Your Trainers
Kelly and Allyson met in 2009 while working at the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs as therapists. They worked together at that location for a total of 16 years. Initially, they didn’t get along. While working for the VA, they were privileged to obtain clinical consultation from Deb Dana, LCSW, for 8 years. During their employment at VA, Kelly and Allyson were able to attend Deb’s Rhythm of Regulation intensive series and her Master’s class in Polyvagal Theory. In learning about their nervous systems, they began to understand that they didn’t get along because they were oriented differently in their nervous systems, Kelly being more sympathetic, and Allyson being more dorsal. This awareness allowed them to make repairs on previous ruptures while working together and to become friends. Kelly and Allyson have since assisted Deb on Polyvagal Trainings provided to other clinicians and have co-facilitated Polyvagal consultation groups for other clinician’s.
Kelly and Allyson no longer work together at the VA, but their friendship and collegial relationship remains. They continue to assist Deb Dana in her Polyvagal Master class at the Medomak retreat center in Washington, Maine. They will be joining together again to offer SSP to groups healthcare professionals and those in the helping professions. Kelly and Allyson became certified in the SSP in 2020, utilizing the program regularly since that time.