Safe & Sound Protocol – SSP

Safe & Sound Protocol – SSP

As a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (trauma and stress recovery/nervous system specialist) and Safe and Sound Practitioner, I offer a trauma informed lens that supports the safest delivery of the Safe and Sound protocol. This is especially important for people who are carrying trauma in their nervous system. I provide the SSP to a range of individuals: children, adolescents, and adults.   

.My understanding of the nervous system and the powerful potential of the SSP determines my method of being present with clients while they listen. I feel that this is the best way to keep clients safe and make sure that their nervous system and body are not overwhelmed by the process. We work together via secure Zoom Video Chat.

Read more about the Safe and Sound Protocol and the options I offer below.

What is the SSP?

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP), is an 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 uses the auditory system as a portal to the vagus complex, which controls our physiological state. Once physiological state is regulated, we can accelerate or enhance subsequent therapy.

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

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

Emotional and physiological state are critical to how we approach the task at hand. So when you have better state control, not only can you be more socially engaged, you are more open to therapy. Better state regulation improves therapeutic outcomes.

This non-invasive intervention involves listening to music that has been processed specifically to retune the nervous system to introduce a sense of safety and the ability to socially engage. This allows the client to better interpret not only human speech, but, importantly, the emotional meaning of language. Once interpersonal interactions improve, spontaneous social behaviors and an enhanced ability to learn, self-regulate and engage are often seen. Schedule a complimentary chat to discuss the SSP for you or a family member.

Options: Traditional SSP or Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP

 

Safe and Sound Protocol: 5-Day Intervention

The SSP was originally designed by Dr. Porges and his colleagues to be delivered over 5 consecutive days for one hour per day. However, each individual is unique and I adjust the delivery of the SSP to best suit each client.

The 5-day intervention works best with children and sometimes for adults, but if you or the child has experienced trauma or has other sensitivities, we will likely slow it down to a few minutes of listening per session, or weekly sessions, or some other format that best supports your nervous system. Typically for adults, a few minutes or up to one hour of the listening happens on a once weekly basis. We will discuss the best option for you or your child during the initial intake.

Generally, a child can listen for one hour per day for five days in a row while a safe and caring adult is present. During the listening, I offer guidance and support via Zoom. For adults, besides my presence and guidance, you don’t need to have another adult present, but I will ask you to have a safe partner or friend who is available to you or who you can reach out to in between listening sessions.

This intervention is not passive!

Shifts are happening within the autonomic nervous system and the vagal nerve complex while the client listens. Sometimes the shifts are subtle and other times, big changes occur. Not every change is comfortable at first. This is why having a nervous system specialist like myself as a support through the process is so important. I will give many details of the shifts that can occur during and as a result of the SSP.

A parent or safe caregiver must be present at all times while the child listens. It is recommended that the client and their caregiver engage in quiet activities such as coloring, modeling clay, drawing, puzzles, card games, etc. while listening. The client may also choose to simply sit quietly and listen to the music. I offer guidance and co-regulation support during the entire process. I am there to check in and offer support and settling for the client’s nervous system as needed. 

This intervention is a wonderful opportunity for uninterrupted co-regulation time between loved ones with the support of a skilled somatic practitioner (myself).

Some of the growth/shifts facilitated by the SSP are improved social engagement, more connection and eye contact, less fighting, less overwhelm, and more ease. It can help lesson anxiety and depression, create more capacity and resilience, and improve issues with auditory sensitivity.

My guidance and support during the SSP is done via Zoom video chat. Fees are based on my hourly rate of $125. (Payment plans and discounts are available) Typically, each session is one hour whether listening to all or a portion of the SSP (we may adjust length of session to shorter). We use the remaining time to process your experience with Somatic Experiencing. Payment plans and limited sliding scale options are available. I offer this service to my own clients and work with other therapists to offer the SSP to their clients. Schedule a complimentary chat to discuss the SSP for you or a family member.

 Image created during Mosaic Journey Experience by Beverly Belling

Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP

The Mosaic Journey is special a 7-part exploration using color, sound, art, movement, personal narrative, co-regulation, and soul-exploration to create transformation and nervous system regulation. Utilizing the Safe and Sound Protocol with trauma informed co-regulation and support, you’ll experience a powerful and often spiritual entry point for deeper therapeutic work. Includes deep research and intuitive analysis of the themes from your experience. 

The Mosaic Journey is inspired by the SEGAN method created by Ana doValle, OTR, SEP, Anthroposophical Counselor. Ana’s work enhances the effects of the SSP by following a sequence that connects body, mind, and soul. With this process, we are creating higher resilience to stress, more flexibility in the nervous system plus: embodiment, empowerment, coherence, and flow.

This unique and gentle exploration is available to individuals, couples, and families. For many of my clients, it has provided a profound transformational experience.

Clients experience deep insights into themselves and new appreciation for who they are. Growth/shifts can also include improved social engagement, more connection and eye contact with others, less fighting, less overwhelm, and more ease. It can help lesson anxiety and depression, create more capacity and resilience, and improve issues with auditory and overall sensitivity.

The Mosaic Journey is facilitated via Zoom. I will be present with you while you listen to the SSP and will facilitate the other portions of the Mosaic Journey plus offer Somatic Experiencing to support your journey.  6 hourly sessions are required, plus an additional session after I’ve completed my analysis of your sessions (which includes all the parts of the process) to discuss your experience and my findings.

The Fee for the Mosaic Journey is $995.00. Payment plans are available. Schedule a complimentary chat to discuss the Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP.

Client art created during Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP

 

 

Basic Logistical Details     

An account will be set up for you through an App that you’ll download for your device (phone or tablet) using Android 5 or above or iOS 13 or above. Once the app is downloaded and activated, you will also need to download the SSP Playlist.  

To listen to the playlist, you must wear circumaural (over ear) headphones. If you already own a pair of over ear headphones that have noise cancelling, you must be able to turn off the noise cancelling function while listening to the SSP. I can also rent you a pair of headphones if you do not wish to purchase them. 

There are 2 playlists to choose from: Child or Adult. These consist of popular music that is appropriate for all ages. 

Depending on the SSP option you choose: regular SSP or Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP, a list of items you’ll need will be emailed and you may need to gather additional items. Schedule a complimentary chat to discuss the SSP for you or a family member.