The Safe & Sound Protocol
what if you could directly access your nervous system and reshape it? what if it were as simple as listening to music?
meet the safe & sound protocol (SSP): a scientific, evidence-based intervention
What is the Safe & Sound Protocol?
The SSP is a non-invasive listening therapy based on Polyvagal Theory (see below). It is founded on decades of research and was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges more than 20 years ago. The SSP involves listening to 5 hours of music which has been filtered to a specific range of frequencies, those of the human voice. This exercises the muscles of the inner ear, which in turn stimulates the ventral vagus nerve - our social engagement system - the part of the nervous system involved in seeking safety and connection.
This serves to build the capacity of your nervous system, producing a more regulated physiological state. The SSP reduces stress and auditory sensitivity, enhances our social engagement, and fosters resilience - we become less reactive and more responsive.
Who would benefit from the SSP?
The SSP has helped clients with the following challenges:
Anxiety
Trauma and PTSD
Autism Spectrum Disorder
ADHD
Selective Mutism
Chronic pain
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Functional Neurological Disorder
Sleep difficulties
Inattention/difficulty with focus
Auditory sensitivities
Reading and auditory processing
Behavioural regulation
Coordination and balance
Speech and language difficulties
Social and emotional difficulties
It should be noted that the SSP is not safe to use with certain clients, such as those with a seizure disorder.
What is Polyvagal Theory?
Polyvagal Theory is “the science of feeling safe” - it focuses on what is happening in our bodies and nervous systems and explains how our behaviour is impacted by our sense of safety or our sense of danger/threat.
The vagus nerve, the longest cranial nerve which runs from our brainstem to our colon, connects the mind and the body. The vagus nerve is involved in regulating many critical functions of our body including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and even speaking.
Our nervous systems respond to cues of safety or danger below conscious awareness; Dr. Porges coined the term neuroception to describe this process. Through neuroception our nervous systems respond to signals through three different pathways:
Ventral vagal state:
responds to cues of safety
social engagement and connection
where we can be our “true selves”
Sympathetic state:
responds to cues of danger/threat
mobilizing energy of “fight or flight”
you might feel anxious, stressed, or angry
Dorsal vagal state:
responds to cues of extreme danger/threat
immobilization and protective state of collapse
you might feel numb, depressed, or dissociated
Sometimes experiences such as trauma can leave us “stuck” between the sympathetic state of fight-or-flight and dorsal vagal collapse. We now know that our brains and nervous systems are able to change - this ability is known as neuroplasticity. The SSP utilizes this neuroplasticity by gently and specifically activating certain neural pathways, strengthening them, and creating new pathways. The result is a decrease of sympathetic and dorsal vagal states, and increased time in the ventral vagal state.
Dr. Stephen Porges summarizing Polyvagal Theory
What does SSP therapy look like?
The SSP involves listening to 5 hours of filtered music, broken down into 30-60 minute segments, usually completed within 14 days. There are four playlists available to choose from:
Original - truly an eclectic playlist, ranging from Motown to City and Colour
Wonder - previously referred to as the children’s playlist, but fun for all ages
Classical Flow - purely classical music without any vocals/lyrics
Freely - an “ambient-fusion” mix created specifically for the SSP
While you may start to notice benefits right away, you may continue to notice benefits over the six weeks following the SSP.
The SSP may be done in-person or online; however, certain clients are not good candidates for online therapy (e.g., history of significant trauma).
My role as the therapist is to provide a safe environment for listening. As this intervention is directly stimulating the nervous system, you may experience physical sensations and/or strong emotional reactions - I am there to help you pause and regulate. Your nervous system needs to be in a calm and regulated state to receive the full benefit of the therapy. For this reason we allow lots of time in each session - 60 minutes for a half hour of listening, and 90 minutes for an hour of listening.
During the SSP the client actively listens to music while engaged in a relaxing activity such as colouring or crafting. Some clients choose to close their eyes and relax on the couch in-office, or in the comfort of their own home if done remotely.
What does the SSP therapy cost?
The total cost of the SSP is $850 and includes:
Use of the SSP system (Unyte-ILS)
5 hours of listening time and up to 10 hours with the therapist
Support by phone or email between listening sessions if needed
This does not include assessment for suitability of the SSP - this is incorporated into a regular session. For new clients, there is an initial, 30-minute intake consultation which is $80.
Some clients may qualify to complete the SSP with limited therapist presence* - the cost for remote SSP listening is $480 and includes:
Use of the SSP system (Unyte-ILS) and remote app
5 hours of listening time
Up to 2 hours with the therapist
Support by phone or email between listening sessions if needed
*This is assessed on a case-by-case basis using the guidelines put forth by Unyte-ILS. I adhere to these guidelines to ensure client safety.
The cost for remote child/adolescent SSP listening (facilitated by a parent/caregiver) is $360 and includes:
Use of the SSP system (Unyte-ILS) and remote app
5 hours of listening time
Support by phone or email between listening sessions if needed
Detailed parental/caregiver instructions
If the total cost is not affordable up-front, a payment plan can be arranged.
Benefits my clients have personally noticed:
Improved sleep (duration, quality, less awakenings)
Increased energy
Feeling calm and relaxed
Decreased anxiety and hyper-vigilance
Deeper breathing
Better able to handle day-to-day stress and even stressful life events
Increased focus and attention
Increased motivation
Improved emotional regulation
Decreased reactivity
Improved communication and connections with others
My Personal Experience
As part of the training, we as providers must go through the SSP. Even though I had heard all of the evidence and case studies, I was still skeptical that listening to music would actually do anything mentally or physically. The most noticeable difference has been improved mental clarity and focus. I have been able to read a lot more books since completing the SSP, and retain the information. I have more energy and I find it easier to cope with challenging life events. My fear and panic on the ski hill even disappeared : )