SSP CERTIFIED TO SERVICE CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND ADULTS IN INDIANA AND INTERNATIONALLY
In-person & online
SSP MUSIC THERAPY
THE SAFE AND SOUND PROTOCOL (SSP)
Trauma
Social Anxiety
Depression and Anxiety
Neurodevelopmental Differences: Including autism, hyperactivity, and attention issues
Sensory and Auditory Processing Differences
Auditory Sensitivities: Such as misophonia and tinnitus
Other Nervous System Overstimulation: Including gastrointestinal disruptions and sleep challenges
Research-based, the SSP has demonstrated benefits in the following areas:
What is the SSP?
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a powerful listening therapy designed to help regulate the nervous system, so you can better connect with yourself, others and the world around you.
The SSP is a non-invasive 5-hour auditory intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges as an evidence-based therapeutic tool designed to reset the nervous system and return it to safety.
How Does the SSP Work?
The SSP features specially filtered music that stimulates the vagus nerve. It may sound different from ordinary music because it delivers frequencies of a melodic human voice. This encourages the middle ear muscles to retune and strengthen, allowing the nervous system to better interpret human speech and feel safe.
The autonomic nervous system is constantly taking in and responding to cues from other people, our environment, and inside our bodies that tell us if we’re safe. The more often our nervous system feels unsafe, the easier it is to get stuck and harder it is to interpret cues of safety.
Whether it’s from past traumas or other life circumstances, this might present itself as spending more time stuck in a fight, flight or freeze state.
The SSP works to interrupt your patterns by sending cues of safety to the nervous system. This gives our body a chance to become more equipped to respond more effectively to life's challenges, access higher learning and cognition, and foster stronger relationships.
When Will I see a change?
Your nervous system may take 2-3 months after completion of the SSP to integrate changes and realize the full benefit of the program.
During your listening experience, shifts occur within the autonomic nervous system and the vagal nerve complex. The shifts may be subtle, other times big. Supporting the listener is essential as they refamiliarize themselves with new patterns of safety.
Your fight / flight/ freeze/ fawn response will be less engaged as feelings of safety increase.
Shifts you may notice:
Better emotional control
Easier and more spontaneous social connections
Increased ability to listen and comprehend
Improvements in auditory and sensory sensitivities
Enhanced self-regulation
Increased access to executive functions and higher cognitive abilities
Reduction in pain levels
Lower anxiety
Improved expressive and receptive language skills
Frequently asked questions about The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
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THERE IS NO COST FOR ACTIVE THERAPY CLIENTS
INTAKE APPOINTMENT + SSP $550
Additional SSP support (if needed) - cost will be determined based on individual needs.
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The SSP is 5 hours
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Yes, the SSP can be used in conjunction with other therapies or treatments. It can complement various approaches and is often integrated into a broader treatment plan.
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Reach out here
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Purchase SSP-approved headphones.
Over-the-ear (circumaural) headphones are used to allow for an immersive sound experience.
Recommended Headphones
These headphones are not recommended.
Bluetooth headphones
On-ear headphones and earbuds
Headphones with bass-boosting feature (unless switched off)
Noise-canceling headphones (unless noise-canceling can be switched off) Noise-canceling headphones emit a low-frequency sound that disrupts the mid-frequency sound of background noise. These same mid-frequency sounds are critical to the efficacy of SSP delivery. In addition, noise-canceling headphones create an isolating experience that could feel unsafe for some listeners.
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When listening to the SSP music, both the listener and co-regulator must be in a ventral vagal state.
Listed below, you will find suggested regulating activities.
Yoga
Dance
Music
Nature
Meditation
Breathing exercises
Grounding/earthing
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Listeners may engage in quiet activities such as gentle movement, Lego, puzzles, modeling clay, drawing, etc., as long as they feel calming and do not activate a stress response (frustrating activity).
While listening to the SSP music, avoid electronics, talking, reading, using a phone or computer, or performing complex tasks.