Safe and Sound Protocol

The Safe and Sound ProtocolTM is a research-based auditory intervention designed to help people learn to attain a grounded state where they feel safe, connected, calm and social.
It has been demonstrated effective with children, adolescents, and adults of all ages.

 

Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the program is derived from nearly four decades of research on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and social-emotional processes. 

It is designed to stimulate nervous system regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system (i.e., exercise the middle ear muscles and connected cranial and vagus nerve) with a  proprietary algorithm of processed music.
Depending on the client’s intention for the work on autonomic regulation, additional activities and exercises will be introduced during and/or between sessions.

 

Ventral vagal tone can be inhibited through relational trauma or lack of attuned feedback during the preverbal developmental stages that build the scaffolding of feeling secure in the world, feeling seen, and trusting those we're dependent on get us well enough to meet our homeostatic needs.  

 

I integrate SSP with an Internal Family Systems understanding of protective parts functioning within the neurophysiology. When we detangle the thoughts, affect, emotions, and felt sense of safety/threat, restoration is possible from the inside out, expanding confidence and trust in relationship. No more internal conflict of needing to protect and wanting to connect.