Presenter Profile

Paul North

Psychologist

Paul is an Australian psychologist with more than 35 years of experience in the field of developmental disabilities and trauma therapy, assisting both children and adults. He has worked at the most senior government levels in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as both a clinician and consultant. Paul was the inaugural chair of the Restrictive Practice Panel for the Office of the Senior Practioner and wrote the legislation for the Australian Capital Territory on how to run a restrictive practice panel. Paul is also an accredited EMDR practitioner and Safe and Sound Protocol provider.

In 2011, Paul met Dr Stephen Porges at a conference in Sydney, Australia. Dr Porges is the creator of the Polyvagal Theory, also known as “The Science of Safety”. Following that meeting, Paul remained in contact with Dr Porges and they formed a strong friendship over the next decade. In 2020, Paul felt inspired to write a children’s book, based on Polyvagal Theory with his wife, Dr Lydia So, a Developmental Paediatrician. Dr Porges was kind enough to endorse the book, called Safe and Sound- A story about a little girl who overcomes fear. In 2022, Paul presented at the International Childhood Trauma Conference in Melbourne on the clinical applications of using this book. Following this presentation, it became apparent that a polyvagal-informed parenting book was greatly needed. Late in 2024 a major US Publisher agreed to publish this book in March of 2026. Paul is joined in this endeavour by Lydia So and another colleague from the US, Michael Allison. Dr Porges will write the forward and the book will be endorsed by the Polyvagal Institute.