What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and How Can It Help You?
What Is SSP?
If you’ve ever felt like your body is constantly stuck in stress mode—unable to fully relax, focus, or feel safe—you’re not alone. Many people struggle with nervous system dysregulation due to anxiety, trauma, ADHD, or sensory processing challenges.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a groundbreaking, science-backed intervention designed to help your nervous system reset, making it easier to experience calm, connection, and focus. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, SSP is based on Polyvagal Theory, which explains how our nervous system responds to safety and threat.
SSP uses specially processed music to stimulate the vagus nerve, a key player in emotional regulation, social engagement, and stress resilience.
How Does SSP Work?
SSP is a listening-based therapy that involves listening to filtered music through headphones. This music is designed to activate the social engagement system in your brain, which helps your body transition from a constant state of fight-or-flight into a sense of safety and connection.
Key Elements of SSP:
✔️ Filtered Music: The sound is processed to train the nervous system to detect safety cues.
✔️ Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Helps regulate heart rate, digestion, and emotional responses.
✔️ Gradual, Gentle Process: Typically involves 5 listening sessions over a period of time to allow the nervous system to adapt.
Who Can Benefit from SSP?
SSP has been shown to help people with a variety of challenges, including:
Anxiety & Stress: Helps shift the nervous system from chronic fight-or-flight to a regulated state.
Trauma & PTSD: Supports nervous system healing and emotional resilience.
ADHD & Executive Function Challenges: Enhances focus, impulse control, and emotional balance.
Sensory Processing Issues: Reduces sensitivity to noise, light, and touch for people who experience sensory overload.
Social Anxiety & Connection Struggles: Helps improve social engagement and interpersonal comfort.
Whether you’ve been struggling with mental health concerns, emotional regulation, or simply feeling disconnected from yourself and others, SSP may be a powerful tool to support your healing journey.
What to Expect During an SSP Session
SSP is a gentle and non-invasive process that can be done in-person or remotely. Here’s what the experience typically looks like:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
Before starting SSP, you’ll have a consultation to discuss your goals, needs, and any concerns to ensure SSP is the right fit for you.
Step 2: Personalized Listening Plan
SSP is not a one-size-fits-all program—it’s adapted to your individual nervous system. You’ll receive a customized plan for your sessions.
Step 3: Listening Sessions
You’ll listen to specially processed music for a set amount of time. Some people feel shifts immediately, while for others, the effects build over time.
Step 4: Integration & Support
After your sessions, we’ll check in to help integrate the benefits into your daily life, using breathing techniques, somatic exercises, and other self-regulation tools.
The Science Behind SSP: Polyvagal Theory
SSP is based on Polyvagal Theory, which explains how the nervous system regulates safety, connection, and threat responses.
The three primary states of the nervous system include:
Ventral Vagal (Safety & Connection): When we feel safe, we can relax, engage socially, and think clearly.
Sympathetic (Fight-or-Flight): When we detect danger, our body prepares to react with anxiety, hyperactivity, or stress.
Dorsal Vagal (Shutdown/Freeze): In extreme stress, we may feel disconnected, numb, or exhausted.
SSP helps move people out of survival states and into a regulated, connected state, where they can feel calmer and more in control.
If you’re ready to experience the benefits of SSP for yourself, here’s how to begin:
📅 Step 1: Book a free consultation to discuss your needs.
🎧 Step 2: Begin your personalized SSP listening sessions.
🌱 Step 3: Experience improved nervous system regulation and emotional balance.
To find out more about my services, click here: Safe and Sound Protocol
