Introduction

The Somatic SSP Circle is a small group, 6-week journey that includes somatic learning and a therapeutic sound experience. It is a healing experience for all of your senses that supports positive shifts in the nervous system. Individuals who participate will experience increased embodiment and will leave with tools to support their continuing healing journey.

The 2 main anchors of this program along with the somatic learning and support individuals will receive from me (read detailed info further down the page):

  • The Somatic SSP Course delivered in an online classroom format and with additional teaching and guidance by Katie McClain, SEP.
  • The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a therapeutic auditory intervention utilizing specially treated music (either Classical or Ambient Fusion). Participants will listen to SSP Core only while in our group sessions with Katie’s presence and support.

Attunement from a skilled, trauma-informed practitioner is essential when receiving the Safe and Sound Protocol and any somatic healing process. I’ll be using my Somatic Experiencing, TIST-Parts Works, and Somatic Touch practitioner skills to support each participant with processing and integrating memories and sensations that arise during the program and the listening sessions.

Co-regulation and attunement from your group-mates enhances the process, plus the learning and experience gained from doing healing work within a group is unmatched. The Safe and Sound Protocol and the somatic exercises and tools you’ll learn and practice will support you in moving through stuck patterns, anxiety, worry, depression and more.

In our first meeting we’ll get acquainted, set intentions, and learn somatic and polyvagal skills. We’ll delve into somatic practice and understanding of the tools we’ll use throughout the group sessions. Remaining sessions will included SSP listening and somatic skills development.

In this sound and somatic exploration you’ll have the opportunity to create positive shifts and increase nervous system regulation. Utilizing the Somatic Skills and the Safe and Sound Protocol along with trauma informed co-regulation and support from myself and your group-mates, healing and transformation is possible. 

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Program Details and Who Will Benefit

The Somatic SSP Circle is uniquely supportive and transformative.

The Safe and Sound Protocol amplifies the healing process and reveals patterns that are keeping us stuck. It helps connect us deeply to our essential Self so that we can bring gentle support for early misattunement from caregivers and to the aspects of ourselves that have been left behind, forgotten, and remain hyper vigilant or frozen. Hidden patterns, sense memories, and painful experiences are revealed and processed during the guided SSP process. With the SSP and the other somatic skills I provide, my clients have processed and integrated painful early imprints and traumas.

During each SSP round, some clients may experience very subtle changes. Others will encounter a particular experience or ‘theme’ that is ready to be worked with. Typically, I’ll notice the theme and the client then chooses whether to do the work of processing it – with my support and guidance. (it is always the client’s choice as to what is attended to) For example, a client may have had a surgery or have sustained some type of injury (minor or traumatic) or there may be a particular and problematic attachment pattern that developed in their childhood. As the client progresses through each hour of the protocol, different aspects of the pattern will arise and the opportunity is there to meet it and work with it so it can be integrated fully. Integration is where healing happens.

Who can be supported by the SSP?

  • Those with ancestral, in utero, baby, toddler, school age, teenage, or any other time of life experiences covering a wide range that can include difficult or traumatic birth, stressful or traumatic family life, injuries, surgeries and the symptoms and unwanted patterns that develop as a result of stressful events. An important note is that while two people can share the same or a similar life experience; one person may be harmed by it while the other is not. What matters is what happened to You and how you were affected by it.

Before the Group Classes begin, you’ll receive access to the Somatic SSP Course

The self-paced program will be ready approximately 2 weeks prior to class beginning. In it you’ll learn somatic concepts such as:

  • How to regulate and stay present in the face of life’s challenges.
  • Connecting with your authentic self and how to support the parts of you left behind.
  • Cultivating attunement with others. Healing in community.
  • The science of safety: SSP and Polyvagal Theory developed by Dr Stephen Porges.
  • Important Keys: the Autonomic Nervous System and it’s role in your life and experiences.
  • Somatic tools and practices that support shifting from stuck-ness to embodied agency.
  • Good, bad, and neutral – Working with it all.

The Group Classes

Within this small group, you”l listen to the SSP Classical Flow or Freely (ambient fusion) playlist with your own headphones and smart device while we are all together in a private Zoom meeting. Each listening session will begin with a guided practice to support your connection to the present moment. The timing of all will be guided and supported by me and will ensure that you are not taken beyond your capacity at any point. The SSP music is designed to bring a sense of safety and comfort and can also reveal past experiences that are ready to be healed. With your consent, I’ll gently support you in processing these memories, emotions, and sensations using SE, TIST-Parts Work, and Intentional Touch. Throughout the class experience, there are many opportunities to deepen your somatic connection to yourself.

Benefits:

The combination of somatic learning and the SSP is powerful. Clients will have a wide range of experiences, however typical results with the Safe and Sound Protocol are listed below. Please remember when reading this list that your results may vary:

  • New or increased sense of feeling grounded, present, and/or embodied
  • Increased desire and comfort with social connection
  • Connection with the: observer self / wise mind / adult self / current age self / higher self… which results in the ability to really notice, ‘unblend’, and be compassionate with wounded parts inside of you
  • Painful experiences/memories/parts of self arise from recent or distant past to be understood and gently processed
  • Reduced symptoms of anxiety, worry, depression
  • Improvement in sensory issues
  • Improvements in sleep, body awareness, emotions and sensations.

