The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

In-Office or Online

Listen. Feel better. It’s really that simple.

Listening to the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) helps us to feel safe. When we feel safe, we trust, we connect, and we heal.

The SSP was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and is based on his Polyvagal Theory. It uses specially filtered music to provide audible cues of safety that organically open the door to calmed emotions, clear thinking, and improved communication skills. Thus far, research conducted with both children and adults has shown significant results in the following areas:

• Anxiety and trauma-related challenges
• Social and emotional difficulties
• Auditory sensitivities
• Inattention
• Stressors that impact social engagement

More information about the SSP and how it works can be found at this official Unyte/SSP site.

Because it was first designed as an intervention for children on the autism spectrum, the trauma treatment community is breaking new ground in SSP use with clients of all ages. The original five hour protocol has been updated to include three pathways: Connect, Core, and Balance. The SSP is accessed through a mobile app, and over-the-ear headphones are used to listen to the music.

As a certified SSP Provider, I work with clients to carefully tailor a listening program that will most fully support their individual nervous system. We will schedule an initial intake session to talk about how your body currently responds to stressors, to set goals and a listening schedule, to provide you with somatic tools to assist with regulation during and after listening, and to have the first listening session together. You will then follow the listening schedule at home and provide regular feedback. As the primary emphasis of the protocol is on “Safe,” we will adjust the listening schedule based on that feedback.

TWO listening paths now available at Bodhisattva Bodywork!

1) The SSP as a 90 day customized Online Private Course for individual clients. This path is US$795 (750€). This price includes:

1. one intake, education, and guided listening 90 minute session,

2. a customized-for-you list of resources to collect and employ to facilitate regulation during listening,

3. a secure end-to-end encrypted account with access to your Personal SSP Dashboard,

4. SSP Connect, Core, and Balance app access for 90 days,

5. all practitioner remote monitoring,

6. email support,

7. two 15 minute Zoom chats to address questions and assess progress during treatment, and

8. a 30 minute follow-up post treatment session.

2) The SSP experienced as a member of a facilitated group. This path offers the opportunity to engage with two experienced SSP providers and to receive the listening protocol with others within the supportive structure of a seven session online course. For further information, please click here to access Masterclass: The Healing Power of Sound.

**Are you a newly-certified SSP Provider? Consultations now available for practitioners who have questions about combining the SSP with Somatic Experiencing® (SE™) or somatic touch skills (TEB, TST, SRR) sessions. Please click here to schedule your appointment.