Now more than ever, the world is a busy place filled with uncertainty. People of all ages, demographics and geographies are struggling. When faced with what the body perceives as threats or danger, it responds by re-tuning the nervous system into states of defense – either “fight or flight” (sympathetic) or “freeze” (dorsal vagal). The brain and body’s first priority is to keep us alive.
When the nervous system remains in a chronic state of defense, it affects both the mind and body – impacting how we feel, think, and connect with others.
This can adversely affect our health and day-to-day experience in the world. A proven solution is to look from the bottom up.
Feel Better — feel more safe, calm, grounded and resilient; feel less irritable, anxious and overwhelmed
Think Better — think more clearly, attentively, and creatively, think less rigidly, disorganized and distractible
Connect Better — connect more openly, genuinely and wholly; connect less guardedly, distantly and oppositionally
"This has definitely made a huge impact!! He has barely walked on his toes and that extension in his fingers have been gone. Amazing!. I must say this has been the best $300 I’ve ever spent. He’s on average so much calmer then he’s ever been. And like I said, in the beginning it was pure magic. He has had days where he’s just 100% «normal». Just calm and collected. Playing by himself, asking questions and listening."
"We have only completed 2 sessions and he is a different child. He is calmer and communicative (without being in fight mode), cooperative, played with this brother without fighting or being aggressive (!!).
The true test -- we went to a trampoline park today and it was packed and loud. He didn't get dysregulated once....."
"He's vocalizing more since we started your course at the start of this week. He was pretty non verbal but he's now saying mama, dada, starts lots of babbling and singing in his own language!"
"I'm already seeing some subtle changes with Lucas already. He seems more calm, very loving, getting along with his brother more. We just finished the first hour today.
I also feel great! I can see some changes with myself and I have been much more calm these last few days I have had more patience too :)"
What is the Safe & Sound Protocol?
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and based on the Polyvagal Theory, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a five hour auditory intervention designed to address a number of common symptoms experienced by children and adults. The listening protocol is done while completing quiet, enjoyable activities or in a relaxed state.
The SSP stimulates nervous system regulation and can help with difficulties such as anxiety, irritability, anger, social interaction and auditory sensitivity.
The intervention uses prosodic vocal or instrumental music that has been filtered to send soothing signals of safety that train the middle ear to filter out signals of danger (low frequency sounds) and instead take in more signals of safety (high frequency sounds such as the human voice) - making the nervous system shift to a calmer state. The music is heard through headphones via a digital app while engaging in a calm activity.
What Should You Expect from SSP?
SSP assists in calming the physiological and emotional state which leads to improved communication, improved emotional regulation & behaviors, and leads to subsequent interventions being more effective.
Some of the changes that occur with SSP may occur immediately. Most changes occur over 3 months or more as the individual is able to engage and relate in new ways. Continuing to regulate the nervous system following listening with other interventions (such as OT, reflex integration with INTEGRATE, ILS auditory training, etc) increases gains tremendously.
SSP is not a cure-all, but it can create physiological changes that are otherwise difficult to attain. It is best seen as a tool to prepare the nervous system for change and as a adjust to other treatments, rather than a standalone intervention.
A great benefit of SSP is that it is a passive treatment. Children (and adults) do not have to engage in "talk therapy" or other top-down approaches to reduce anxiety and calm the nervous system. They simply have to listen to music while doing a preferred activity.
Given that the SSP is designed to be an adjunct to therapy, it is recommended to complete our INTEGRATE or Integrated Listening Program following the use of SSP.
Who might benefit from SSP?
Stephen Porges first began using the SSP with children with autism, resulting in sometimes remarkable changes. Now we know that SSP can also benefit individuals with:
Auditory sensitivity
Anxiety
Depression
Social skills
Language
Separation anxiety
Behaviors & acting out
Anger/aggresion
Learning problems
Sleep problems
Contraindications for the use of SSP
As Stephen Porges has described, the SSP is a “potent” intervention. Many people experience stronger emotions for a short time as their defense mechanism lower. There are some indications that SSP is not an appropriate intervention if the following is occurring:
Living in a home or work situation that is not currently safe
Current life upheaval
Trauma that has never been addressed in therapy
History of disassociation
Ongoing substance abuse
Current self harm
This information includes proprietary content about the Safe and Sound Protocol, used with permission from Unyte Health Inc. — leading provider of evidence-based listening therapies for nervous system regulation.
