What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?

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Developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a five hour, research based, auditory intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the SSP exerts a calming effect on our physiological and emotional state. This opens the door for improved healing, communication and feeling safe and at ease in social situations. 

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https://www.whatisthessp.com/

Who it Helps

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

• Social and emotional difficulties

• Auditory sensitivities

• Anxiety and trauma related challenges

• Inattention

• Stressors that impact social engagement

• Internal agitation, irritability and reactivity

• Those with physical conditions exacerbated by stress,

  Appetite, digestion and bowel regulation

Changes are often seen immediately, but many times gradually unfold over the course of 4 months as a person’s nervous system integrates and engages with the new information that is now available. If you have tried all types of therapy and nothing has worked, it could be because your nervous system is in a fight, flight or freeze response. The SSP is designed to help your body/brain shift out of these protective and survival mechanisms and orient towards healing and co-regulation.

 

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How It Works

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Listen to specially mastered vocal music through headphones. The songs are drawn from well known artists with lots of classic favorites. The music is like medicine for the vagus nerve (cranial nerve 10). This music may sound odd at times with changes in volume or direction. This is designed to exercise the tiny muscles of the middle ear so that they can become attuned once more to the range of frequencies that mammals use for social engagement, which are at a higher frequency band than that which is used for threat monitoring. The medicine will allow a normal restoration to the nervous system function. Away from protective vigilance; fight, flight, freeze, fawn and into connection, safety and regulation.