Polyvagal Theory Informed Offerings
We are Samantha Grimaldi, MS, LPC, and Samantha Saks, LCSW, known collectively as "The Sams." Since 2020, we've been facilitating discussions and trainings on Polyvagal Theory (PVT) for therapists.
Our shared passion for making PVT accessible and applicable in clinical work has led us to develop a structured, supportive model designed to help clinicians not only learn but fully embody Polyvagal-informed care.
Polyvagal Theory isn’t just something we teach, it’s something we practice. Our work together is relational, experiential, and applied, blending theory with real-world clinical tools. Our model ensures that clinicians can not only understand PVT conceptually but feel confident using it in their therapeutic work through co-regulation, integration, and ongoing consultation.
Our Model: Learn, Deepen + Sustain
Polyvagal Theory isn’t just a concept, it’s a way of seeing, understanding, and experiencing the world. It explains not just what happens in therapy, but why therapy works through the lens of the nervous system.
Learn, Deepen & Sustain is designed to reflect the core principles of PVT. Through this model, we don’t just teach PVT, we embody it.
Our trainings provide the foundation, helping clinicians understand and experience these principles in a co-regulated space.
Our consultation groups create a space for ongoing integration, where the nervous system learns through repetition, safety, and practice.
Everything we do is intentional, from the structure of our groups to the way we engage in them. We don’t just talk about co-regulation, we practice it, so you can bring it into your clinical work with confidence. This model supports both the science and lived experience of Polyvagal Theory, offering clinicians not just knowledge, but a felt sense of safety, choice, and connection.
Our Offerings
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🔹 A 4-hour, small-group training (maximum of 6 participants)
🔹 Covers foundational Polyvagal Theory concepts and real-world applications for therapy
🔹 Includes experiential exercises and practical tools for creating safety and connection in clinical work
🔹 Investment: $150 per person
📍 Location: In-person at our office in [Your Location]
🗓️ Upcoming training dates: [Insert dates or link to sign up]What’s next? After completing this training, you’ll have the option to join our Deepen & Sustain consultation groups for ongoing support.
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For those who already have a foundation in PVT, our virtual, closed-group consultation offers a consistent, co-regulating space to deepen understanding and integrate PVT into clinical practice.
What makes this group different?
✅ Closed-group format – the same group members each month to ensure safety, trust, and co-regulation
✅ Monthly 60-minute virtual sessions
✅ Small group size (4-7 participants) for meaningful discussion and case consultation
✅ A space to integrate Polyvagal Theory into your clinical work in a real and applicable way📅 Commitment & Cost:
💰 $60 per session (60x12 = $720 total)Paid upfront ($720) or in monthly installments ($60/month)
📍 Meets virtually (no travel required!)
🗓️ Groups forming now – inquire for openings!
Why a Closed Group?
Polyvagal Theory is not just information—it’s an experience.
A closed-group setting ensures trust, predictability, and safety over time.
Learning in community with familiar faces enhances co-regulation and embodied integration of Polyvagal concepts.
Unlike one-time trainings, this space allows for progressive deepening of knowledge and practice.
Meet the Sams
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Samantha Saks, LCSW
Samantha Saks is the owner and sole clinician at Journey to Meliora, LLC, where she specializes in trauma-informed care with a strong focus on mind-body integration. In addition to talk therapy, Samantha has integrated mind-body work into her practice by running mindfulness-based functional fitness groups to promote nervous system flexibility. Through these practices, Samantha has developed a strong interest in Polyvagal Theory, which she believes is the intervening variable that provides the scientific basis for trauma healing and nervous system work. Samantha has pursued further Polyvagal Theory education, completing the Clinical Applications in Polyvagal Treatment with Deb Dana and Stephen Porges Training. Samantha co-facilitates Polyvagal Theory workshops and consultation groups alongside Samantha Grimaldi, sharing their transformative knowledge with clinicians and helping them apply these principles in their clinical settings. Together, Samantha Saks and Samantha Grimaldi have been facilitating discussions and trainings on Polyvagal Theory to therapists since 2020, starting at a group practice they worked at together. The Sams empower others to integrate Polyvagal-informed care into their therapeutic work, supporting healing and resilience in trauma survivors.
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Samantha Grimaldi MS, LPC
Samantha Grimaldi is the owner and sole clinician at CoCreate Healing Center, LLC. Specializing in trauma-informed care and complex trauma, Samantha integrates Polyvagal Theory into her work with adults who have experienced childhood and relational trauma. Her passion for understanding the nervous system’s role in healing stems from both her professional and personal experiences, including her own journey with vasovagal syncope. This has driven her to explore the autonomic nervous system’s impact on trauma and healing, making Polyvagal Theory the cornerstone of her therapeutic approach. Samantha completed Deb Dana's Six-Month Immersive Foundations of Polyvagal Informed Practice Training, further deepening her expertise in applying this theory to clinical practice. Together with Samantha Saks, Samantha Grimaldi co-facilitates Polyvagal Theory workshops and consultation groups, providing clinicians and clients with the tools to understand and regulate their nervous systems. Since 2020, the Sams have been facilitating discussions and trainings on Polyvagal Theory to therapists, beginning at a group practice they worked at together. Samantha is dedicated to helping both clinicians and trauma survivors apply Polyvagal-informed care to foster safety, connection, and long-lasting healing.
