Safe and Sound Protocol: A Groundbreaking Approach to Nervous System Regulation.
For many of us, the world can feel overwhelming—whether it’s due to past trauma, stress, or the unique ways our brains process the world as neurodivergent individuals. The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a science-backed therapy designed to help with nervous system regulation, offering a sense of calm and connection amid stress and overwhelm. The protocol is particularly beneficial for trauma recovery, neurodivergence, and improving emotional regulation.
What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and grounded in his Polyvagal Theory, the SSP is an evidence-based therapeutic listening intervention that uses specially filtered music to stimulate the vagus nerve, which plays a central role in regulating the body’s stress response. When this system is functioning optimally, it helps us feel safe, connected, and grounded.
The Safe and Sound Protocol works beautifully as a standalone treatment or can be combined with other therapeutic modalities, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), for a more holistic approach to trauma recovery and emotional regulation.
How Does the Safe and Sound Protocol Work?
The SSP targets the neural pathways that help us process sound—particularly those essential for social engagement and emotional regulation. The specially designed music used in SSP activates the areas of the brain connected to the autonomic nervous system, promoting a shift from stress and emotional overwhelm to a more balanced, calm state.
This process helps individuals who experience heightened stress responses, trauma, or sensory overload return to a state of nervous system balance. The SSP works directly with the vagus nerve, enhancing the body’s ability to self-regulate and self-soothe.
What Does the Treatment Look Like?
The Safe and Sound Protocol is a gradual, safe process involving listening to specially filtered music through headphones. The treatment unfolds over several sessions, where you’ll listen to the music and focus on your bodily responses. The goal is to attune to your body, noticing any shifts in how you feel as your nervous system begins to recalibrate.
The treatment is titrated—meaning that sessions are carefully paced to avoid overwhelming the system. This gradual approach fosters a sense of safety and calm, allowing the body to regulate and move from a state of stress to one of ease.
As you engage with the music, you’ll also be encouraged to stay aware of how your body feels and respond with grounding techniques when needed. This is an important part of integrating the benefits of the treatment.
There are various types of music available during the treatment, each serving a different purpose. Some tracks are more calming, designed to soothe the nervous system, while others are more stimulating, helping to engage the brain and foster social connection.
What Can the Safe and Sound Protocol Be Used For?
The Safe and Sound Protocol is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing trauma, neurodivergence (including autism), and anxiety. Here are some of the areas it can support:
Trauma Recovery:
The SSP helps reset the nervous system after trauma, reducing the physiological effects of stress and promoting a sense of safety and emotional regulation.
Neurodivergence (Including Autism):
For neurodivergent individuals, SSP can improve social communication, emotional regulation, and sensory sensitivities. It creates a sense of calm, helping social interactions become more manageable and less overwhelming.
Anxiety and Stress:
By reducing the body’s overactive fight-or-flight response, SSP offers relief from chronic stress and anxiety, allowing the nervous system to return to a balanced state.
Emotional and Social Engagement:
If emotional regulation or social connection has been challenging, the SSP can help individuals feel more at ease and engaged in relationships, contributing to a greater sense of belonging.
Sleep Issues:
The calming effects of the SSP on the nervous system can support more restful sleep, which is often disturbed by stress or trauma.
Why the Safe and Sound Protocol Works
The Safe and Sound Protocol is grounded in Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, which is based on over 40 years of research into the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and our social-emotional experiences. The SSP works by stimulating the nervous system through specially processed music, which exercises the auditory system in a way that promotes nervous system regulation.
The music is designed to target frequencies that are essential for processing human speech. As clients tune into these frequencies, they help improve the functioning of two key cranial nerves that are critical for social engagement and self-regulation:
Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve): This nerve helps individuals focus on the human voice and filter out irrelevant background sounds.
Cranial Nerve X (Vagus Nerve): This nerve promotes self-soothing and autonomic regulation, enabling the body to shift from a stressed state to one of calm and balance.
Final Thoughts on the Safe and Sound Protocol
The Safe and Sound Protocol offers an innovative approach to healing trauma, supporting neurodivergence, and promoting emotional regulation through nervous system recalibration. By using specially filtered music, the protocol can help you feel more connected to yourself and others, improve social engagement, and manage stress more effectively. Whether used on its own or alongside other therapies like EMDR, SSP offers a powerful tool for improving overall well-being.
Ready to start listening? Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation with one of our therapists—this gives you an opportunity to ask questions and see if you’d like to work with them ongoingly.