The PVT, as developed by Stephen Porges, has a profound impact on how we understand the human ANS and our emphasis on staying safe and connected with others. Although having been adopted in behavioral health circles, the theory is just beginning to break ground in terms of how we view other clinical specialties (such as primary care), as well as nonclinical aspects of healthcare.

As we have reviewed in this book, PVT concepts can be applied to help us become better leaders, managers, and healthcare team members. By introducing the core concepts of this theory and exploring how they might be helpful in these various aspects of running a healthcare organization, we hope you will have gained some new ideas and tools. Ultimately, the goal is to help reduce stress and burnout in staff, improve clinical outcomes in patients, and reduce overall costs by reducing staff turnover and lengths of stay for patients (in hospital services).