Safe and Sound: How Listening Can Heal
Living through the pandemic has put significant stress on my nervous system. For many of us, there has been a lot to navigate; changing risk levels, opening and closings, shifting ways to remain connected and grounded in relationships. The pandemic, resulting isolation, and stresses of daily life have dysregulated the nervous systems of my family.
As a social worker, and trauma survivor, I can recognize the symptoms of a dysregulated or overstressed nervous system including (but not limited to):
depression
anxiety
insomnia
difficulty with attention
difficulty with memory
low immune systems
body aches and pains
digestive issues
When experiencing dysregulation of the nervous system, finding a sense of safety is critical to the healing process. When we experience trauma or chronic stress, our bodies interpret that as being under threat, even in cases when there is no real threat present. Without establishing a baseline of safety, it becomes very difficult to move towards regulation and feeling better. This threat response is something we cannot turn off but we can re-train it.
What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
As a social worker, I am passionate about exploring signs and feelings of safety. Neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, the founder of polyvagal theory, developed a protocol to work directly on the nervous system called the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP).
Porges' research identified that the auditory system is a portal closely tied to a bundle of nerves called the vagus nerve, part of the autonomic nervous system. This nervous system plays a key role in controlling our sense of safety. He found that through toning the inner ear muscles, the functioning of cranial nerves related to autonomic nervous system regulation was improved.
SSP ongoing research indicates that the SSP can show significant results for people experiencing;
emotional dysregulation
social engagement
auditory sensitivities and processing
anxiety and trauma-related challenges and inattention.
Listening Can Help us Heal
The Safe and Sound Protocol is delivered with a qualified therapist to help support the emphasis on the safety of the protocol. Unlike traditional talk therapy, the SSP is a different type of intervention. It involves listening: listening to shifts and signs of safety in the nervous system while listening to music.
I have listened to music on headphones before and I have been a long-time practitioner of mindfulness meditation. Yet what the SSP offers is different. SSP music is specifically modified to accentuate the prosodic or rhythmic human voice and progressively tone the muscles of the inner ear. The effect I experienced was far more significant than simply listening to music. During the 5 stages of the protocol, I experienced shifts in my mood and auditory sensitivity.
While at first, I was skeptical, by the end of the protocol I was looking forward to the calm regulation and gentle stimulation that the program provoked within my nervous system. Since then I’ve been privileged to work with several people using SSP and note the unique way the SSP process interacts with each person’s nervous system to promote a greater sense of safety and calm.
If you experience anxiety or trauma, auditory sensitivities, social and emotional difficulties or inattention, the Safe and Sound Protocol may be a good fit for you.
New Pathways Therapy is a place of growth and recovery, where people can access holistic mental health support through mind-body therapies. Our integrative and client-centred approach is rooted in the knowledge that each person is unique and has the innate capacity to heal from anxiety, stress, and trauma. If you are finding it difficult to cope with life’s obstacles, struggling with relationships or just don’t feel like yourself, we understand and are here to help. We hope to speak with you soon.
