Therapists often conceptualize resistance as client behaviors that impede progress; this perspective threatens the therapeutic alliance, especially in couple and family therapy where increased resistance and multiple alliances are present. Polyvagal theory reframes and normalizes resistant behaviors as preconscious, protective responses emerging from our autonomic nervous system. The theory also explains how humans reciprocate safety cues to connect with each other; therapists can use concepts of polyvagal theory to manage their own emotional regulation and foster safety and connection in therapy. Polyvagal concepts deepen our understanding of protective behaviors presenting in couple and family therapy; therapists can help couple and family clients to recognize protective behaviors in their own relationships and facilitate safer connection and engagement. Clinical implications are presented: psychoeducation can help clients normalize and understand their protective processes; therapist presence and immediacy acknowledges and normalizes protective behaviors as they arise; therapist and client self-regulation skills support connection; therapist genuineness is a precondition to client safety; and understanding of polyvagal theory enhances assessment of conflict and enactments in couple and family therapy.

治疗师通常将抵制概念化为阻碍进步的服务对象行为。这种观点威胁着治疗联盟，特别是在夫妻和家庭疗法中，抵抗力增强和存在多个联盟。多元迷走神经理论将抗性行为重构并归一化为自主神经系统中出现的前瞻性保护性反应。该理论还解释了人类如何通过安全提示相互联系。治疗师可以使用多迷走神经理论的概念来管理自己的情绪调节并促进治疗中的安全性和联系性。多元迷走神经概念加深了我们对夫妇和家庭疗法中保护行为的理解；治疗师可以帮助夫妇和家庭客户认识他们自己关系中的保护行为，并促进更安全的联系和参与。提出了临床意义：心理教育可以帮助服务对象正常化并了解其保护过程；治疗师的存在和即时性会确认保护行为的发生并使其正常化；治疗师和客户的自我调节技能支持联系；治疗师的真实性是确保客户安全的前提；对多元迷走神经理论的理解可以增强对夫妻和家庭疗法中冲突和成见的评估。治疗师和客户的自我调节技能支持联系；治疗师的真实性是确保客户安全的前提；对多元迷走神经理论的理解可以增强对夫妻和家庭疗法中冲突和成文法的评估。治疗师和客户的自我调节技能支持联系；治疗师的真实性是确保客户安全的前提；对多元迷走神经理论的理解可以增强对夫妻和家庭疗法中冲突和成文法的评估。