What is Polyvagal Pathways?

Polyvagal Pathways is an 8 week small group program for young people who want to find ways that work for them to help manage big unwanted feelings that intrude on their ability to engage fully in daily life.

Built on the science of Polyvagal Theory and using evidence-based creative approaches, this program aims to help young people:
✅ Recognise their emotional states
✅ Develop strategies to regulate unhelpful emotions
✅ Build meaningful connections

Our vision for Polyvagal Pathways:

💡 Create a flexible, responsive, youth-informed program that will create lasting change for participants.

🚀 Train young people to become facilitators - young leaders who can relate to participants.

🌏 Expand the program’s reach - to other Australian communities.

Help us create a program that is for young people by young people.

Create a piece of art that represents any Basic State described below.

What to do

Choose at least ONE of the 4 states to create an art work (see descriptions below that may help you in your creation).

Create an art work - using whatever medium you like (paints, crayons, collage, digital art, mixed media, drawing, digital art) whatever feels right for you in showing what the state is like for you.

Description

We are developing resources to use in Polyvagal Pathways, and want the art work to come from young people, so it will be relatable and resonate with the young people participating in the program.

Submitting your art work

Attach to the email:

• a high resolution photo of the art work:

• Completed and signed Permission to use art work.

Send to:

tracey@rainbowcreationsarttherapy.com

There are 4 basic states (according to Polyvagal Theory) that we move through at different times, every day:

Look at all the fabulous art work we have already received...

Our team

I couldn't do this great work on my own. I am grateful to have had support from the fabulous social skills team at the Centre for Healthy Living in the creation of Polyvagal Pathways. Their experience and passion for providing quality programs to address identified needs for our local youth, is well-known in the Southern Downs Region of rural Queensland. Their commitment to this project has helped to ensure the final product will be of the highest standard and will deliver successful outcomes for all participants in the program.

Tracey Mekitarian

Creator of Polyvagal Pathways

CFHL Team

The team from the Centre for Healthy Living, who have supported me in this adventure are made up of psychologists, developmental educators, social workers and counsellors all working together to create this much needed program for our local youth.

Local Artist

Local artist and winner of the polyvagal Pathways Art Competition, Peyton Russell, has been commissioned to produce a number of art works for other program resources