Safe and Sound Protocol

What is Safe and Sound Protocol?

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a five hour auditory intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, by calming the physiological and emotional state, the door is opened for improved communication and more successful therapy.

The SSP is a research-based therapy showing significant results in just five hours in the following areas:

• Social and emotional difficulties
• Auditory sensitivities
• Anxiety and trauma related challenges
• Inattention
• Stressors that impact social engagement

How does it work?

I will use SSP auditory system as a portal to the vagus complex, which controls your physiological state. Once physiological state is regulated, we can accelerate or enhance subsequent therapy.  It is designed to stimulate nervous system regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system with specifically processed music.

The music trains your auditory pathways by focusing on the frequency envelope of human speech. As you learn to process these speech-related frequencies, they improve the functioning of two cranial nerves that are important for promoting overall social behavior. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) helps you focus on human voice and tune out irrelevant frequencies. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus Nerve) enables self-soothing and autonomic regulation.

Following successful completion of the intervention, you will be better able to focus in work, school, therapy, and everyday life and experience a calmed emotional and physiological state.  This is based on studies that suggest that skills such as attention, state regulation and the ability to engage socially will be enhanced.