Safe and Sound Protocol SSP

Safe & Sound Protocol – SSP

As a certified Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (specializing in the nervous system and supporting clients in building resilience and recovery from stress and/or trauma), I offer a trauma informed lens to provide the safest delivery of the Safe and Sound protocol. This is especially important for people who are carrying trauma in their nervous system or have accumulated stress. I provide the SSP to a range of individuals: children, adolescents, and adults. 

For first time SSP clients, my method is to be present with clients while they listen to the SSP Core and/or SSP Balance. I utilize somatic tools to support the client while going through the process. 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 or in person in Los Angeles.

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. There are 3 Pathways as part of the SSP. Learn more about the pathways here.

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. 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 but potent 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 30 minute Discovery Consult to discuss the SSP for you or a family member.

 

2 Options: Traditional Guided SSP or the Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP

 

Safe and Sound Protocol: 5-Part Intervention with Somatic S

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 individual client. Some clients listen weekly and others follow a unique timetable.

Depending on your life experiences and/or sensitivities or if you have experienced trauma, I will suggest a few minutes, 30 minutes or one hour of listening per session. Sessions will be scheduled weekly or other timing that best supports your nervous system. Generally for adults, a few minutes or up to 30-minutes of the listening happens on a once weekly basis. We will discuss the best option for you or your child during the Discovery Consultation.

During the listening, I offer guidance and support via Zoom or in person if you are fully vaccinated for Covid 19 and boosted. For adults, I will ask you to have a safe partner or friend who is available to you or who you can reach out to between listening sessions.

This intervention is not passive!

Shifts are happening within the autonomic nervous system and the vagal nerve complex. Sometimes 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 very 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 (adult or child) and the child’s caregiver engage in quiet activities such as coloring, modeling clay, drawing, puzzles, card games, etc. while listening. Adult clients may choose to simply sit quietly and listen to the music but some type of quiet activity with the hands supports the process. I offer guidance and co-regulation support during the entire listening process for SSP Core.

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

Possible 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 (or in person). Fees are based on my hourly rate of $130. (Payment plans are available) Typically, each session is one hour whether listening to all or a portion of the SSP (depending on the age of the client, we may adjust length of session). We use the remaining time to process with Somatic Experiencing, Parts Work (TIST) and sometimes Co-Regulating Touch. Payment plans and limited sliding scale options are available. I offer SSP to families, my own clients, and work with other therapists to offer the SSP to their clients. If you are a new SSP Practitioner, I offer consults in combination with your own first time SSP process. 

Schedule a Consult to discuss the SSP for you, a family member, yourself or your clients.

 Image created during Mosaic Journey Experience by Beverly B.

Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP with Somatic Experiencing

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 revealed during 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. This method can deliver 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 or in person with me. 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 etc, to support your journey.  6 hour-long sessions are required, plus an additional session after I’ve completed my analysis (which includes all the parts of the process) to discuss your experience and my findings.

The Fee for the Mosaic Journey is $1,100.00. Payment plans are available. Schedule a Consult to discuss the Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP.

Client art created during Mosaic Journey Experience + SSP

 

 

Basic Logistical Details     

After your deposit and onboarding fee are completed, an email will be sent via my Unyte-iLs portal. You will then be guided to set up your own account and download the Unyte-iLs app. The app works on smart phone or tablet devices 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 Playlists which will be released to you gradually. 

To listen to the playlists, 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 recommend headphones for you to purchase. 

There are three SSP Pathways that you will have access to while completing the SSP with my guidance. These consist of popular music that is appropriate for all ages. To learn more about the SSP Pathways, click here.

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 Consult to discuss the SSP for you or a family member.

My experience working with Katie through SSP with Mosaic Journey Experience (plus Somatic Experiencing and Parts Work) was really quite extraordinary. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. But I was determined to heal a deep wound. What I discovered was a kind, compassionate, and gentle creative process with Katie by my side. She answered all my questions throughout my journey and always made sure I was comfortable with each step we took together. I believe I have had the best outcome possible with all the intentions I set being fulfilled and then some. This journey was so much more than I expected and I couldn’t be happier. I continue to feel myself release old trauma as the weeks pass without any extraneous thoughts interfering in the process. Katie is really great at what she does and I would return to her if anything comes up in my future.

Monica - Houston

Your words and advice gave me the confidence to get started delivering the Safe and Sound Protocol to my patients.and I am sure my patients would thank you.

Carmen - LMFT