Polyvagal Academy Australia (PVAA) was founded by Joanne McIntyre, Occupational Therapist and Clinical Director at Integrated Listening Australia (iLA). iLA was the official organisation partnered with Unyte Health in the USA, to provide Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Certification and support across Australia and New Zealand since the launch of the SSP in 2017. iLA had been providing training and support across the Unyte therapeutic tools since 2015.
Joanne has a long history of working with filtered music programs. Before 2015, Joanne resided in Florida for 23 years and worked as an Instructor for Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), the original company that partnered with Dr Porges, the developer of the SSP, to launch the SSP to the therapy community. iLs was later bought by Unyte Health.
Certification in the Safe and Sound Protocol or the new Rest and Restore Protocol is available through Unyte Global.
Joanne has observed significant improvements in her clinical work implementing the SSP or RRP. In her role as a trainer/mentor, she also receives feedback from SSP, RRP, or iLs-trained practitioners who also share therapeutic gains from the programs.
Over the last 30 years of practice, Joanne has found that the Safe and Sound or Rest and Restore Protocols when implemented within an integrated approach, are effective for creating lasting change from the inside out.
As such, she is passionate about continuing to impact mental health and wellness by supporting practitioners learning and implementing Polyvagal principles, the SSP, RRP and iLs into their therapy work. She is excited to achieve this via the Polyvagal Academy Australia.
Our purpose is to share Polyvagal-informed therapies and education to help improve mental health and wellness. We work with practitioners to provide mentorship and education workshops, as well as offer direct therapy services to individuals seeking support.
Joanne is the endorsed Unyte International Affiliate for SSP/RRP/iLs support and mentorship.
Polyvagal principles include the neurobiology of safety, regulation, relationship, and resilience.
Our courses are experiential so that you can embody the key pillars of Polyvagal Theory into your clinical work, education setting, work, family and daily life.
Our mission is to bring Polyvagal Principles and therapies into everyday wellbeing to empower every Australian to better regulate their autonomic nervous system for mental and physical health.
To partner with individuals and industry leaders in education, health, judicial, and business sectors to improve resilience and wellness through learning and implementing Polyvagal Principles and therapies, including the SSP, RRP or iLs programs.
Assisting with creating great learning oportunities for you.
Joanne McIntyre
Joanne McIntyre resides on a 100-acre farm called BURRA BRAE in the stunning rolling hills of Korumburra, Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. She divides her time between PVAA and seeing clients through her clinical practice, Unbridled Living Equine Assisted Mental Health Occupational Therapy.
Joanne is married with 3 young adult children and has an extended family of Thoroughbreds, Clydesdales, and a Labradoodle named Maverick. Joanne has been supporting Polyvagal education for over 15 years, which commenced when she resided in Florida and worked as an Instructor for Integrated Listening Systems, the original company that partnered with Dr Porges to expand his Safe and Sound Protocol into the therapy community.
Joanne has provided continuing education about Polyvagal Theory for the Australian Psychological Society and Occupational Therapy Australia and trained hundreds of practitioners in SSP or iLs.
Joanne offers clinical supervision and direct therapy services. Her favourite work is to offer SSP or RRP Equine-Assisted therapy through her Unbridled Living practice in Korumburra, Victoria.
Director of Polyvagal Education Development for Children and Families
Irena is the Clinical Director and Business Owner at Family Connections Sydney.
Irena has grown her clinical skills by layering knowledge from Occupational therapy frameworks of practice, Sensory Integration and Polyvagal Theory principles. She continuously seeks new knowledge from diverse areas such as neuroscience, developmental psychology, and trauma-informed literature.
Irena has been running Polyvagal-informed education programs for families and schools. She implements Polyvagal therapies such as the Safe and Sound Protocol daily in her practice.
Director of Education Planning
Kathy is the owner of Melbourne Occupational Therapy Associates and SensAbilities.
Kathy has expertise in diverse clinical fields bringing a wealth of knowledge to enable PVIA to achieve its mission.
Editor and Communications
John is a Physiotherapist and Business Owner. He enjoys supporting PVAA development and planning.
NZ Polyvagal Education Development
Beverley Flitton resides in Christchurch, NZ. She is married and has three children, with their youngest son having an intellectual disability. Emigrating with the family from London, UK in 2008, attaining a Diploma in Counselling, Diploma in Person Centred Art Therapy, MA in Counselling Inquiry, and completed a PhD in April 2008 from the University of Hertfordshire, UK.
Beverley was pivotal in establishing the New Zealand Trauma Conference hosting Dr Porges and other leaders in Trauma work.
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