Let’s chat… The Safe and Sound Protocol
Created by Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D., the author of the Polyvagal Theory. This theory helps us understand the role the nervous system plays in regulating our overall health and behaviour. The emphasis in this approach is specifically on the vagus nerve, which is the target of this sound therapy.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) focuses on the toning of our vagus nerve and by doing so, it can support emotional regulation, social engagement, reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing (MyUnyte, 2023).
What does this actually mean? All you need to do is listen to the music and it will be working on toning your nervous system! Literally, it’s that easy! The hardest part is fitting this into your schedule consistently to see the best results.
But really… how can listening to music have this sort of impact?
Once your playlist is chosen and you begin listening, you will notice there are subtle sound differences in the songs. Playlists include songs we all are somewhat familiar with but sound slightly different. The filtering process that has been applied to the music is scientifically done so to be similar sound frequencies to the human voice. Many of us have nervous systems that cannot find cues OR misinterpret cues of safety. The filtered music in this program IS understood by the brain as a cue of safety. This allows your fight/flight/freeze response to be interrupted so your body can find calm.
Laura has been incorporating this program into her practice since the Spring of 2023 with some notable results shared by patients (both school aged children and adults)
- Overall sense of calm in the body, lasting for hours
- Ease of falling asleep increased
- Enhanced ability to access emotional regulation skills
- Reduced feeling of nausea related to anxious moments
The protocol is a type of sound therapy where you will be listening to specially-filtered music at varying intervals (10min-60min/day) until 5 hours of listening is reached.
It is a non-invasive way to support your, or your child’s, nervous system, often in the comfort of your home.
This program is only available through a trained practitioner, for a nominal fee, as there are various considerations prior to, during, and after the listening hours are completed. Our clinic currently offers this program for clients of our Registered Social Worker, Laura Archer.
To learn more about this program from the creators directly, please visit: http://www.whatisthessp.com
If you’re a current client of Laura’s and interested in learning more, please reach out to Laura directly.
If you’re not a current client and would like to learn more about this program and see if you and/or your child is a good fit for this listening program, please book a Meet and Greet appointment with Laura to discuss.