THE SAFE AND SOUND PROTOCOL (SSP)
This innovative listening intervention - scientifically shown to significantly increase vagal regulation - is the brainchild of Dr Stephen Porges; known world-wide for his Polyvagal Theory.
Five hours of specially filtered music is gradually administered (using over-ear headphones) in session, or on-line, as a way to help the Autonomic Nervous System regulate. It turns out that, just like the brain (which moulds and shapes itself to reflect our ever-changing experiences), the ANS is plastic too! The Safe & Sound Protocol directly targets the neural pathways associated with behavioural state and social engagement.
A balanced system is calmer, more social and generally better at tolerating life’s ups and downs.
Grounded in a safer system, we forge healthier relationships (with family, partners, colleagues and peers), think more clearly, learn more easily and have better control over our emotions.
As SSP seeks to improve state regulation (and therefore therapeutic outcomes), it’s an ideal accompaniment for other cognitive/and or somatic therapies; especially where a client has not previously had success or feels ‘stuck’.
Visit https://www.whatisthessp.com/ to find out more now!
WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM SSP?
“The purpose of the Safe & Sound Protocol is to initiate and access a physiological state conducive to well-being, positive engagement with others, and progress in learning and therapy”.
Therapeutic Considerations Include:
Anxiety
Inattention and poor Focus
Auditory and/or other Sensory Sensitivities
Behavioural Regulation and Emotional Resilience
Coordination and Balance
Chronic Pain and Fatigue
Depression
Difficulty sleeping
Fibromyalgia
Gut issues
Reading and Auditory Processing
Speech and Language
Social Engagement
Trauma & PTSD
Pricing and Protocol Costs:
► The ‘SSP-Home’ Combi-Package (for new clients, delivered virtually) - £259 (saving £30)
This package includes 120m worth of therapist-lead listening+coaching time (as relates to the SSP itself) as well as your own personalised 28-day SSP Account (via tech-provider Unyte-iLs)
What’s exactly is included in the SSP Home Package?
Access to a password-protected, therapist-assigned, 28-day SSP Account. This may include Connect, Core and/or Balance playlists. The Unyte app is android/iOs compatible.
An in-depth intake session* (60-90m) which will include: a personal history review; an introduction to the Polyvagal Theory (creating a shared platform of language & understanding between client and therapist); a detailed presenting symptom/problem/state *assessment; and your **proposed treatment and titration plan.
Additional therapist-facing time (to use as needed, based on your inclusive minutes); where you’ll benefit from exploring safe and informed co-regulation or self-regulation strategies; including breath-work, somatic (body-based) interventions and/or meditative practices.
An in-depth user information pack - crammed full of reminders, tips and advice.
Fully-inclusive text and/or email support and titration advice - throughout the protocol.
A wrap-up call to debrief the experience, review outcomes and decide any potential next steps.
A 8-12 week check-in to evaluate any additional/cumulative changes you may have noticed. Many find that it takes a period of time for the nervous system to fully adjust/settle.
*Although you may have take advantage of a free Discovery Call (of up to 20m), please note that this doesn’t always provide me all of the information I’d need in order to guarantee that it is safe to proceed with the SSP. There is a small chance that, during an official initial consultation, I pick up on something that renders the protocol unsuitable, at that time.
**Treatment will be paced and adjusted as you progress - based on your nervous systems response to the intervention.
“The SSP is a physiological, bottom-up protocol that affects the nervous system. While the music is a potent factor, therapist facilitation and education throughout the process of listening plays a major role in its outcomes.” Integrated Listening/iLs
► Complex cases may require supplementary therapist-lead work. This is charged in time increments of £45 per 30m. Those needing to go more slowly can purchase supplementary tech-pack extensions at £39 per month, to completion.
► Existing Clients may be offered a bespoke ‘pay as you go’ SSP plan, based on their therapy objectives: with the 28-day tech-rental (via Untye) charged separately at £109, and tech-pack extensions invoiced out at £39 per month.
► Discounts are available on protocol repeats and I offer family package deals.
How much time do I need to set aside to do the program?
The virtual SSP Home program (5 Hour SSP Core - with its potent filtration algorithm) would typically be titrated at 5 - 30 minutes per day; depending on the severity of your symptoms and the complexity of your case.
