The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
I am happy to offer The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) at my practice! Below you will find some information regarding the SSP. If you would like more information about how I use SSP in my practice and for pricing, please feel free to contact me directly. If you are outside of Virginia and would like to find an SSP provider in your state, please visit: https://integratedlistening.com/about/locations/
About the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through filtered music. As a practical application of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to re-tune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration and resilience. The SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider, in-person or remotely. Suitable for children and adults, the SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.
Highlights of the SSP:
A five-hour auditory intervention developed and patented by Dr. Stephen Porges, author of the Polyvagal Theory
Designed to reduce sound sensitivity, and improve auditory processing and behavioral state regulation
Activates the client’s social engagement system, helping to accelerate and enhance therapeutic outcomes
Supports physiological state regulation, allowing for greater resilience
Polyvagal Theory: The Science of Feeling Safe
Developed by world-renowned researcher and Unyte’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr. Stephen Porges, Polyvagal Theory focuses on what is happening in the body and the nervous system, and explains how our sense of safety, danger or life-threat can impact our behavior. Understanding Polyvagal Theory gives us a scientific framework that can be applied through physiological, or “bottom-up” therapies, to help change and improve how we feel, think and connect with others.
The Three Pathways of the SSP
SSP Connect
SSP Connect includes three new 5-hour playlists of full spectrum, unfiltered music. It is offered as a suggested, but optional, pathway to give context for the client, and to provide a less demanding introduction and foundation for listening to the SSP. This pathway provides the opportunity for the SSP provider to connect with the client, and for the client to connect with the experience of listening to music as a part of therapy. If used as an entry point for SSP Core, SSP Connect is an invitation or warm up to the SSP for those who would benefit from a slower and gentler introduction. It can help develop familiarity with the music and listening process, thereby providing a sense of comfort and safety for the client to experience the music, and set up a sense of expectancy for what is to come. SSP Connect can be used as a soothing and settling experience for those who feel anxious or tense; as a way of creating a sense of safety and expectancy; as a preparatory program before SSP Core or SSP Balance; can be used as needed if the client is experiencing difficulty or distress.
SSP Core (required part of the program)
This is the existing, original SSP that has been used by thousands of providers and tens of thousands of clients since its release in March, 2017. It is Dr. Porges’ patented intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. Clinically, SSP Core remains exactly the same, with the same algorithms to modulate the frequencies and acoustic energy of the music. SSP Core is the essential step in the program.
SSP Balance
SSP Balance is a pathway that can be used to extend and integrate the gains of the SSP Core and potentially act as a state stabilizer. SSP Balance was developed as a follow up to the SSP Core to offer an opportunity to return to music as a calming and grounding experience with a less strenuous neural workout. The music in SSP Balance uses the same playlists as SSP Core, but is treated to present the frequency envelope of human voice with a narrower and less dynamic modulation around this range. It should feel like less of an exercise program than SSP Core and more of a re-experiencing of the cues of safety your client will remember from SSP Core. There is no particular order necessary for listening to the music in SSP Balance as the filtration algorithm for each hour is the same. This means you can feel free to keep returning to the same hour or halfhour segment that appeals to you or your client or move freely in any order. You can listen ambiently via speakers or your computer or any type of headphone. Many find it to be calming and grounding and use it as a daily state shifter and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my nervous system is dysregulated?
Dysregulation can be a result of many various stressors such as trauma, chronic stress, illness, long COVID, neglect, etc. Features of dysregulation include but are not limited to: anxiety, depression, gut issues, chronic pain, chronic fatigue, aggression, sleep disorders, immune system difficulties, skin problems, difficulty regulating body temperature and heart rate, among many others.
What are some common positive responses?
Some common positive responses include: easier and more spontaneous social connection, reduced sound sensitivity, better emotional control, improvements in auditory and other sensory activities, improved access to executive functions, and higher cognitive abilities. You may also see: greater focus and attention, improved learning, enhanced sleep, lower pain levels, enhanced expressive and receptive language skills, lowered anxiety, better physiological state regulation, and increased effectiveness of other modalities (psychotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.)
Are there any adverse effects?
Everyone responds to treatment differently. Some clients may experience a temporary increase in arousal or symptoms. Some of these temporary symptoms include: increased auditory or other sensory sensitivities, ear discomfort, pressure or “ringing,” emotional dysregulation (changes in arousal), gastrointestinal discomfort, fatigue, and headache. These symptoms are temporary and often resolve as we adjust our treatment plan.
Who should not utilize SSP?
There are a few situations when the SSP is not recommended. We will not be using the SSP if you:
have conditions related to the structure of the ear (i.e. Perforated or ruptured eardrum, stapedectomy, tympanostomy tubes) – need doctor’s approval first
are experiencing active psychosis
have active or uncontrolled seizures (must be seizure free for at least one year before beginning)
are actively experiencing tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
are actively demonstrating self-harm
are actively reporting thoughts of suicide
Information about Unyte
Unyte is a category-creating neuro-tech company with proprietary, clinical-grade solutions and a loyal (and growing!) provider community of 3,000+ mental health and neurodevelopmental professionals with a shared mission to help people become more aware, regulated, and resilient so they can better respond to life’s challenges and live happier and healthier lives.
Purpose
We help transform the lives of children and adults everyday through empowering therapists, educators, clinicians and healthcare providers to guide their clients to feel better, think better, and connect better through improved nervous system regulation.
Mission
Our mission is to empower every person to guide their nervous system to be more aware, regulated and resilient so they can feel safe, happy and healthy and more effectively respond to life’s challenges.