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SSP MUSIC THERAPY

Nervous System Support with the Safe and Sound Protocol

Whether you’re already in therapy or seeking a targeted nervous system intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) offers a research-based, non-invasive way to help adults, teens, children, and families feel safer in their bodies and more connected in their lives.

I offer SSP both as part of ongoing therapy and as a stand‑alone service. Read on to learn what it is, how it works, who it can support, and why working with me makes a difference.

What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol?

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and rooted in his Polyvagal Theory, SSP is a 5‑hour auditory intervention that uses specially filtered music to send gentle cues of safety to your nervous system—helping shift you out of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn and into a more regulated state of calm and connection.

This filtered music targets the frequencies of a calm human voice, engaging your middle ear muscles and stimulating the vagus nerve. As your nervous system begins to feel safer, you may experience increased regulation, connection, and resilience.

Who Can Benefit from SSP?

  • Depression can cause the nervous system to move into a shutdown state, limiting connection and energy. SSP activates the part of your nervous system responsible for safety and social engagement, helping you reconnect with yourself and others.

  • Learning relies on sensory processing and attention regulation. SSP improves auditory pathways and nervous system filtering, supporting better focus, processing, and comprehension.

  • Chronic stress keeps your nervous system in overdrive. SSP encourages activation of the calming parasympathetic system through the vagus nerve, helping you shift out of survival mode into balance and restoration.

  • If you’re easily flooded by sensory or emotional input, SSP can help strengthen your nervous system’s ability to stay present and regulated in everyday life.

  • Supporting others can tax your nervous system. SSP can help regulate your nervous system, promoting calm and presence so you can better care for yourself and those around you.

  • When trauma triggers fight, flight, or freeze responses, your nervous system stays on high alert. SSP helps shift your system toward safety and calm, supporting trauma recovery.

  • Anxiety often happens when your nervous system is stuck in a constant “fight or flight” mode, making it hard to relax. SSP helps activate the calming part of your nervous system, encouraging your body to slow down, feel safer, and ease anxious feelings.

  • By improving vagal tone, SSP can help your body better regulate emotions and respond to stress with more ease. This means you may tolerate uncertainty more comfortably, experience steadier moods, and feel more grounded even when life feels overwhelming.

  • Many attention challenges stem from difficulty maintaining an “alert but calm” nervous system state. SSP may help regulate arousal levels and support improved concentration, impulse control, and flexible thinking.

  • When your nervous system is overly reactive, everyday sounds and sensations can feel overwhelming. SSP retrains the middle ear muscles and brainstem pathways, helping your nervous system filter sensory input more effectively and reduce overwhelm.

How the Safe and Sound Protocol Works

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and rooted in his Polyvagal Theory, SSP is a 5‑hour auditory intervention that uses specially filtered music to send gentle cues of safety to your nervous system—helping shift you out of fight, flight, freeze, or fawn and into a more regulated state of calm and connection.

This filtered music targets the frequencies of a calm human voice, engaging your middle ear muscles and stimulating the vagus nerve. As your nervous system begins to feel safer, you may experience increased regulation, connection, and resilience.

When Will I see a change?

Your nervous system may take 2-3 months after completion of the SSP to integrate changes and realize the full benefit of the program.

During your listening experience, shifts occur within the autonomic nervous system and the vagal nerve complex. The shifts may be subtle, other times big. Supporting the listener is essential as they refamiliarize themselves with new patterns of safety.

Your fight / flight/ freeze/ fawn response will be less engaged as feelings of safety increase.

Shifts you may notice:

  • Stronger emotional resilience and recovery

  • Calmer body responses and reduced tension

  • Easier connection and social comfort

  • A greater ability to stay present and engaged

  • Increased ability to listen and comprehend

  • Improvements in auditory and sensory sensitivities

  • Enhanced self-regulation

  • Increased executive functions

  • Improved focus, productivity, and cognitive ease

  • Better sleep and digestion

  • Reduction in pain levels

  • Less sensory overwhelm or reactivity

  • Lower anxiety

  • Improved expressive and receptive language skills

Frequently asked questions about The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

  • The full SSP program is $600, which includes an initial virtual intake session and access to the SSP app for up to one year.

    THERE IS NO COST FOR ACTIVE THERAPY CLIENTS.

  • The filtered music totals 5 hours, but is spread out based on your nervous system. Integration continues for 2–3 months after finishing.

  • Yes. SSP often helps other treatments work better by priming your nervous system to receive them more fully. It’s an effective complement to EMDR, IFS, coaching, physical therapy, speech therapy, and more.

  • We begin with a virtual intake. From there, you’ll listen at home with my guidance, adjusting pacing as needed. Reach out here

  • Purchase SSP-approved headphones.

    Over-the-ear (circumaural) headphones are used to allow for an immersive sound experience.

    Recommended Headphones

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    https://amzn.to/2ZYKDwK

    https://amzn.to/322pF2C

    These headphones are not recommended.

    Bluetooth headphones

    On-ear headphones and earbuds

    Headphones with bass-boosting feature (unless switched off)

    Noise-canceling headphones (unless noise-canceling can be switched off) Noise-canceling headphones emit a low-frequency sound that disrupts the mid-frequency sound of background noise.  These same mid-frequency sounds are critical to the efficacy of SSP delivery. In addition, noise-canceling headphones create an isolating experience that could feel unsafe for some listeners.

  • When listening to the SSP music, both the listener and co-regulator must be in a ventral vagal state.

    Listed below, you will find suggested regulating activities.

    • Yoga

    • Dance

    • Music

    • Nature

    • Meditation

    • Breathing exercises

    • Grounding/earthing

  • Choose calming, low-effort activities such as coloring, gentle movement, Lego, puzzles, modeling clay, drawing, or simply resting.

    Avoid electronics, talking, reading, using a phone or computer, or performing complex tasks.

  • That’s valuable feedback. We can slow things down, pause, or adjust based on what your system needs to stay safe.

  • All SSP sessions and support are fully virtual so that you can complete it from the comfort of your home.

  • This varies per person. Sessions may be spaced a few days apart or longer, depending on how your system responds.

  • Some people feel small shifts during listening. Most changes continue to integrate slowly over the following weeks or months.

  • Yes, it’s gentle and ideal for kids and teens who need support with regulation and connection.

  • With supportive pacing, SSP is well tolerated.

  • No. For safety and effectiveness, SSP should be guided by a trained provider who can adjust pacing and support integration.

WORK WITH ME

Not all SSP providers offer the same level of care. SSP is powerful, but when rushed, it can overwhelm the system. I specialize in working with trauma, sensitivity, and complex presentations. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all method—I carefully adjust the pace of the music based on how your system is responding.

Clients often tell me they experience the SSP in a way that feels safe, personalized, and effective.

You Deserve to Feel Safe in Your Body

If your nervous system has been stuck in survival mode, SSP can help you shift into a place of calm, clarity, and connection