical tools to map the polyvagal hierarchy
explore models from Stephen Porges / Deb Dana / Grant Soosalu
map the specifics of each state to enhance awareness and understanding
explore moving around the hierarchy purposefully
safely explore ‘hands on’ to get an integrated experience above and beyond a cognitive awareness of the theory.
Who Should Attend?
The workshop is aimed at healthcare professionals, coaches, counsellors and therapists who want to begin to explore and work with polyvagal theory (no pre-existing knowledge is required).
NOTE - If your organisation is interested in having Suzanne present face-face or online to your team as a private workshop, please contact feona@grow.co.nz for more information.
Date and Time
This workshop will be held online via Zoom:
Tuesday 15 July 2025
9am - 12.30pm
OR
Wednesday 15 October 2025
9am - 12.30pm
Price
July Workshop:
Early Bird: $215 per person, incl GST - BOOK AND PAY BEFORE 24 JUNE
Standard Rate: $298 per person incl GST
October Workshop:
Early Bird: $215 per person, incl GST - BOOK AND PAY BEFORE 24 SEPTEMBER
Standard Rate: $298 per person incl GST
Payment in full is required before commencement of the training. Payment online is by debit or credit card (VISA, Mastercard or American Express) only and there are 3 easy steps to complete the online booking process.
Our registration platform is hosted by Lil Regie, our NZ based booking agent. Upon completing your registration by hitting the blue 'Confirm Booking' button, you will receive an automated email from Lil Regie confirming the booking and amount paid by credit card. This will appear on your statement as from LIL REGIE LTD WELLINGTON. A GST Tax Invoice showing your payment in full will also be emailed to you.
Can't pay online and require an invoice?
We work hard to ensure that all workshops are cost effective by automating our systems. If your organisation requires an invoice (rather than paying by credit card) there will be a $25 surcharge for this, and you will need to supply:
The full name and postal address required to appear on the invoice.
The contact name and email of the person(s) responsible for authorising this expense and approving payment.
Any purchase order references required on vendor invoices.
If you would like to reserve a place, as our workshops fill quickly, or have any issues or questions about your booking, please contact Feona Horrex on email: feona@grow.co.nz
What Past Participants Said
I thoroughly enjoyed Suzanne as a speaker and educator. She spoke from both her head and heart.
I used some of the practical tips the very next day with clients, felt great to be able to jump straight in.
It was informing, clearly presented and easy to understand. I came away with improved skill base and helpful ideas to use in the therapy room. A great presenter!
I enjoyed the mixture of theory and practical strategies and tools. I like having research based ideas and suggestions that I could take into my practice immediately.
Cancellation Details
What happens if you have to cancel?
We know that sometimes your plans can change for many different reasons. Should you be unable to attend, a substitute delegate is welcome to attend at no extra cost. If a substitute delegate is not available and you need to cancel your registration, please be aware of the following:
Face-to-Face Events - Up to 7 days prior to the event you will be provided a refund of your registration cost, less a $60.00 inc GST per attendee service charge.
Online Events - Up to 7 days prior to the event you will be provided a refund of your registration cost, less a $20.00 inc GST per attendee service charge.
If you cancel within 7 days of the event, you are not eligible to receive a refund. Please note: should your registration not be paid by the time of the event, you are still liable to make the payment. Unpaid accounts may be passed over to our debt collection agency and additional costs may be incurred.
All cancellations must be received in writing (email).
Training is cancellable by GROW with 7 days’ notice if a minimum number of attendees is not met and full refunds will be provided.
Please note: GROW Ltd reserves the right to make any amendments that we may deem to be in the best interest of the workshop – it is however very unlikely and we will notify you as soon as possible should this occur.
For more information see our full Terms of Trade.
Meet Dr Suzanne Henwood
Suzanne is a trailblazing coach, mentor, supervisor and trainer and a nervous system specialist who helps strong individuals — especially those who’ve been knocked down by life or others — to rise, reset, and reclaim their power with a fusion of intellect and deep body-knowing. With a deeply compassionate approach that blends neuroscience, psychoeducation, and embodied wisdom, she offers unconditional support and practical tools to help people understand how they’re wired and how to rewire for growth, resilience, and vitality.
Suzanne started her working life in healthcare – moving from being a practitioner in Diagnostic Imaging, to educator and to Associate Professor. She has 30+ years’ experience of teaching and training at an advanced level and is a multi-Award Winning Neuroscience based Coach and Trainer.
· In 2022 she was one of 3 finalists in a Global Award for Education and Training (ANLP)
· Best Neuroscience Based Coaching Provider in NZ - 2023 (Corporate Vision Magazine)
· Best Neuroscience Coaching Provider – NZ 2024 (Global Business Insight Awards)
· Global Leader in Neuroscience Based Coaching services 2024 - Client Services Excellence Award (Corporate Vision)
· Leadership Development Consultancy of the Year in the Corporate 2025 (LiveWire Innovation & Excellence Awards)
She is trained in a range of techniques including: mBraining2.0, NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), Mindfulness, Polyvagal Informed Therapy, ACT, Havening, Heartmath, IDT (Interactive Drawing Therapy), Time Line Therapy, Existential Coaching, Map of Meaning, The Emotional Culture Deck, Solution Focused Brief Therapy for severe stress and anxiety, Rapid Results Coaching, Neurocoaching, Trauma Informed Coaching and Refocussing Counselling.
In 2025 she rebranded her company as bwise Coaching Academy, offering a new level of Coaching Certification that is wisdom focused, integrated, systemic and embodied.
She has authored numerous books, book chapters, magazine articles and has written regularly for Great Health Guide, Worldwide Coaching Magazine and Rapport. Her latest book: Coaching Reimagined: Expanding Human Potential – was her third book to reach best seller status.
Suzanne has worked for many years with Grow and her workshops are highly evaluated, she also works as a trainer with the NZ Coaching and Mentoring Center.
CONTACT FEONA
For further details, please contact:
e: feona@grow.co.nz
p: 027 204 0425
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83a Waghorne Street
Ahuriri
Napier 4110
e: info@grow.co.nz
p: 021 751 932
Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.00am - 5.00pm
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