Safe and Sound Protocol™ (SSP)
Safe and Sound Protocol™
SSP now available at Therapy with Michaela
SSP is an innovative addition to psychological treatment. The SSP was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and is designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience.
The SSP is an evidence-based listening therapy grounded in the neurobiology of safety. It uses music filtered through a patented algorithm to help shift the nervous system from defense toward regulation and connection. By supporting a felt sense of safety, it enhances clients’ capacity for presence, connection and engagement, which is known to accelerate therapeutic progress. The five-hour intervention helps to calm the physiological and emotional state, which in turn helps to improve communication and make therapy more successful.
This non-invasive and gentle approach that is used to support clients experiencing:
Trauma
Sensory challenges
Difficulties with social communication
Anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties
We believe that the SSP is an invaluable tool that can help you and/or your child to achieve greater emotional well-being. For further information, please visit these links and do not hesitate to discuss this directly with us.
Pure Listening: An SSP Listening Session
Watch a sample remote SSP listening session, featuring provider Leah Dawang and Rebecca Kase, LCSW
Trauma and the Nervous System: A Polyvagal Perspective
Polyvagal Theory | SSP (1) | What is SSP | Integrated listening
As the listener, all that is required of you during a session is to simply listen to the music and to let your provider know of feelings or sensations, whether emotional or physical, that may arise. Your provider may also have you engage in light activity during your listening sessions, such as stretches, breathing exercises, or drawing. Close communication is provided throughout the treatment, so that any adjustments can be made to suit your individual needs.
Based on hierarchical recruitment of the autonomic nervous system, the SSP trains the auditory processing system to tune into cues of safety signalled by frequencies of the human voice, which stimulates the social engagement system through the neural network associated with listening. The Focus System combines filtered music through air and bone conduction with movement activities, harnessing the power of neuroplasticity to change the brain.
Real-world Evidence:
85% of clients with anxiety symptoms reported improvement post-SSP
81% of clients with depression symptoms reported improvement post-SSP
87% of clients with trauma-related symptoms reported improvement post-SSP
84% of clients experiencing challenges with psychosocial functioning reported improvement post-SSP