Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) | Safe and Sound Protocol UK

Who is the SSP for?

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a therapeutic intervention designed for individuals facing various challenges related to stress, anxiety, social engagement difficulties, and sensory processing issues. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges in alignment with the Polyvagal Theory, the SSP may alleviate a wide range of symptoms, including:

Chronic health problems

Mental Health conditions

Substance use challenges

Attention and learning differences

Changes in appetite, energy, desires and interests

Difficulty sleeping

Feelings of loneliness and isolation

Difficulty connecting with others

What does the SSP involve?

The SSP is a listening programme, in which specially-filtered music progressively trains your auditory system to focus on sound frequencies resembling that of the human voice. By stimulating the facial and vagus nerves via the middle ear, it sends cues of safety to your nervous system, helping you to feel more settled, engaged and balanced.

Assessment

The SSP is not suitable for everyone. If your current circumstances are contributing to your dysregulation, it is best to wait until things settle down for you before starting the SSP. For some people it is advisable to use the SSP only alongside ongoing therapy.

You will therefore be asked to complete an assessment to screen for contraindications. The assessment also helps me to understand how your nervous system currently responds to challenges. Assuming the SSP is suitable for you, the assessment will inform the individualised programme I will set out for you.

Please note that the SSP is not suitable for self-administration; co-regulation with your provider, who understands how the nervous system works, and who is able to regulate themselves, is an important part of retraining your nervous system.

The role of the provider

As your SSP provider, I will guide you through your SSP journey through a combination of in-person or online video sessions and email contact. I will make sure you are fully prepared before you start listening to the music, and will recommend a personalised listening plan for you. I will provide psychoeducation and answer any questions you may have. During the listening, I will monitor your progress and make sure you are progressing through the programme at a pace which is right for your individual nervous system.

The role of the listener

During a listening session, you will listen to the music, whilst engaging in light activity such as breathing exercises, stretches or drawing (if you wish). It is important you let me know of any feelings or sensations that arise, whether emotional or physical, so that your listening plan can be adjusted to suit the needs of your individual nervous system as they evolve over time. Less is more when it comes to the SSP, so listen to the “whispers” of your nervous system before they become “shouts”! You are listening to and honouring your nervous system’s needs, not simply listening to the music.

If you have any questions which are not covered below, please get in touch.

Can anybody do the SSP?

There are some contraindications, therefore please first complete my free screening questionnaire. If the results indicate that the SSP is likely to be suitable for you, the next step is to complete an no-obligation SSP assessment (£50), the results of which will inform your personalised listening plan. On occasion, the assessment will indicate that the SSP is not advisable at this time, or only in conjunction with therapy, either with me (subject to availability) or with another therapist of your choice.

What does the SSP assessment involve?

The SSP assessment involves a brief online meeting with me, so that I can get a sense of your needs and current circumstances. I will then email you one or more questionnaires, the results of which I will use to recommend a personalised listening plan.

I want to go ahead with SSP. What do I do next?

Please first complete this free screening questionnaire. If the results indicate that there is no reason why you shouldn’t do the SSP, you will be sent a link to where you can book a no-obligation SSP assessment (£50). Following the assessment, if you’re happy with the recommended listening plan and with my availability to monitor your listening, you are welcome to book the SSP protocol.

You are welcome to contact me before booking your assessment to find out when I would be available to start.

What equipment will I need for the SSP?

The SSP will be delivered via an app called Unyte iLs. You will need an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12 or later, or an Android device less than 2 years old. Your device will need to be connected to the internet in order to use the app. A set of recommended Sennheiser over-ear (cup-style) headphones is included in the cost of the course, but you may need to purchase an adapter so that you can use these with your particular device.

Can I use earbuds?

No. Over-the-ear headphones provide an immersive sound experience because of their enclosed nature. The vagus nerve has a sensory branch from the external ear, the external auditory canal, and the pinna (which is the ear skin/tissue itself). Covering the whole ear with over-ear headphones maximises input to the vagus nerve for maximum parasympathetic function. Earbuds only bring input to the external auditory canal and eardrum.

How long does the SSP programme take to complete?

Your nervous system is individual to you, and your programme will be personalised according to your needs. The Core protocol comprises 5 hours of listening, but the length of the intervention depends on the individual capabilities of the listener’s nervous system. This can range from 10 days, with a listening frequency of 30 min per day, to several weeks or longer if your nervous system can only tolerate a few minutes per day.

Do you have to observe all my listening?

No. I will observe your listening to SSP Core during an initial meeting, so that I can provide instructions and education and so that I can see how you respond to the music in case any adjustments need to be made to your personalised programme. I may also want to observe part of your listening session in hour 3, because that is when you are most likely to experience challenges. After that, you may well be able to listen by yourself at home, but please remain in close contact with me for the duration of the programme, regularly feeding back your experience of the SSP (any feelings, reactions or body sensations, for example) so that the programme can be adjusted if necessary.

What can I do while listening?

Light movement, breathing exercises, and drawing, colouring or puzzle activities are gentle activities you can engage in while listening. High-intensity exercise, cognitively demanding tasks and video games or computer work are not advised, as these may be too activating for your nervous system.

Are there any side effects?

You may experience physical sensations or tiredness during and after listening such as pressure in the head or headache, butterflies in your stomach or stomach ache, a racing heart or other feelings of anxiety. This is normal and is a sign that the SSP is working; however, if this happens, it is important that you pause the music and engage in regulation activities. It is also important that you let me know about these responses, as it may be advisable to adjust your programme in order to minimise discomfort and maximise benefits. It is really important not to overtax your nervous system, but that you gently stretch it. Remember, “less is more” – this is not a “no pain, no gain” programme!

Will I feel the benefit of the SSP straightaway?

Some people notice changes immediately, but it can take up to 7 weeks to feel the full benefits of the SSP. It may be that changes are happening, even though they may not be the changes you were hoping for. In this case, you may want to repeat the SSP, as long as 6 – 8 weeks have passed since you finished the last course. However, please note that there is no guarantee that the SSP will be effective for any particular condition and is not a substitute for therapy or medical help.

How much does it cost to do the SSP?

I charge an initial assessment fee of £50. If the assessment indicates that it is appropriate to go ahead with the SSP, I charge a one-off fee of £250, to include a set of Sennheiser headphones, up to three contact hours, a single round of the Core programme and access to the SSP Playlists (in accordance with your personalised programme) and a resources area for 2 months.

The contact hours include an initial half-hour face-to-face meeting (online or in-person), other shorter meetings and email contact during your listening. If your needs are particularly complex, I may need to charge more for additional meetings and monitoring. If you are a current counselling or EMDR client of mine, I can offer the SSP at a reduced rate. Please enquire.

If you require additional months of access, this will be charged at £60 per month. Once you have completed the Core programme, this will be replaced with access to the Balance programme so that you can maintain your gains.

Can I repeat the SSP Core within the 2 month access period?

No. You will need to wait 6-8 weeks after finishing the Core programme before repeating it, to allow your nervous system to fully integrate the changes from the first round. Listening to SSP too frequently can potentially lead to overstimulation or dysregulation, so it’s important to listen at a pace that suits your individual nervous system.