Download Our Brochure

Call Us Today

USA: +1 (866) 801 6184 | UK: +44 (20) 3668 1606
or request a call back

We Are Polyvagal Theory Informed

Khiron Clinics; The First Polyvagal Informed Certified Residential Clinic in the World
Polyvagal Theory Expert Image of Dr. Stephen Porges, trauma expert with quote about Khiron Clinics- "Khiron Clinics is the place to go for trauma treatment"
Mental Health Clinic - Khiron Play Button for Video
Khiron Clinics is proud to be certified by the Polyvagal Institute. Discover how Polyvagal Theory provides an avenue to realise how our physical state can influence our emotional and cognitive behaviour. Explore what our certification means and how it influences our organisation.
Download Our Brochure
Polyvagal Theory Expert Dr Stephen Porges at Khiron Clinics
Mental Health Clinic - Khiron Play Button for Video

“If you want to improve the world, start by making people feel safer.”

Dr Stephen Porges

What is Polyvagal Theory?

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explores how our nervous system responds to stress and trauma. It highlights the role of the vagus nerve in regulating emotional and physiological states, emphasising the importance of safety and connection in promoting healing. This theory provides a framework for understanding how our bodies react to perceived threats and how we can foster resilience through safe, supportive environments.
Polyvagal Theory Book by Stephen Porges
Dr Stephen Porges Trauma Expert Bio Image

“If our nervous system detects safety, then it’s no longer defensive. When it’s no longer defensive, then the circuits of the autonomic nervous system support health, growth, and restoration.”
Dr stephen porges

Who is Stephen Porges?

Dr. Stephen Porges is a distinguished neuroscientist and the founder of Polyvagal Theory. His groundbreaking work has transformed our understanding of the autonomic nervous system, particularly how social behaviour and physiological states are interconnected. Dr. Porges’ research highlights the significance of creating therapeutic environments that prioritise perceived safety and trust in the body, which are essential for effective trauma treatment.

Why a Polyvagal Informed Certification Matters

Being the first Polyvagal Informed Certified Residential Clinic in the world sets Khiron Clinics apart. This certification means that our entire team, from the board members to the gardeners, is well-versed in the language of trauma. Our staff undergo comprehensive training to understand and apply Polyvagal informed principles in their interactions with clients, ensuring a consistent, trauma-informed approach across all levels of care.
Logo of the Polyvagal Institute - Polyvagal Informed

The Importance of a Polyvagal Informed Approach

An image with text that reads: "Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective. Based on Stephen Porges' Groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory." This text, relevant to PTSD treatment, is written in two separate black rectangles.
Mental Health Clinic - Khiron Play Button for Video
A Polyvagal Informed approach is crucial because it prioritises the creation of a safe, supportive environment essential for trauma recovery. By focusing on the body’s physiological responses to stress, we can better address the root causes of trauma rather than just its symptoms. This approach helps clients build resilience, re-establish a sense of safety, and foster genuine connections with others, promoting long-term healing and well-being.
Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective" and "Based on Stephen Porges' Groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory" in bold, black letters against a crisp white background, highlighting the transformative insights of the polyvagal theory.
Mental Health Clinic - Khiron Play Button for Video

Integration of Polyvagal Theory in Our Programs

At Khiron Clinics, we integrate Polyvagal Theory into our treatment programs to offer therapies that address the physical and sensory impacts of trauma before tackling cognitive or emotional issues. This method helps clients release “frozen” energy from past threats and supports the resolution of unfinished responses, leading to lasting recovery. Khiron Clinics’ dedication to Polyvagal Theory exemplifies our commitment to leading the way in trauma-informed care. By embedding these principles into our practice, we ensure that every client receives the highest standard of care in a truly supportive and understanding environment. For more detailed information about Polyvagal Theory and its applications, visit the Polyvagal Institute​.

The 6 Key Areas:

