Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Five hours of filtered music across four pathways—Safe-before-Sound, Connect, Core, and Balance—to regulate the nervous system, enhance auditory processing, and foster social engagement.
Book Your SessionAbout SSP
Safe and Sound Protocol provides a structured listening therapy that engages the ventral vagal system to support physiological regulation and social engagement.
- Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and grounded in Polyvagal Theory
- Non-invasive acoustic stimulation targeting the vagus nerve
- Supports anxiety reduction, trauma recovery, neurodivergent processing, and sound sensitivity
- Flexible delivery options: in-person, remote, outdoor, or hybrid formats
Cost
Private-Pay SSP
$650 + $130
- 5 hours of therapeutic integration @ $130/hr
- 12 months of Unyte mobile app access @ $130
SSP is not typically billable by insurance; however, you may integrate SSP protocol within your billable therapy services as an add-on (depending on your insurance provider and plan details). Contact for specifics.
How to Listen
- In-Person: Clinician-guided sessions with real-time support
- Remote: Secure Unyte app telehealth sessions
- Outdoor: Nature walks paired with listening for co-regulation
- Activities: Puzzles, coloring, crafts, or quiet games with sound off (e.g., Stardew Valley, Journey, Abzû, A Short Hike, Animal Crossing, Minecraft)
SSP consists of five total hours delivered across four pathways. Sessions can be scheduled flexibly based on individual needs and responses.
In each pathway, music segments increase filter strength progressively. Titration gradual adjustment of filter intensity and volume and pendulation alternating more stimulating and relaxing tracks guide the nervous system between states of engagement and rest.
Case Studies
Adult Anxiety Relief
A 42-year-old executive saw anxiety scores drop from 18 to 5 after completing Core and Balance, with lasting improvements in stress management.
Autism Regulation
An 8-year-old autistic child improved sensory tolerance and social engagement following Connect and Core pathways.
Adult Hearing Sensitivity
Adults with hyperacusis experienced a 40% reduction in sound discomfort, enabling more comfort in daily environments.
Adult ADHD Focus
A 29-year-old with ADHD reported enhanced attention and reduced distractibility after Core and Balance sessions.
Child Trauma Recovery
A 10-year-old in foster care regained emotional stability and safety perception, with significant reductions in trauma symptoms.
Science
Polyvagal Theory describes how the autonomic nervous system shifts between survival and social states. SSP applies progressive amplitude modulation and frequency filtering to transition from Safe-before-Sound through Connect, Core, and Balance, activating ventral vagal pathways.
Research shows SSP improves physiological markers like heart rate variability and cortisol, and enhances social engagement behaviors.
Playlists
- Original: Full-spectrum tracks like Adele’s “Hello” (view)
- Wonder: Engaging vocals such as classic Disney scores (view)
- Groove: Percussive instrumentals like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” (view)
- Freely: Ambient fusion by Dr. Allsop (view)
- Classical Flow: Mozart selections for calm focus (view)
Playlists are progressively filtered to support autonomic shifts from safety orientation to social engagement and balance.
Resources
Contact & Book
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (970) 541‑9517
Other Listening Therapies
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Certified 🌟
Let’s embark on a journey to inner peace and resilience using the power of sound. ‘Until we reach our destination, upward over the mountain.’ -Iron & Wine