Polyvagal Theory explores the science of safety as well as our biological drive as mammals to be in relationship and interdependence.

During the SSP, the inner ear muscles actively dampen low-frequency background sounds and facilitate the ability to hear and understand human speech. When the middle ear muscles do not contract appropriately, individuals tend to have sound sensitivities and difficulties understanding speech in noisy environments.

This can be viewed as an "adaptive strategy", enhancing the ability to hear low frequency (20-100 Hertz) as human speech is 500-4,000 Hertz - which the human body associates with danger and predators.

The middle ear muscles can be stuck in a defensive response either blocking or dampening input or over-focusing on input in a hypervigilant manner.

The SSP is designed to rehabilitate the middle ear muscles through a specific sequence of filtered music.

As the nervous system experiences more safety, it begins to unwind allowing unprocessed emotions, memories, and experiences that have been kept out of awareness to be invited back to be seen, met, felt, and heard.

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Participants will need to use over-the-ear headphones (with noise-cancelation turned OFF). Earbuds are not suitable for SSP listening.

You will receive an invitation from Integrated Listing (Unyte ILS) to register for the Safe and Sound Protocol on your computer. This will require you to set up a password and watch a short video.

Once registered through your computer, you will download an app to your I-Phone or Android called Unyte ILS, this wil be how you access your playlists. Instruction and support for set-up will be provided during orientation.

Some providers offer support for self-guided SSP listening, however because of the importance of co-regulation, I only administer the SSP through co-listening (either in pods or 1:1 sessions). It’s common for people to underestimate the impacts of the SSP when they first begin because the delivery can feel quite gentle. We are working directly with your survival physiology and it is incredibly important to move at a pace that allows for titration and integration. The SSP is not a one-and-done therapy. Profound changes can often continue for weeks or even months after listening is complete. 12 weeks is the safest and most supportive way I have found to benefit from the SSP with the combined approach I offer.

The short answer is yes, but as with all things SSP related — you have choices. It’s important for our ability to co-regulate that you have your camera on so I can see you and attune to you during check-ins. You don’t need to be on camera while you’re listening to the music itself, and you can always adjust and adapt how you are on screen in ways that support your nervous system to feel safe. You’ll receive lots of support to explore what works best for you.

The SSP is not recommended for those experiencing active psychosis, currently on antipsychotic medication, or with recent psychiatric hospitalizations. The SSP is not recommended for those with active or uncontrolled seizures, acute tinnitus, or who are actively reporting thoughts of suicide.

Participants with acute PTSD or C-PTSD symptoms may find it challenging to be in a group setting as this process can include a gentle disarming of psychological defences. Please check in with Marika to determine if your nervous system would be better suited to do this journey in an individual setting rather than a group.

Participants need to have a stable and safe enough home environment to return to after each listening session without threat of physical harm.

Part of the beauty of this approach is the ability to address the impacts of trauma without revisiting or unpacking specific details. The group container focuses on somatic and autonomic responses, and sharing is directed toward your present moment experience during listening sessions. You are welcome to share emotions, thoughts, and sensations during the group check-ins to the level that is comfortable for you.

This group is set up as a lower cost option to access the SSP in a closely tended relational container. This rate (which works out to be about $60/hour) is intended to make the SSP more financially accessible than doing it 1:1 with a therapist, while still providing a lot of tailored support.

Some providers will administer a more self-guided approach which often costs less, but I don’t find that to be as effective or safe for working with significant attachment trauma. I find that the protocol is most impactful when done within an intimate relational container, which requires more of my time and energy to hold.

There are many ways to deliver the SSP, this is the way I find works best for my practice.

That being said, I offer a limited number of further reduced rate spots for economically marginalized people. This option can be selected on the application.

A refund of full tuition paid minus $100 if cancellation is made up to 2 weeks prior to the start of the course. A refund of 50% of tuition paid minus $100 is available if cancellation is made 1 week prior to the start of the course. No refund is available if cancellation is made within 3 days of the start of the course.

I offer the SSP in combination with bodywork for clients who are able to see me in-person, I don’t work 1:1 online. You can learn more about my bodywork practice here.