Nervous-system support through listening
Safe and Sound Protocol
A gentle, therapist-guided listening intervention designed to support regulation, connection, and a greater sense of safety.
- Fort Collins office
- Telehealth across Colorado
- Hybrid support
- Walk-and-talk integration
About SSP
Helping the nervous system become more available for connection
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and grounded in Polyvagal Theory. It uses specially filtered music to support autonomic regulation and social engagement.
I offer SSP for children, teens, and adults. It may be useful for people navigating anxiety, trauma-related stress, sensory sensitivity, low mood, or neurodivergent experiences such as ADHD and autism. Every plan is paced around the person rather than a rigid listening schedule.
SSP is not a stand-alone cure or a replacement for medical care. Responses vary, and we will check in throughout the process to decide what pace and level of support feel appropriate.
A flexible foundation
What SSP is designed to support
The goal is not to force calm. It is to create conditions that may help your nervous system respond with more flexibility.
Regulation
Support for noticing, tolerating, and moving through shifts in your physiological state.
Connection
A listening experience intended to support social engagement, presence, and felt safety.
Resilience
A steadier foundation for therapy, daily demands, sensory experiences, and meaningful change.
What to expect
A collaborative listening process
SSP can be offered in my Fort Collins office, remotely through secure telehealth, in a hybrid format, or integrated with walk-and-talk therapy when clinically appropriate.
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1
Consult and personalize
We talk about your goals, sensory needs, current supports, and whether SSP seems like a reasonable fit.
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2
Listen at a responsive pace
You listen to specially filtered music in manageable portions, with pacing adjusted to your responses.
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3
Integrate what you notice
We use therapy, reflection, and practical regulation tools to make sense of changes and support everyday life.
Private-pay SSP
$780 total
A complete supported listening package
My integrative approach
More than pressing play
Thoughtful SSP work includes preparation, pacing, co-regulation, and integration. I may draw from the following approaches based on your needs, preferences, and treatment goals.
Expressive arts
Music appreciation, visual art, journaling, and creative reflection.
Mindfulness and somatic practices
Grounding, body awareness, and gentle movement that respect your limits.
CBT and DBT skills
Practical tools for awareness, emotional regulation, and flexible responding.
Polyvagal-informed reflection
Exercises influenced by Deb Dana’s work to help map and befriend your nervous system.
Biofeedback-informed tools
Non-invasive ways to notice patterns and build nervous-system awareness over time.
Pricing and quality of care
Attuned, trauma-informed, and neurodivergent-affirming
I support children, teens, and adults navigating experiences that may include ADHD, autism, trauma, anxiety, depression, and more complex or persistent mental health concerns.
I work toward making care more accessible for people with inconsistent income or those who often fall through the cracks of traditional care systems. At the same time, SSP requires meaningful preparation, monitoring, and integration. The price reflects that level of clinical support rather than app access alone.
Trusted resources
Learn more about SSP
Explore the listening experience, the broader overview, and the theory behind the protocol.
The Music of the Safe and Sound Protocol
An accessible introduction to how the SSP playlists use specially filtered music.
View the infographic Plain-language overviewWhat is the SSP?
A user-friendly introduction to the listening process and who may benefit.
Explore the overview Science and theoryPolyvagal Theory
Learn how safety, physiological state, and social engagement are understood within this framework.
Read about the theoryCommon questions
Before you begin
Do I have to complete all five listening hours at once?
No. Listening is divided into manageable portions and paced according to your needs and responses.
Can SSP be completed remotely?
Yes. I offer remote SSP support through secure telehealth for clients located in Colorado, as well as in-person and hybrid options.
Is SSP only for children?
No. I offer SSP to children, teens, and adults when it is clinically appropriate and feels like a good fit.
Will insurance cover SSP?
The protocol is not usually covered as a stand-alone service. Some therapeutic integration may be part of ongoing covered psychotherapy when clinically appropriate, but benefits vary by plan.
Ready when you are
Find out whether SSP fits your path
Start with a free consultation, or choose the booking option that matches how you plan to pay for therapy.