Safe and Sound Protocol
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Safe and Sound Protocol

A listening therapy to increase felt safety, social connection, and emotional regulation.

Developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a research-based listening therapy used to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience.


SSP uses filtered popular music to exercise your inner ear muscles. I like to think of it as acupuncture for your midbrain but without needles. It increases neuroception of safety, social engagement,  emotional regulation, and attention. It decreases auditory sensitivities, anxiety, and trauma response. The whole idea behind SSP is to promote a sense of security and decrease activation.


This non-invasive application of the Polyvagal Theory helps you access a physiological state conducive to well-being, positive engagement with others, and growth in learning and therapy.  It's what I would call a passive intervention in that you don't have to think about anything in particular while listening. You can sit back, relax and close your eyes, or engage in a soothing activity.

3 SSP Listening Programs

SSP Connect

Is a 5 hour listening program of the songs that you will listen to in the core program. Connect is used to get you used to music that you will listen to. It in no way is designed to stimulate your nervous system. This is sometimes used if there is any anxiety with listening or with children. Children sometimes prefer music they are used to and can be beneficial to have it playing in the background before starting the Core Program


SSP Core

Music that is altered for specific frequencies and filtrations that stimulate the middle ear. The middle ear then sends direct signals of safety to the mid-brain (where memories and emotions are housed). It is a total of 5 hours and at most can be listened to one hour a day and as small as a few minutes. You will track your nervous system and somatic activation to determine what are good listening time increments.


SSP Balance

Is music designed to be listened to after you complete the core program. It does not stimulate your middle ear muscles. It is designed to keep your nervous system calm and has no listening restrictions. We find that people really enjoy listening to this during the post 8 weeks.


What to expect from Safe and Sound Protocol

The SSP is a research-based listening therapy utilizing filtered popular music to exercise the muscles in the inner ear to increase neuroception of safety, increase social engagement, decrease auditory sensitivities, increase emotional regulation, decrease anxiety, increase attention, and decrease trauma response of fight/flight/freeze.  You will have a year of access to the SSP program and we find that this allows clients to take full advantage of all 3 listening programs and a chance to do the program multiple times.

SSP can be done through at home sessions or integrated into your therapy sessions.


  1. You will meet for in initial consultation to determine if SSP is a good fit for you and answer any questions you may have about the process. You will also develop a general listening plan.
  2. Once you decide to move forward with starting SSP  you will complete an assessment of your nervous system to keep track of progress.
  3. You will receive an invite to download the My Unyte/ILS app and download your playlist. You will choose a playlist that suits your music preferences. Genres include popular music, classical, children's music, and ambient music. Offering both vocal and non-vocal options.
  4. You will schedule an initial listening session with your provider where you will learn how to track your nervous system, regulation tools, and increase neuroception to get the most out of your at-home listening sessions.
  5. You will make a plan to finish the remainder of the sessions at home or decide to continue listening sessions with a provider.
  6. You will have email check-ins with your provider for guidance on session timing, help you notice any changes, and provide general support for you to get the most out of the process. We recommend listening sessions to be as consistent as possible.
  7. After completing the 5 hours of the Core program you will be invited to listen to the Balance playlist for the following 8 weeks while the program continues work. SSP is known to continue to see effects for up to 8 weeks after finishing the core program.


The SSP consists of 3 listening programs: Connect, Core, and Balance. Each consists of five hours of music. These may be delivered in 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute or smaller segments, depending on the individual needs of the client. Listening segments may occur daily, depending on the individual needs.


SSP can be experienced in the office or at home via remote delivery through a smartphone app. For remote delivery, each family needs to have a smartphone and a set of over-the-ear headphones. Clients must be able to turn off any noise-canceling functions. Earbuds or in-ear headphones cannot be used for SSP.


It is recommended not to look at any screens or do any activity that is stressful or would increase your heart rate.


