Episode 78: How to Use the Polyvagal Theory to Prevent Burnout with Gabrielle Julian-Villani, MSW,LCSW

2023-04-12

Gabrielle Julian-Villani is a Master of Social Work (MSW), Burnout Prevention & Recovery Coach, Business Mindset Coach, Clinical Consultant for Therapists, & Fellow Recovering Workaholic. She successfully sold her thriving therapy practice in 2021 and traded it in for a lifestyle of freedom and flexibility. After growing her in-home counseling business in 4 years to employ 15 clinicians, she knows what it takes to overcome her business challenges and mental roadblocks to success. She created GJV Consulting & Training to combine her shrewd business sense from decades of building her own successful company with her clinical knowledge as a therapist to help...

In this episode, Gabrielle shares her story on how burnout had led her to sell her thriving therapy practice which allowed her to live with more freedom and flexibility. She talked about polyvagal theory and how it helped her to be more relaxed and stress free. She has then used this theory in her professional and personal life. When people are in a state of burnout,they tend to have a fight or flight response. Gabrielle also gave specific examples of this that she has seen in her practice.

The freeze response is one of the three responses of the autonomic nervous system to stress, along with fight and flight. So when a group practice owner experiences chronic stress or burnout, it may lead them to freeze and have this as a response which Gabrielle will be describing in this episode.

Take action to prevent burnout and manage stress by seeking support from colleagues, mentors, or mental health professionals. Don't wait until the freeze response takes over, prioritize your well-being!

Episode Highlights:

How has it been for Gabrielle after she sold her group practice and how is she now as she works as a full time consultant
What is polyvagal theory and how is she using it on her professional and personal life
Specific examples of fight or flight response that she has seen in her group practice
How the freeze response looks like for a group practice owner
Top three things that Gabrielle does to get her body back into regulated mode
What is sound healing