Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

Listening Therapy for Nervous System Regulation and Connection

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a five-hour, evidence-based listening therapy designed to calm the nervous system, enhance social engagement, and support emotional and physiological regulation. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and grounded in Polyvagal Theory, SSP uses specially filtered music to stimulate the vagus nerve—promoting a sense of safety, connection, and well-being.

More than just music, SSP is a powerful tool that integrates into therapeutic relationships to unlock healing and lasting change.

Who SSP Can Support

SSP is appropriate across the lifespan and complements a wide range of therapeutic approaches. It may benefit individuals experiencing:

  • Anxiety and depression

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Autism, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental differences

  • Sensory and auditory processing challenges

  • Learning difficulties

  • Sleep and regulation issues

  • Gut health and other autonomic nervous system concerns

Caregivers of children using SSP often report improvements in mood, behavior, flexibility, and social-emotional functioning.

Additional Issues SSP May Help Support

Emotional and Mental Health

  • Heightened emotional reactivity or frequent meltdowns

  • Mood instability or persistent irritability

  • Chronic fear, anxiety, or hypervigilance

  • Low self-esteem and self-worth

Developmental and Behavioral Challenges

  • Social communication difficulties

  • Selective mutism

  • Aggression, defiance, or behavioral outbursts

  • Oppositional or avoidant behaviors

Relational and Attachment Difficulties

  • Trouble forming or maintaining relationships

  • Early attachment disruptions (e.g., neglect or inconsistent care)

  • Difficulties with trust, connection, and relational safety

  • Challenges in parent-child bonding and co-regulation

Body-Based Symptoms and Health Conditions

  • Chronic tension, pain, or fatigue

  • Migraines or stress-related headaches

  • Functional neurological symptoms (e.g., dissociation, shutdown)

  • Immune dysregulation or chronic illness (e.g., PANS/PANDAS)

Speech, Language, and Communication

  • Delays in language development or articulation

  • Auditory hypersensitivity or aversion

  • Difficulties with listening, focus, or comprehension

Special Populations That May Benefit

  • Individuals with histories of developmental trauma

  • Children in foster care or adoptive placements

  • Survivors of domestic violence or emotional abuse

  • People in recovery from addiction or disordered eating

  • Adults navigating burnout, compassion fatigue, or complex stress

How SSP Works

  • Filtered Music: Delivered through headphones, the music is specially engineered to stimulate the ventral vagus nerve and support nervous system regulation.

  • Therapist-Guided: Sessions are paced intentionally and integrated into a safe, attuned therapeutic relationship to support co-regulation.

  • Polyvagal-Informed: Rooted in neuroscience, SSP addresses the physiological foundations of safety, emotional resilience, and healing.

SSP Works Well With

SSP complements and enhances many therapeutic modalities, including:

  • Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and play therapy

  • EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)

  • CBT, DBT, MBCT, and other talk therapies

Why SSP?

  • Promotes calm and physiological regulation

  • Reduces anxiety, reactivity, and overwhelm

  • Supports social engagement and communication

  • Enhances therapeutic readiness and integration

  • Helps individuals feel safer in their bodies and relationships

SSP is delivered by trained professionals including psychologists, therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and school counselors. This gentle, non-invasive intervention offers a foundational reset—helping individuals feel better, connect more deeply, and thrive in everyday life.