Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
The science of feeling safe.
Regulate Stress and Anxiety Through Sound
Do you experience uncontrollable anxiety, difficulties sleeping, ADHD, ASD,
trauma or sensory sensitivities?
The Safe and Sound Protocol can help
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based therapeutic acoustic program created by Dr. Stephen Porges and is designed to reset the nervous system and return it to safety. The SSP is designed to work with other therapeutic approaches and modalities, with demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences, ADHD, ASD and more.
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What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
Feel Better
Feel more: safe, calm, resilient
Feel less: irritable, anxious, overwhelmed
Think Better
Think more: clearly, attentively, creatively
Think less: rigidly, disorganized, distractible
Connect Better
Connect more: openly, genuinely, wholly
Connect less: guardedly, distantly, oppositionally
How Does It Work?
The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) is the only practical application of Polyvagal Theory, and is designed to improve sound sensitivities and auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through specially-filtered music.
The SSP allows for the repatterning of neural networks and improved regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) for lasting change.
Based on hierarchical recruitment of the ANS, the SSP trains the middle ear muscles to tune-in to cues of safety signaled by the frequencies of human voice, which stimulates the social engagement system through the neural network associated with listening.
The SSP interrupts chronic states of nervous system defense by stimulating the neural networks associated with listening.
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The SSP uses algorithmically filtered music focused on the frequency range of the human voice that alters the way sounds are interpreted.
This ushers the nervous system out of a defensive (fight, flight or freeze) state and into a socially engaged (ventral vagal) state.
Who Is It For?
The Safe and Sound Protocol, or SSP, is a non-invasive application of Polyvagal Theory, based on decades of research and developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, Unyte’s Chief Scientific Advisor. It is suitable for children and adults, and has been designed to work with a diverse variety of therapeutic approaches and modalities.
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The SSP’s effectiveness has been proven in a wide range of studies, most notably in two clinical trials involving children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Trial participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in:
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Emotional control
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Behavioral organization
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Hearing sensitivity and listening
The protocol is beneficial for adults and children suffering from autonomic dysregulations such as chronic anxiety and stress, trauma, auditory and sensory processing issues, and even autoimmune disorders related to digestion and elimination such as IBS.
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Explore SSP case studies and research
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What can Safe and Sound Protocol Do For Your and Your Family?
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Reduce stress
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Improve mood
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Find pleasure in living
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Reduce unwanted symptoms
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Release muscle tension
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Live healthier (with nervous system regulation, comes better immune modulation)
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Repair and strengthen relationships
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Engage in more satisfying relationships
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Build resilience
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Improve ability to focus and learn
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Improve communication skills
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Enhance the work of other modalities
What is involved?
The SSP program uses algorithmically filtered music focused on the frequency range of the human voice that alters the way sounds are interpreted. It interrupts chronic states of nervous system defense by stimulating the neural networks associated with listening. This ushers the nervous system out of a defensive (fight, flight or freeze) state and into a socially engaged (ventral vagal) state and involves;
There are three phases to the program.
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CONNECT -unfiltered and intended to acclimate you or your loved one to the playlist and the pattern of daily therapeutic listening.
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CORE - This is the therapeutic portion of the listening program. The same playlists are now filtered music designed to stimulate the middle ear muscle and conduct vibration through the skull.
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BALANCE - This final phase of your SSP program will help you continue to stabilize and maintain a sense of calm and grounding, and further integrate the benefits
of SSP Core.
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Each 5 hour phase consists of listening to music played from an app on your iPhone or Android through special earphones. It;
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requires five hours of listening commitment
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includes 3 unique pathways for customization
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delivered in person or remotely
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access to app
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reassessment's and reviews.