The Safe and Sound Protocol
Think clearly, feel deeply, and connect fully through nervous system regulation.
A powerful listening therapy with lasting impact.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a listening therapy based on Polyvagal Theory. The SSP interrupts states of automatic defenses, promoting nervous system regulation through cues of safety, leading to deeper connections with yourself, others, and the world around you.
What is the SSP?
The SSP is a trauma-informed, evidence-based listening therapy that delivers filtered music through over-ear headphones. This non-invasive process allows the brain and body to better process external signals, such as tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions, essential for interpreting social cues and forming meaningful connections. Additionally, the SSP enhances awareness, embodiment, and resilience, helping individuals become more present and open to healing, a crucial step in the therapeutic process.
How It Works
The SSP was designed to improve emotional regulation and social engagement by using specially filtered music to stimulate the vagus nerve and activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
This music is designed to specifically target and engage the middle ear muscles, which are involved in processing and filtering sound, allowing the nervous system to better regulate its response to stress and sensory input. By enhancing the body’s ability to process and interpret auditory and sensory information, SSP helps individuals move out of a state of fight-or-flight (sympathetic activation) or shutdown (dorsal vagal state) and into a more balanced, regulated state. This creates a foundation of safety and calm that can support healing from trauma, reduce anxiety, improve social connections, and enhance overall well-being.
Click here for more Information: What is the SSP?
Supporting Various Symptoms & Conditions
By supporting the nervous system, SSP can contribute to improvements across these areas, fostering a sense of safety and connection.
Trauma History / PTSD / Dissociation
Attachment and Relationship Difficulties
Depression
Anxiety Disorders
Sleep Disorders
Chronic Pain
Reactivity/Anger Issues
Attention/Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
Neurodevelopmental and Learning Differences
Sensory Processing Differences
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The Process of SSP
1. Initial Consultation
We'll start with a conversation to assess your needs, goals, and readiness for SSP. This helps determine if SSP is a good fit for you.
2. Personalized Plan
Together, we’ll create a plan tailored to your nervous system. This includes selecting the appropriate listening pathway and deciding on the pace that works best for you.
3. Preparation
Before beginning, you’ll learn simple somatic and emotion regulation techniques to support your nervous system during the process, ensuring a smooth experience.
4. Listening Sessions
You'll listen to specially designed music through over-ear headphones in a calm environment. Sessions may be self-guided at home or supported in therapy.
5. Ongoing Support
Throughout the process, we’ll check in regularly to monitor your progress, make any necessary adjustments, and provide support as needed.
6. Next Steps
Once you've completed SSP, we’ll explore how to maintain and build on the benefits, integrating newfound regulation skills into your daily life.
Benefits of a Calm Nervous System
Improved Stress Response
A regulated nervous system helps you navigate difficult situations with greater ease, allowing you to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. This balance makes it easier to recover and move forward instead of feeling “stuck.”
Enhanced Emotional Regulation and Resilience
With improved nervous system regulation, it becomes easier to understand and manage emotions, helping you navigate challenges with more flexibility and grace.
Stronger Social Connections
A calm nervous system activates the part of your brain that supports social engagement, making it easier to connect with others, communicate effectively, and build deeper, more fulfilling relationships.
Better Sleep, Digestion, and Focus
When your nervous system is calm, basic functions like sleeping, eating, and concentrating become smoother and more effective, supporting overall well-being.
More information…
SSP & EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing)
Alex is a certified provider of both SSP & EMDR. These therapies can complement each other effectively by targeting different aspects of the nervous system and emotional processing.
Nervous System Regulation: SSP helps calm the nervous system before and during EMDR, allowing clients to engage more deeply in trauma work without feeling overwhelmed.
Enhanced Emotional Regulation: SSP promotes emotional balance, helping clients stay within their window of tolerance while processing difficult memories in EMDR.
Reduced Dissociation: SSP supports grounding and presence, reducing the likelihood of dissociation during intense EMDR processing, leading to smoother trauma reprocessing.
Improved Safety and Engagement: By enhancing social engagement and creating a sense of safety, SSP strengthens trust in the therapeutic process, supporting more effective EMDR work.
-
The SSP is a research-based listening therapy designed to regulate the nervous system by using specifically filtered music. It helps improve emotional regulation, reduce stress, and enhance social engagement by stimulating the vagus nerve and calming the body’s fight-or-flight response.
-
The SSP works by delivering music filtered to target the middle ear muscles, which are connected to the vagus nerve. This process helps the nervous system shift from a state of defense to safety, making it easier to connect, communicate, and self-regulate.
-
The SSP can help with:
Reducing anxiety and stress
Improving focus and attention
Enhancing emotional regulation
Increasing social engagement and connection
Supporting trauma recovery and sensory integration
-
During a session, you’ll listen to specially filtered music through high-quality headphones in a quiet environment. Sessions can last anywhere from 1-2 minutes, up to 60 minutes, and can be adjusted to your comfort level. Alex provides support and guidance throughout the process to ensure it feels safe and effective.
-
The SSP is often recommended for individuals struggling with anxiety, trauma, ADHD, sensory sensitivities, or difficulty managing emotions. If you’re unsure, a consultation with Alex can help determine whether the SSP aligns with your therapeutic goals.
-
The duration depends on the client’s autonomic response and personal pace. There’s no rush to complete the SSP, and sessions can be as short as one minute. Flexibility ensures clients feel safe and supported. Foundational SSP Training includes guidance on developing effective listening plans.
-
During the SSP, clients may experience shifts in their autonomic state, including feelings of calmness, alertness, or even mild discomfort as their nervous system adjusts. After completing the SSP, many report improved emotional regulation, social engagement, and reduced stress responses. Regular check-ins with the provider ensure the client progresses safely and effectively.
-
Many clients only require 1 month to complete the SSP. However, some individuals benefit from spacing out the duration of listening, or repeating the program ongoingly over time.
First time access to one month of the SSP is $300, with subsequent monthly subscription rates of $100/month. -
The SSP program itself is not currently covered by insurance. However, if you are completing the SSP as part of therapy sessions, the time spent listening during these sessions is billable to insurance.
-
The SSP typically takes 2–6 weeks to complete, depending on the pace that feels right for you. Some clients may complete sessions more quickly, while others benefit from spacing them out.
-
You’ll need high-quality, over-ear headphones (not earbuds) and a device to access the SSP app. Specific recommendations can be provided to ensure the best listening experience.
-
After completing the SSP, many clients notice lasting changes in their emotional and physical regulation. Follow-up sessions with Alex can help integrate these changes and address new goals or challenges.
-
Yes, the SSP works well alongside other therapies, such as EMDR, somatic work, or talk therapy. It can enhance the effectiveness of these approaches by improving nervous system regulation.