We discuss the deep value of Polyvagal Theory for showing us how social connection impacts mental health and overall wellbeing. We explore how to apply Polyvagal theory to intergenerational trauma of historically marginalized groups. Our guests discuss what ancient wisdom and collectivist cultures have long known about community support and regulation.

This episode also includes practices for resourcing and supporting ourselves in challenging times.

Guests

Niloufer Merchant, Ed.D., L.P

Dr. Niloufer Merchant is Professor Emeritus at St. Cloud State University and a Licensed Psychologist currently in private practice in Minneapolis, MN. Her areas of specialization include working with complex trauma with a focus on trauma related to racial/cultural issues. She is certified in EMDR and trained in several embodied practices. She has presented and published widely on multicultural counseling, cultural competencies, and group work. She has also held multiple leadership roles on local, state, and national levels including American Counseling Association. Throughout her career, Niloufer has advocated for creating safe spaces for people of color in schools, universities, and community settings promoting antiracism and systemic change. She has presented on the application of Polyvagal Theory (PVT) in understanding and healing racial trauma including a TEDx talk which connects the principles of PVT to cultural practices and ancient wisdom. Presently, she serves on the Editorial Team and is a Course Partner for the Polyvagal Institute.

Devika Dibya Choudhuri

I have over two decades of balancing academic and clinical experience; working clinically with individual and group clients on issues of sexuality, trauma, violence, acculturation, and grief as well as of training graduate students in Counseling on these issues. Using a primarily qualitative research lens, my scholarship and service has included looking at the experience of LGBTQIA collegians, BIPOC clients in counseling, historical and multigenerational trauma, gender and sexuality.

Resources

"From Intergenerational Trauma to Intergenerational Healing," Dr. Maria Yellow Horse Brave Heart

The Myth of Normal. Gabor Maté

Historic Trauma Resilience Inventory, Dr. Devika Dibya Choudhuri and and Dr. Quentin Hunter, 2023.

"Evaluation of the UNREST Questionannaire for Testing the Social Resistance Framework," Roni Factor, Ichiro Kawachi, and David R. Williams

Other BIPOC+ Mental Health initiatives

Call Blackline

Helping the most-impacted folks

HEARD

We are deaf and disabled people who support deaf/disabled incarcerated people.

Indigenous Circle of Wellness

We envision a future where our communities flourish in holistic well-being.

Indigenous Women Rising

Committed to honoring Native & Indigenous People’s inherent right to equitable and culturally safe health options.

Latinx Therapists Action Network

National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)

Advancing healing justice by transforming mental health

The Red Ma’at Collective

Committed to creating spaces that promote healing, justice, and empowerment

Transcript