This Program is For You if

  • You are interested and willing to be vulnerable and supportive in a community healing environment
  • You are committed and active in creating change in your health and well-being
  • You are eager to develop and deepen your somatic skills and may already have some experience
  • You’re actively working to increase your capacity and resilience
  • You’d like to learn tracking of sensations and/or to work with patterns of activation/dysregulation
  • You have at least one safe-enough human or animal as emotional support in your life
  • You live in a safe-enough (non-dangerous) environment
  • You have participated in group classes or other group experiences in the past
  • You’re not actively struggling with an addiction(s), DID, Bipolar, BPD or other serious mental health issues

What’s Included:

  • Access to the 3 pathways of the Safe and Sound Protocol music before, during, and for 1 month after the program ends. Music will be released to you on a specific schedule.
  • Access to a special online companion Somatic SSP course with detailed information and exercises to support you throughout your experience.
  • Co-regulation from myself and your group-mates. Somatic Experiencing, TIST-Parts Work, and Intentional Touch support from me as needed.

Optional:

  • Individual one-on-one session(s): Extra support during or after completing the Somatic SSP Circle. $180.00 per session with me. Timing for one-on-one sessions depends on my availability and yours.

What is the SSP?

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP), is an auditory intervention consisting of specially treated classical or popular music which is designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience.

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: Connect, Core, and Balance. These pathways are delivered in a thoughtful way to provide the best outcomes for the client.

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

  • Client’s ability to stay in the present moment
  • Anxiety, worry, depression
  • Trauma related challenges
  • Stressors and emotional difficulties
  • Social anxiety / Connection with others

Click this link to learn more about the Safe and Sound Protocol. (link will open in a new tab)

Group Size, Timing, Fees, Refund Policy

Group Size, Time Commitment, Fees:

  • Number of participants in each group: 4 participants, with myself leading. Class will not proceed unless it fills.
  • Time Commitment: 6 sessions. All sessions are 90 minutes equaling a 9 hour commitment over 6 weeks (see dates below). For 4 weeks post group experience, you will have access to the Balance playlist which enhances and deepens the processes.
  • Cost Per Participant: $540.00 for the 9 hour program includes access to a special introductory course about somatic healing. Limited discounted spots available for BIPOC individuals, reach out for more info.
  • $250.00 deposit required to hold your spot. Balance of $290.00 is due 10 days prior to program start date.

Refund Policy:

  • Please make sure you can attend all dates of the program. Missed session(s) cannot be rescheduled or refunded.
  • Refund of full tuition paid minus $75 if cancellation is made 4 weeks prior to start of course.
  • 50% refund of tuition paid minus $75 if cancellation is made 2 weeks prior to start of course.
  • No refund if cancellation is made within 7 days of start of course.

Available Dates

Space is limited. The times shown are in Pacific Time zone (Los Angeles). Please check your local times with TimeandDate to make sure these sessions will work for your schedule. Please also take into consideration standard and daylight savings times.

**Classes Proceed Only if all Spots are Filled**

2024 Schedule

If you would like to be notified of future class dates, please complete the application and include your day/time preferences for the program in your application.

Late Spring 2024: Wednesdays – Last day to apply is May 1st

  • May 15, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • May 22, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • May 29, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • June 5, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • June 12, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • June 19, 2024 2:00-3:30pm

Summer 2024: Wednesdays – Last day to apply is June 30th

  • July 10, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • July 17, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • July 24, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • July 31, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • August 7, 2024 2:00-3:30pm
  • August 14, 2024 2:00-3:30pm

Application Process:

Please complete the application below. Once your application is received, I’ll reach out and schedule a complimentary 30 minute conversation/informational meeting. In this meeting we’ll discuss your needs and how the program will work in order to discern if this program is a good fit.

Apply to Schedule Your Enrollment Conversation with Katie

Somatic SSP Circle

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The SSP is a potent intervention. While listening, it is not uncommon to have past experiences, memories, sensations, patterns and thoughts that are sometimes uncomfortable arise. I will partner with you to assist in working with and processing this content. That being said, my commitment is toward gathering a group of individuals who are experienced and ready to receive the SSP with others. Not everyone is a good fit to receive SSP in a group setting. Please check all of the items below that apply to you.
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Clients Share Their Experience

Extraordinary

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

Truly grateful

I’m truly grateful that I had the opportunity to be mentored by you while experiencing the SSP. I enjoyed getting to know you. I’m so grateful for the shifts I experienced with SSP mostly because it expanded my emotional apparatus and ability to truly feel. Also, having gone through the process better prepares me to walk my clients through it. 

Katie, your calming presence and your capacity to hold space is indicative of your extensive experience, skill, and soulfulness. I will always cherish the personal and professional growth I gained while working with you. 
Suri Roth, TRLC