ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the vagal brake at various stages within the dynamics of the Play Therapy relationship. It discusses the following principle concepts: the face–heart connection; sensitive musicality in communication; vitality matching; and a somatic trajectory in Play Therapy. From the Polyvagal perspective, supporting children through difficult experiences back to a shared calm state is a natural goal of Play Therapy–an extension of the natural goal of healthy play. The Polyvagal Theory emphasises our life-long human drive to calm our neural defence systems by detecting features of safety in others. This drive is the central impulse within social behaviour and is present from birth, when an infant communicates the need to be soothed and regulated in partnership with her care-giver. From the Polyvagal perspective, supporting a child through difficult experiences and back down to a shared calm state is a natural goal of Play Therapy–a natural extension of the goal of healthy play.