Polyvagal Theory has been integral to the clinical work at Khiron Clinics since its inception, guiding our somatic trauma training for clinicians. Since 2017, we have refined our focus on delivering the theory, particularly through the three states of regulation and the ‘Polyvagal Ladder’. This framework has become a core component of our psychoeducation, helping clients develop tolerance as they prepare to address their traumatic memories. As one of the Four Pillars of treatment at Khiron Clinics, Polyvagal Theory is delivered through workshops and one-to-one sessions tailored to each client’s needs. Therapists work with clients to identify elements of the Polyvagal Ladder, consistently integrating these insights into therapy. This approach profoundly changes clients’ relationships with themselves and their bodies, fostering lasting healing and resilience.
At Khiron Clinics, we adopt a neurophysiological and relational approach to trauma recovery, emphasising trauma-informed, healthy human interactions. Our service is built on the principles of curiosity, self-awareness, and personal development. We have an extended training program for both administrative and clinical staff that incorporates Polyvagal Theory, compassionate relational practices, and mindfulness. We encourage and support our team in pursuing their own therapy. Additionally, we regularly practice present-moment awareness and check in with each other to foster a mindful and supportive environment. Through these efforts, we strive to maintain a calm and supportive environment for both staff and clients, promoting co-regulation and collective healing.
The clinical team, support workers, and administrative staff are all well-versed in the States of Regulation and understand the importance of personal and group regulation. They can quickly recognize when their system is dysregulated and sympathetic. This awareness and the ability to relate to and support each other have become an accepted and integral part of our culture. At the start of some meetings, we take a few minutes to center and ground ourselves, followed by a check-in to gauge everyone’s current state. If someone appears triggered or activated, we acknowledge it and offer appropriate support. In times of conflict, we employ the Talking Boundary model to ensure validation and safe communication.
The staff, at all levels, are in ongoing training and supervision. We have scheduled breaks within the working day, and attention is given to our self-regulation at work and outside. Even during the hiring process, the importance of candidates always taking care of themselves is emphasised.
We have dedicated and refurbished rooms to create a staff area that is as comfortable as possible. We also undertook a significant refurbishment of the whole house to upgrade it to a more suitable working and living environment. We have many plants indoors and outdoors, pets, and generally, a sense of care for the premises is present. We are incredibly privileged to be in a location of extraordinary beauty.
Our primary focus is on ensuring that everyone feels safe, and this extends to our communication methods. We approach discussions about our services with sensitivity and care, avoiding direct selling or aggressive marketing in our newsletters and social media. We inform and educate rather than sell. All our messaging is hopeful and positive, not frightening, and negative. For example, we avoid negative selling tactics like saying, “Are you desperately depressed? Khiron is the only solution for you.” Instead, we focus on offering valuable information, education, and exploration to prospects and clients. This approach fosters a supportive environment, emphasising education, understanding and growth rather than persuasion.
A cozy living room corner features a plush pink armchair with a small cushion, a modern floor lamp with a tray attached, a gray geometric rug, and a small black round stool. A potted plant sits in a blue pot near a black-and-white console table—an inviting space reminiscent of Khiron Clinics' soothing environments.

How We Treat

Explore our approach to trauma treatment, and gain insights into the many different nervous-system based therapies we deliver, all firmly rooted in science.

A group of people sits in a circle on chairs, some holding notebooks and pens. They are casually dressed, suggesting an informal meeting or group discussion at Khiron Clinics. The view is from above, focusing on their legs and not showing faces clearly, perhaps during a session for trauma treatment.

What We Treat

Trauma can manifest in a number of different mental and physical health issues. Explore our unique philosophy behind what we treat and why it gives people hope.

A white speech bubble-shaped paper with "THIS IS MY STORY..." written in black marker, displayed on a textured brown background, symbolizes the beginning of personal healing journeys in trauma treatment.

Testimonials

Khiron Clinics’ unique approach to trauma treatment has saved countless lives and restored hope to people who need it most. Discover their stories here.

Khiron Mental Health Clinics Guide to treatment

Download the Brochure

Discover Our Innovative Trauma Recovery Pathway

Find out more about how we treat, what we treat, our clinics, pricing and more.
Download Now

Polyvagal Theory FAQs

Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, explains how the nervous system responds to stress and safety. It highlights the role of the vagus nerve in controlling the “fight or flight” and “rest and digest” responses. Khiron Clinics uses this understanding to help clients regulate their nervous system, promoting healing.

At Khiron Clinics, we apply Polyvagal Theory by focusing on creating a sense of safety, helping clients move from a reactive state to a more balanced, calm one. This approach supports recovery from trauma, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.

Polyvagal-informed therapy at Khiron Clinics is used to treat a range of conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and emotional dysregulation. It’s particularly effective for trauma survivors, helping them reconnect with their body’s natural regulatory systems.

Khiron Clinics offers treatments approved by the Polyvagal Institute, including trauma-sensitive therapies like somatic experiencing, trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness practices and the safe and sound protocol (SSP) that help clients regulate their autonomic nervous system and support long-term recovery.

Our therapists create a secure, supportive environment where clients start to learn how to feel safe. By fostering trust and focusing on non-verbal cues, such as tone of voice and body language, residents at Khiron Clinics can begin to regulate their nervous system more effectively.

The duration varies according to the individual, but many residents begin to notice improvements within a few weeks. Khiron Clinics’ approach is tailored to each person, ensuring progress at a pace that’s comfortable and sustainable.

At Khiron Clinics, we offer a 3 hour family workshop that offers psycho- education and guidance that includes helping families understand Polyvagal Theory and how they can assist in creating a supportive home environment.

Yes, Polyvagal-informed therapy is effective for individuals of all ages. At Khiron Clinics, we tailor treatments to the developmental stage of the client, ensuring that children and adolescents receive appropriate, compassionate care.

Get in Touch

Simple line drawing of a smartphone with a circular button below the screen, displayed in white against a black background.

USA: +1 (866) 801 6184
UK: +44 (20) 3668 1606

Menu

Follow Us

Stay in Touch

Sign up to our newsletter and receive the occasional email from us on Khiron news, updates, wisdom from the experts, inspiring stories and more.

"*" indicates required fields

Consent
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

© Copyright 2025 Khiron Clinics. All right reserved

Privacy Policy 

Khiron Mental Health Clinics Guide to treatment

Discover Our Innovative Trauma Recovery Pathway

Find out more about how we treat, what we treat, our clinics, pricing and more.

"*" indicates required fields

Consent*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Request A Call Back