Safe & Sound Protocol
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a listening therapy based on Polyvagal Theory that teaches our nervous system to feel safe and calm through a bottom-up process of training the vagus nerve.
What is Safe & Sound Protocol?
The Safe & Sound Protocol is a five-hour auditory intervention designed to reduce stress while promoting calm and resilience through a more regulated nervous system. It’s a non-invasive intervention that can complement or accelerate other forms of therapy.
Clinical research shows that Safe & Sound Protocol is effective for a wide range of concerns and can be applied in the treatment of the following conditions:
anxiety and trauma
auditory sensitivities
social and emotional difficulties
inattention
Safe & Sound Protocol was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of the Polyvagal Theory and a distinguished scientist from the Kinsey Institute. This innovative approach involves listening to music that has been specially processed to help regulate the nervous system and promote a sense of calm and safety for the listener.
The theory behind Safe & Sound Protocol is that when people can regulate their physiological state to feel more stabilized and calm, it can open the door to improved social engagement and more successful therapy outcomes.
The Importance of Social Engagement for Therapy
The polyvagal theory explains that our physiological and emotional states determine how we operate in the world. People who have very sensitive nervous systems, like individuals suffering from trauma, anxiety, and hypersensitivity, can have a very difficult time feeling attuned and focused in social interactions.
This ability to feel safe with others is mediated by the vagus nerve which is part of the autonomic nervous system. Stephen Porges named this the Social Engagement System (SES) which refers to the part of the nervous system that picks up unconscious cues about whether a person or situation is safe or unsafe. The SES is always operating which is important for survival but can also be exhausting for people whose nervous systems are highly sensitive and hypervigilant to potential threats.
Safe & Sound Protocol trains the SES to feel safe and regulated through the auditory system which is a portal to the rest of the autonomic nervous system. When clients learn to feel safe, they are able to process human speech and the nuances of emotional communication. This improves their ability to regulate their emotions, manage their state of being and engage in interpersonal communication more effectively.
Safe & Sound Protocol is an evidence-based therapy that is effective in treating a wide range of mental health concerns. It helps reduce auditory sensitivity and stress while promoting calm and resilience through a more regulated nervous system. Safe & Sound Protocol is a safe and non-invasive intervention that can complement, enhance or even accelerate other forms of therapy.
“The theory behind Safe & Sound Protocol is that when people can regulate their physiological state to feel more stabilized and calm, it can open the door to improved social engagement and more successful therapy outcomes.”
Safe & Sound Protocol FAQs
Must Safe & Sound Protocol be done with a therapist or can I do it on my own?
Each person will respond to the Safe & Sound Protocol training differently so it is important to work collaboratively with a therapist. Some of the listening can be done at home on one’s own but this must be discussed between you and your therapist. People who have experienced trauma and unresolved grief may have powerful emotional experiences when accessing a relaxed state and will need the support of a therapist to help them decide the pacing of training and to process the meaning of these emotional experiences that can arise.
As providers of Safe & Sound Protocol we are certified in this modality and are committed to providing it to clients in the most clinically responsible way, using a somatic and trauma informed lens to therapy. We also collaborate with leading clinician supervisors from Integrated Listening Systems, the developers of SSP, and receive ongoing guidance and training to meet the specific client needs.
How does the Safe & Sound Protocol treatment work?
Safe & Sound Protocol is a total of five hours of specially processed music that must be listened to in sequence over a period of time. We suggest that people pace it out by doing 15-30 minutes a day.
We start with doing an assessment to learn about your symptoms and experience with other therapies. We do some listening together in an online session to introduce you to the method and see how your nervous system responds. This will help determine your response to the music and help you decide on a good protocol that you can follow. We will book some regular follow up sessions and stay in close contact with you as you go through the training.
You will be encouraged to practice lots of self care strategies during this time in order to support your nervous system during the SSP training.
Can Safe & Sound Protocol be done online?
Yes, Integrated Learning Systems has developed a digital platform that allows therapists to connect clients to an Safe & Sound Protocol app (Unyte-ILS). The program can now be delivered remotely with the support of a licensed provider. It is available for Apple and Android devices.
How do I learn more about Safe & Sound Protocol?
Please visit the Integrated Learning System website (https://integratedlistening.com/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/) for more information, research, and clinical applications of Safe & Sound Protocol.
How do I learn more about Polyvagal Theory?
Here are some excellent introductory videos about Polyvagal Theory:
Deb Dana describes the Polyvagal Theory - https://youtu.be/JXGy7M4kvaY
Stephen W. Porges explains the Polyvagal Theory - https://youtu.be/_ShPBwn9U8E
Stephen Porges explains the benefits of understanding the Polyvagal Theory - https://youtu.be/zbxk8pphvZA
Harness the mind-body connection to create new pathways in your life.
At New Pathways Therapy Center, we believe therapy is a collaborative process. We don’t just sit back and listen. We look forward to supporting you on your journey towards healing, balance and growth.