Clients sometimes generally report the following experiences:

More calm, fatigue, and changes in sleep. This may include changes in mood, irritation, increased sensitivity to the environment, changes in taste and hearing senses, movement in somatic symptoms, decrease in chronic pain and tension, and a decrease in typical reactions to those around them.

For most clients, completing the program means listening to all five hours of a selected program; however, many clients repeat SSP programs several times a year or use the SSP Balance pathway for on-going and exponential benefits.

Is Safe and Sound Protocol for me?

SSP is not a good fit for everyone and we suggest a consultation with your coach to assess if it's a good fit.

SSP promotes a neural platform for health, and growth, sends signals "safety cue" signals, and restoration. Areas of Improvement Potentially Arising 2-8 weeks after completion of SSP Core
Increased self-confidence and self-preservation instincts.

Greater displays of seeking and expressing affection

Enhanced facial movement and expressiveness

Increased bodily flexibility

Alleviation of chronic pain

Changes in throat tension and voice pitch

Better eye contact

Reduction in repetitive movements and restlessness

Heightened sense of calm

Auditory improvements and fewer sensory hypersensitivities

Smoother transitions

Enhanced speech and language abilities

Reduced food sensitivities and less finicky eating

Better reciprocal communication

More purposeful thoughts and actions

Improved comprehension skills

Greater ease in following directions

Faster processing speed

Enhanced organization

Improved manual dexterity

More active classroom participation and better resilience against challenges

Better visual focus and tracking

Greater ability to express feelings in words

Enhanced ability to stay regulated during face-to-face interactions

Heightened self-awareness, especially of emotions

Better communication regarding personal emotions

Decreased panic attacks, fears, and phobias

Improved heart function

Improved breathing patterns

Greater tolerance for busy environments

Enhanced sense of humor

Better ability to interpret social cues

Reduced stress levels

Improved digestion

Better bladder control

Hormonal adjustments for women

Decreased concerns related to long COVID symptoms

What does Safe and Sound Cost?

The fees for the Safe & Sound Protocol are based on the program design that is most appropriate for each client. This plan will be discussed during your SSP intake. The most basic fees will include $350 for yearly remote access to SSP and a one-hour session with your chosen coach.  The time required for the SSP program can range from 5 days to several months. 


Packages are for home listening with a support person. It is required to do one initial listening session with a provider per person.


If you are a current client you can gain a year access to SSP for $350 and integrate it into your treatment.


In some situations it may be required that a parent begins their own SSP before their child's SSP process begins.

Safe and Sound Package Cost

Individual SSP - $450 - 12 month access.

  • $300 is the Base Price for SSP access for a full year. That's just under $30/month.


  • New SSP clients are required to attend one online or in-person session at the start of the SSP process. The price for the hour intake/listening appointment is $150.

Included in cost:


  • Email check-ins, Monday - Friday


  • Access to the SSP app for up to 12 months


  • If you would like access after the full year it will be another additional $300 and an assessment of your current nervous system and goals.


  • You may need additional listening sessions with your coach. Those can range from 30 to 60 minutes.


  • Additional sessions can be used for check-ins, provider-supported listening, or additional relevant services and modalities.


Parent and Child SSP

  • We see the best SSP results in children when a parent does SSP first, or together with their child.

Included in cost:


  • Required: One online session for each family member


  • Email check-ins, Monday - Friday


  • Access to the SSP app for 12 months


  • Additional yearly access is $300/year.


  •  Additional sessions can be used for check-ins, provider-supported listening, or additional relevant services and modalities.

Parent & Two Other Family Members SSP


  • Help each person and the family as a whole by stimulating and regulating nervous systems together! 

Included in cost:

  • Required: One online session per family member.


  • Email check-ins, Monday - Friday


  • Access to the SSP app for 12 months


  • Additional family members' SSP listening accounts are $250 each.


 Additional sessions can be used for check-ins, provider-supported listening, or additional relevant services and modalities.


Meet

Our Safe and Sound Protocol Coaches

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