SSP is not a one-size fits-all approach. It is imperative that it’s delivery is adjusted to suit your ANS. Please factor this into your budget as I strongly advise against ‘pushing through’. Support and patience are key for a safe and successful outcome. In some cases, you might need to take the odd 24-48 hour break, or even an extended time-out.
Clients who require the gentlest (micro-dosed) approach may be invited to first explore the 5 hour SSP Connect program. This preparatory (full-spectrum) playlist has been curated to enhance calming and to prime the nervous system for better listening tolerance and protocol familiarity. Less, if any, therapist downtime is required for this element.
Clients enjoying SSP Core success may benefit from a follow-up SSP Balance program (light-filtration) - to complement their progress. This may also require less therapist-facing intervention, and time, than the SSP Core.
SSP Core repeats are available 9-12 weeks post completion. Repeating the protocol not only helps to bolster prior success, but also often triggers sequential shifts. These repeats, again, would likely require far less therapist intervention.
Important Information and Treatment Requirements:
In addition to your provider, we also advise that you’re in/have access to personal therapy; preferably with a therapist who knows your history (and nervous system). It’s also suggested that you assign a safe/regulated person (friend/partner etc) to act as a co-regulator - should dysregulation arise. Pets can be great co-regulators too!
Ensure that you are able to set aside the time required to complete the program; intentionally plan your listening - rather than squeezing it in around existing plans! YOUR commitment and participation is key to your success.
You will need to be in a quiet, comfortable and safe environment to effectively engage with the treatment.
Permissive calming activities (that don’t interfere with your active-listening) include: drawing/crafting, making a puzzle, bouncing on a yoga ball, sensory equipment exploration, pottering around the home etc.
Avoid singing, whistling and humming during your session as this might interfere with the vagal pathways in use.
Don’t listen in noisy environments, on the train/tube/bus or whilst running the washing machine or dishwasher. These sorts of vibrations and external sounds interfere with the quality of this carefully filtered programme.
NEVER begin listening for the first time until your provider gives the go-ahead. Just ‘testing it out’ in the absence of a certified professional can result in unexpected dysregulation in some extremely sensitive systems.
DO NOT be tempted to listen for longer than, or go faster than your provider suggests. Listening should be professionally titrated in an attempt to - as far as is possible - avoid unnecessary overwhelm or dysregulation.
Ensure that you are all set-up for your virtual consultation; to avoid waisting any of your inclusive therapist-facing minutes. This includes checking your wifi, laptop, headphones (paired and connected), charger etc.
What considerations would likely impact the cost and delivery time of the SSP intervention?
Age: In general, children tend to require less facilitation time with a therapist because the parent/caregiver can support the delivery. Where this is the case, it is unlikely that they will incur much in the way of additional costs.
The intervention can be administered on a hybrid basis; with some sessions facilitated by the clinician and some done independently by the client (or overseen by a parent or caregiver) at home.
Clients who require less therapist down-time may include: existing clients; ‘Polyvagal informed’ persons or those with a pre-existing repertoire of self-regulating resources to tap into.
The severity of ones psychological/physiological history, and the degree to which one experiences the effects of that on a day-to-day basis, will likely impact the required facilitation time. The more complex the case, the more time may be required to work through the programme. This is based on clinical trials, a ‘less is more’ approach and a ‘first do no harm’ ethos. Please factor this into your finances as to avoid trying to ‘push through’.
Supplementary listening pathways (in addition to the original SSP Core) may be offered in order to further support and integrate the changes. This may increase the length of your overall SSP experience and may require you to book occasional check-ins to assure the listening prescriptions are suitable and proving helpful.
Over-ear headphones (strictly not ear buds or noise cancelling types) are required. If you do not have access to a pair, you should factor this purchase into your treatment budget.
Very sensitive systems may respond better to especially short listening increments. These might be delivered periodically - during their regular therapy sessions. Even segments as short as 1-2 minutes, weekly - can be very effective; if that is all one’s system can tolerate. Here the cost of the SSP intervention may be absorbed into your regular therapy session fee - bar the tech-access costs.
It is advised that you pause, or minimise, other potentially conflicting therapies and practices for the duration of the protocol. Please let your provider know if you are undergoing a course of EMDR, Osteopathy, attend regular sound baths, are micro-dosing, planning an EFT retreat etc. We don’t want to overwhelm or overstimulate the system.
NOTE: When working with an acoustic vagal stimulator, such as the SSP, I can not know - in advance- how your autonomic nervous system will respond.
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