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 in 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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The short answer is yes, but as with al thing SSP related — you have choices. It’s important for our capacity 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’re receive lot 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, active tinnitus, or who are actively reporting thoughts of suicide. Participants need to have a stable and safe enough home environment to return to after each listening session without threat of physical harm

You 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 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 to download an app on your I-Phone or Android phone called Unyte ILS, this wil be how you access your playlists. We wil go over all the logistics of set up during our first session.

Some providers offer support for self-guided SSP listening at your own pace, 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. 10 weeks is the safest and most supportive way I have found to benefit from the SSP in combination with the other approaches I offer.

I offer small groups as a lower-cost option to access the SSP in a relational container. These groups are meant to make the SSP more financially accessible than doing it 1:1, while still providing a lot of close tailored support. Some providers will administer a more self-guided approach, which I don’t find to be as effective or safe when working with significant attachment trauma.

I find that the protocol is most impactful when done within an intimate relational container, which involves more of my time and energy to hold. The group rate (which works out to be about $50 an hour) is lower cost while also offering a beautiful way to experience group somatic healing.