The Use of Ventral Vagal Tone Enhancement Exercises to Facilitate Clinical Hypnosis
(5 Simple Practices to Increase Inner Safety and Calmness)
Presenter: Harvey Zarren, MD, FACC
Overview
Clinical Hypnosis is a wonderful tool to enhance almost any interaction between human beings and is particularly useful in helping practitioners alleviate physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social suffering. At this time, when the social and political context—both in our country and in the world—is so chaotic, fearful, divisive, and intense, contextual stress can intensify the suffering that individual patients or clients experience from their specific issues.
Exercises that enhance ventral vagal nervous system tone can biologically and quickly lower the intensity of stress a person is experiencing and can allow easier utilization of Clinical Hypnosis techniques for healing specific personal issues.
In this 3-hour workshop, attendees will learn five simple exercises to increase ventral vagal tone, each with immediate effects on enhancing calmness and inner safety, thereby enabling greater utilization and effectiveness of Clinical Hypnosis.
Learning Goals
- Identify the key components of the Autonomic Nervous System.
- Describe the Polyvagal Theory.
- Demonstrate five exercises designed to enhance ventral vagal tone.
- Apply ventral vagal exercises to specific clients/patients to enhance Clinical Hypnosis sessions.
Learning Program
| Time |
Activity |
| 10:00 a.m. |
Welcome, housekeeping, introductions, schedule |
| 10:10 a.m. |
Review of Human Autonomic Nervous System (Didactic – PowerPoint) |
| 10:30 a.m. |
The Polyvagal Theory (Didactic – PowerPoint) |
| 11:00 a.m. |
Demonstration of Five Ventral Vagal Exercises |
| 11:45 a.m. |
Break |
| 12:00 p.m. |
Small Group Practice of Ventral Vagal Exercises |
| 12:50 p.m. |
Whole Group Discussion and Q&A |
| 1:10 p.m. |
Adjourn |
References
Bonaz, B. et al. (2017). The Vagus Nerve in the Neuro-Immune Axis: Implications in the Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Frontiers in Immunology, 8, Article 1452.
De Benedettis, G. (2024). Hypnotic Modulation of Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity. Brain Sciences, 14, 249.
Shao, P. et al. (2023). Role of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in the Treatment of Chronic Pain. Neuroimmunomodulation, 30, 167–183.
About the Presenter — Dr. Harvey S. Zarren, MD, FACC
Dr. Harvey S. Zarren is a board-certified cardiologist, wellness consultant, and clinical hypnosis educator with more than five decades of medical experience. A graduate of Tufts University School of Medicine, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps before establishing a distinguished career in internal medicine and cardiology.
He is the founder of the Connected Healing Institute in Swampscott, Massachusetts, where he provides wellness consultations, clinical hypnosis, and integrative health workshops. Dr. Zarren has also served as Physician Director for The Healing Connection and the Healing Your Heart Program at North Shore Medical Center/Union Hospital, integrating mind-body approaches into cardiac care.
Date: November 16, 2025 | 10:00 a.m.–1:10 p.m. EST
Cost: $45 for Non-Members; included in NESCH Membership for members in good standing.
At least 30 days’ notice is required for a full refund. There is a $30 cancellation fee for cancellations after October 17, 2025.
Continuing Education
CE and CME fees are an additional $30. CME and CE credits have been applied for; approvals will be posted upon receipt.
ASCH: This event is pending approval by ASCH to offer 3.0 ASCH continuing education credits.
Please note that attendance for the entire program is required to earn continuing education credit. Partial credit is not available.
Questions? Email neschmsc@gmail.com