What is The Safe
and Sound Protocol?

Sometimes traditional Talk Therapy or Play Therapy doesn’t feel safe or accessible to everyone, especially kids, who don’t always have the words to express what they are feeling or experiencing. When this occcurs, nervous system interventions are a great place to start. The nervous system is what drives our reactions and behavior when under stress-let's face it, we are in a stressful world right now! Prolonged stress makes it harder to think clearly, and control our emotions and behavior. It also makes it harder for us to reach out for help, even when we need it most. Luckily, there are ways, such as using the Safe and Sound Protocol, to take care of your nervous system and make the help you need feel more accessible. The Safe and Sound Protocol is a great place to start if you or your child is struggling with ADHD, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Trauma-related difficulties, and/or Auditory Sensitivities.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through filtered music. As a practical application of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to re-tune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration and resilience. The SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider, in-person or remotely. The SSP works with both children and adults and has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.

The SSP was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges who has spent his career helping others understand Polyvagal Theory (the foundation of The SSP). Polyvagal Theory focuses on what is happening in the body and the nervous system, and explains how our sense of safety and danger can impact our behavior.