The SSP uses the auditory system as a portal to the vagus complex, which controls our physiological state. Once physiological state is regulated, we can accelerate or enhance subsequent therapy.
Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the program is derived from nearly four decades of research on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and social-emotional processes. It is designed to stimulate nervous system regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system with specifically processed music.
The music trains the auditory pathways by focusing on the frequency envelope of human speech. As the client learns to process these speech-related frequencies, they improve the functioning of two cranial nerves that are important for promoting overall social behavior. Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) helps clients focus on human voice and tune out irrelevant frequencies. Cranial Nerve X (Vagus Nerve) enables self-soothing and autonomic regulation.
Following successful completion of the intervention, individuals will be better able to focus in school, therapy, and everyday life and experience a calmed emotional and physiological state. This is based on studies that suggest that skills such as attention, state regulation and the ability to engage socially will be enhanced.
The SSP is now available for use virtually, for most clients. At Brain Connex Therapy we will guide you through the program and help to modify or make adjustments as needed. Virtually the treatment is a 5-hour listening program typically listened to for 15 minutes, plus or minus, per day. Most clients finish the program within 30 days. You will need access to a smartphone and ear-covering headphones (no earbuds, noise cancelling, or bone conduction). The SSP is not a stand-alone treatment. You will see best results for your child if coupled with other neurologically-based treatment such as reflex & brain integration, and/or higher-level neurological therapeutic activities. This is why we offer a bundle with our foundational primitive reflex integration program. The program is meant to be done with consistency. You will have access for up to 60 days, although most clients complete listening within 30 days, and receive access for up to 4 family members to listen from ONE app downloaded on ONE device (smartphone or tablet).
*Please note: the SSP is not meant to be a stand-alone treatment. Once you have completed the program and taken 1-2 weeks rest, it is recommended to continue with a neurologically-based movement learning program. We recommend our INTEGRATE program for continued work on the nervous system.
**Virtual SSP is not recommended for children or adults who have had signifiant trauma. Instead you should seek out in-person treatment with SSP**
What's included in your purchase of CALM:
60-day access to listening programs for one listening session/person (60 day expiration begins when you start listening, not from date of purchase)
Includes up to 4 family members able to listen on one app/device
Initial Consultations with licensed OT and guidance throughout the program.
Discount for "booster" sessions
Education in calming techniques & vagal tone exercises
Requires over-the-ear headphones that are not noise cancelling + smartphone to download app
Option to add additional time or playlists for extra fee
Our CALM program consists of a 5-hour listening program, guided by an OT, to help regulate emotions, reduce anxiety, and balance the nervous system.
Following successful completion of the intervention, individuals have reported better focus & attention, a calmed emotional state, better sleep, improvements in social engagement, and more.
BONUS: Use with up to 4 family members!
The SSP increased vagal regulation of the heart and normalized auditory processing in children with ASD. (Read here.)
The SSP enhanced social behavior in children with ASD. (Read here.)
Using the SSP with children who have experienced trauma. Funded by the Australian Childhood Foundation. (Read here.)
Assessing the effects of the SSP on behavioral regulation in children and adults with ADD/ADHD. In cooperation with: ADD Centre and Biofeedback Institute of Toronto. (Read here.)
Assessing the effects of the SSP on improvement of social and regulation behaviors in individuals with PWS. In addition, a new methodology for collecting and evaluating vocal samples for analyses of prosody will be assessed. (Read here.)
Determining if the SSP can decrease the atypical features of the Social Engagement System in adolescents and young adults with Prader Willi Syndrome. In cooperation with the Latham Centers School in Brewster, Massachusetts. (Read here.)
Examining the effects of the SSP on chronic pain in older adults. In cooperation with the Meadowood Retirement Community in Bloomington, Indiana. (Read here.)