Evidence-based intervention developed by Dr Stephen Porges (Polyvagal Theory). The SSP is an acoustic vagal nerve stimulation therapy shown to improve anxiety, auditory sensitivities, communication, and social engagement.

The SSP allows for the repatterning of neural networks and improved regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) for lasting change.

Suitable for children and adults, the SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences, and much more.

The Polyvagal Safe & Sound Protocol developed by Dr Porges, is designed to improve sound sensitivities and auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through specially-filtered music.

The Safe and Sound Protocol is an evidence-based therapeutic tool designed to reset the nervous system and return it to safety. Designed to work with other therapeutic approaches and modalities, the SSP features specially filtered music that stimulates the vagus nerve to promote calmness and wellness.

Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Background Details

Over ten or more days, you will listen to the SSP filtered music via headphones. You will access the protocol via an app (a link with instructions to download the app will be emailed to you). Listening sessions are 5-10 minute increments (to a maximum of 30 minutes/day). The length of time depends on how your nervous system manages the input. Sessions are combined with relaxation; coregulation strategies and may include biofeedback or other clinical tools such as EMDR.

Although it is recommended to complete sessions over ten consecutive days, we work from a “less is more” policy. This means that you are closely supported throughout the protocol and monitored for signs such as fatigue or increased emotions that indicate your nervous system needs a break. This is a “Safe” before the “Sound” protocol, and it’s essential that you feel grounded before and throughout your session to maximize success.

We will develop an SSP listening plan that is individualized based on your needs. Given the small increments of time (5-30 minutes), some of the listening sessions will occur on your own at your convenience (if assessed to be safe and feasible). 

How does it work?

Based on Polyvagal Theory, the SSP is modulated vocal music designed to strengthen the neural network related to listening and feeling calm. Within this neural network is the very important vagus nerve. Our vagus nerve is responsible for your body’s “rest, regulation, restoration, and social engagement.” It also links the body to the brain and vice-versa.

When our vagus nerve is working well, we can regulate our thinking and feeling, and soften our sensations of stress, overwhelm, and anxiety. However, when our vagus nerve is out of sorts, our body can’t regulate, and we can experience BIG emotions, misread cues, and have heightened experiences of stress, overwhelm, and anxiety. The vagus nerve is also responsible for the healthy function of internal viscera such as the heart, stomach, intestines, liver, and spleen. These organs maintain internal wellness. During daily stress, the vagus restorative functions are comprised leading to gut, immune, and brain fog….symptoms often co-occurring with mental health challenges

This video has a great description of SSP and how it works: https://videopress.com/v/W93gM786

3 SSP Pathways
The SSP healing journey includes 3 pathways: Connect; Core; Balance.

Each pathway is designed to connect to the nervous system to foster calm and regulation.

Connect: 
“SSP Connect is unfiltered music. We offer this as an introduction to clients to familiarize themselves with the SSP protocol.  
Core: 
This is the original SSP that was released in March 2017. Used by tens of thousands of clients, this filtered music program reduces stress and auditory sensitivity by restoring connections to the nervous system!
Balance: 
“SSP Balance was developed as a follow up to the SSP Core to offer an opportunity to return to music as a calming and grounding

experience with a less strenuous neural workout. The music in SSP Balance uses the same playlists as SSP Core but is treated to present the frequency envelope of the human voice with a narrower and less dynamic modulation around this range. It should feel like less of an exercise program than SSP Core and more of a re-experiencing of the cues of safety your client will remember from SSP Core.” (Unyte-iLs, 2021)

Who benefits from SSP?
The SSP has an accepted patent as an acoustic vagal nerve stimulation therapy. The vagus nerve has regulation and restorative functions for our body and brain. With the amount of stress present in today’s society, most people are therefore good candidates. I have had reports from friends and spouses of clinicians trained in the SSP (hence neurotypical) that they have found the SSP beneficial. Reporting improved sense of calm, focus, and connection. However, it’s particularly beneficial for individuals working through anxiety, trauma, super-sensitive hearing, inattention, behavioural/emotional difficulties, and challenges with communication. The SSP creates space in the nervous system, helping to set the preparatory work for individuals wanting to start therapy, but need some grounding before they commence the journey. Some folks have even found that it works well for chronic pain, hormonal dysregulation, and issues with digestion!

The SSP is an evidence-based therapy for ASD and creates significant improvements in regulation, auditory processing, communication, and social engagement.

What if I have a significant trauma history? 
Trauma has a significant impact on one’s nervous system leaving one feeling vulnerable and unsafe. To support your nervous system with the shifts towards health we slow the protocol down to short sessions together. Again, this is a case-by-case situation, and our goal is for you to feel safe and supported throughout the entire journey (that means before SSP, during SSP, and after SSP).

What is involved in getting started?
Set up an initial consultation. We will explore if the SSP is right for you and discuss a plan forward. The plan may include education sessions to learn self-regulation strategies, and biofeedback, prior to commencing SSP. We may combine the SSP with EMDR or Neurofeeback. But working collaboratively we will plan forward together for optimal wellness.  

How do I know if it’s working?
We’ll be tracking things as we go. There is also a pre/post-test that evaluates issues going in and how they have shifted throughout and at the end of the treatment. 

Is it all smooth sailing?
Change can often be challenging to the nervous system and trigger sensations, thoughts, and sensations that feel unsettling. We need to remember that our physiology…neurochemicals, hormones, etc reset based on a nervous system under stress. Thinking about a thermostat analogy, the level resets to one of increased sensitivity, vigilance, maybe body fatigue, body achs, and brain fog. The SSP helps nudge the thermostat settings toward homeostasis but this process can feel a bit unsettling, hence why we progress slowly and stay closely connected to support you through the protocol. Why it is important to learn about your autonomic nervous system, what triggers it, calms it, and keeps you regulated.

Some effects that you might see: 
Clumsiness
Ringing in the ears (Tinnitus)
Diarrhea or gastrointestinal issues
Irritability and Explosiveness 
Increased aggression
Changes in the menstrual cycle
Headaches (tension) 
BIG emotion swings (lots of crying or frustration)
Increased anxiety 
Fatigue or sleep disturbances
Heightened sensitivity to sound/light/emotions/sensations
Vivid nightmares/dreams 
Blurred vision 
Feeling spaced out / brain fog
Heart palpitations 
Dizziness 
No improvement. 

Is SSP Immediate?
Like all good things, SSP takes time. It’s not a quick fix and works best alongside other therapies! Some clients feel shifts while working through the protocol, while others experience most change 1-7 weeks after treatment. Sometimes clients will repeat the therapy 2-3 more times, depending on the situation. Often children on the Spectrum benefit greatly from revisiting the SSP 4-6 weeks and use the Focus system in between for ongoing integration. 

What is Polyvagal Theory?
Steve Porges describes Polyvagal Theory:
 Video 1 
Deb Dana describes Polyvagal Theory
 
Link to Research:

https://integratedlistening.com.au/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/

Podcast library: 
https://integratedlistening.com/ils-podcast-series-library/