The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a 5-hour therapeutic music-based intervention designed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on Polyvagal Theory to help calm the nervous system.
The music is fun to listen to and specifically designed to stimulate the vagus nerve which is responsible for calming the nervous system. When calmed, this allows for the creation of new, positive connections in the brain that creates a stronger foundation for new learning, for stability through major life transitions, more emotional regulation, and deeper participation in therapy.
SSP helps clients subtly feel calmer, more connected and attuned to others in their lives through use of the middle ear. While many kids are able to breeze through SSP in 5 sessions, for adults with a history of traumatic events SSP is often broken down into shorter listening periods to help stretch their nervous system rather than stress it.
Bright Spot provides SSP towards the beginning of treatment on your roadmap to wellness for interested clients who are wanting to maximize their gains.
This does not feel like traditional therapy, and we understand that it can feel really weird to have an auditory intervention, but our therapists are here for you to guide you through this evidence based protocol on your roadmap to wellness.
Your therapist will discuss the best starting point with you, but we offer…
- SSP Classical: music without words
- SSP Connect: non-treated music with lyrics
- SSP Core: treated music with lyrics
- SSP Balance: maintenance phase, if needed 3-6 months after completion of SSP core
Do you ever feel chills when you listen to music? You may have some intuitive sense of the Polyvagal Theory without actually knowing that there is evidence to support this auditory intervention.
What Happens in an SSP Session?
You come in, sit down, put on headphones, and listen to music. Within the program there is a volume tester and you’ll set the volume at a level you’re comfortable with. The music will be quiet at times on purpose, may sound muffled, far away, or even off key. Your ear expects to hear things one way, but when it doesn’t, you listen harder and through this process you learn to listen for cues of safety. We want to put your middle ear to work!
We monitor you for signs of distress and dysregulation, so you can proceed at a pace you are comfortable with. The music is fun to listen to and specially designed to stimulate the Vagus Nerve which is responsible for calming your nervous system.
When calmed, this allows your brain to create new positive connections creating a stronger foundation for new learning, stability through major life transitions, and more emotional regulation which all allow for deeper participation in therapy and deeper healing.
