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Safe and Sound Protocol

person with eyes closed, relaxed, listen

A listening therapy to increase

felt safety, social connection, and emotional regulation.

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SSP Listening Programs

SSP Connect

Is a 5 hour listening program of the songs that you will listen to in the core program. Connect is used to get you used to music that you will listen to. It in no way is designed to stimulate your nervous system. This is sometimes used if there is any anxiety with listening or with children. Children sometimes prefer music they are used to and can be beneficial to have it playing in the background before starting the Core Program

 

SSP Core

Music that is altered for specific frequencies and filtrations that stimulate the middle ear. The middle ear then sends direct signals of safety to the mid-brain (where memories and emotions are housed). It is a total of 5 hours and at most can be listened to one hour a day and as small as a few minutes. You will track your nervous system and somatic activation to determine what are good listening time increments.

 

SSP Balance

Is music designed to be listened to after you complete the core program.  It is less filtered, designed to keep your nervous system calm and has no listening restrictions. We find that people really enjoy listening to this during the post 8 weeks.

For most clients, completing the program means listening to all five hours of a selected program; however, many clients repeat SSP programs several times a year or use the SSP Balance pathway for on-going and exponential benefits.

1 

What is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)?

The whole idea behind SSP is to promote a sense of security and enhance your ability to think, feel and connect more effectively by regulating their nervous system.  Developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a research-based listening therapy used to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience.  This non-invasive application of the Polyvagal Theory helps you access a physiological state conducive to well-being, positive engagement with others, and growth in learning and therapy.  While you listen, you get to sit back and relax or engage in a soothing activity.  SSP uses vibrations from filtered popular music to exercise your inner ear muscles.  

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The SSP is a research-based listening therapy utilizing filtered popular music to exercise the muscles in the middle ear to increase neuroception of safety.  Neurception is the process by which the nervous system subconsciously scans and interprets environmental cues as safe or dangerous.  SSP increases sense of safety, social engagement,  emotional regulation, and attention. It decreases auditory sensitivities, anxiety, and trauma responses of flight/flight/freeze. 

2

What to expect from SSP

You will have a year of access to the SSP program and we find that this allows clients to take full advantage of all 3 listening programs and a chance to do the program multiple times.  SSP can be done through at home sessions or integrated into your therapy sessions.

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  1. You will meet for in initial 30 minute consultation to determine if SSP is a good fit for you and answer any questions you may have about the process. 

  2.  Once you decide to move forward with starting SSP  you may complete an assessment of your nervous system to keep track of progress.

  3. You will receive an invite to set up an account with my.Unyte.com.  You will choose a playlist that suits your music preferences. Genres include popular music, classical, children's music, and ambient music. Offering both vocal and non-vocal options.

  4. You will schedule an initial 1 hour listening session with your provider where you will get access to the program from the Unyte Health phone app and learn how to track your nervous system, regulation tools, and increase neuroception to get the most out of your at-home listening sessions.

  5. You will make a plan to finish the remainder of the sessions at home or decide to continue listening sessions with a provider.

  6. You will have email check-ins with your provider for guidance on session timing, help you notice any changes, and provide general support for you to get the most out of the process. It is recommended for listening sessions to be as consistent as possible.

  7. After completing the 5 hours of the Core program you will be invited to listen to the Balance playlist for the following 8 weeks while the program continues to work. SSP is known to continue to see effects for up to 8 weeks after  finishing the core program.

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The SSP consists of 3 listening programs: Connect, Core, and Balance. Each consists of five hours of music. These may be delivered in 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute or smaller segments, depending on the individual needs of the client. Listening segments may occur daily, depending on the individual needs.

 

SSP can be experienced in session or at home via remote delivery through a smartphone app.  Each family needs to have access to a smartphone and a set of over-the-ear headphones. Clients must be able to turn off any noise-canceling functions. Earbuds or in-ear headphones cannot be used for SSP.

 

It is recommended not to look at any screens or do any activity that is stressful or would increase your heart rate.

 

Clients sometimes generally report the following experiences:

More calm, fatigue, and changes in sleep. This may include changes in mood, irritation, increased sensitivity to the environment, changes in taste and hearing senses, movement in somatic symptoms, decrease in chronic pain and tension, and a decrease in typical reactions to those around them.

3

Is SSP for me?

SSP is not a good fit for everyone and we suggest a consultation with your coach to assess if it's a good fit.  SSP promotes a neural platform for health, and growth, sends signals "safety cue" signals, and restoration. 

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The SSP is NOT recommended for:

  • Clients who are experiencing active psychosis.

  • Clients with active or uncontrolled seizures.

  • Clients who are actively experiencing tinritus (ringing in the ears).

  • Clients demonstrating intentional self-harm or actively reporting thoughts of suicide.

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Areas of Improvement Potentially Arising 2-8 weeks after completion of SSP Core

  • ​Improved manual dexterity

  • More active classroom participation and better resilience against challenges

  • Better visual focus and tracking

  • Greater ability to express feelings in words

  • Enhanced ability to stay regulated during face-to-face interactions

  • Heightened self-awareness, especially of emotions

  • Better communication regarding personal emotions

  • Decreased panic attacks, fears, and phobias

  • Improved heart function

  • Improved breathing patterns

  • Greater tolerance for busy environments

  • Enhanced sense of humor

  • Better ability to interpret social cues

  • Reduced stress levels

  • Improved digestion

  • Better bladder control

  • Hormonal adjustments for women

  • Decreased concerns related to long COVID symptoms

  • Increased self-confidence and self-preservation instincts.

  • Greater displays of seeking and expressing affection

  • Enhanced facial movement and expressiveness

  • Increased bodily flexibility

  • Alleviation of chronic pain

  • Changes in throat tension and voice pitch

  • Better eye contact

  • Reduction in repetitive movements and restlessness

  • Heightened sense of calm

  • Auditory improvements and fewer sensory hypersensitivities

  • Smoother transitions

  • Enhanced speech and language abilities

  • Reduced food sensitivities and less finicky eating

  • Better reciprocal communication

  • More purposeful thoughts and actions

  • Improved comprehension skills

  • Greater ease in following directions

  • Faster processing speed

  • Enhanced organization

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SSP Package Cost

Current Clients

  • You can gain a year access to SSP for $350 and integrate it into your treatment.

  • Same benefits as an individual plan.

$450

$600

$750

Individual

  • Required: One online session at the start of the SSP process. 

 

Included in cost:

  •  Email check-ins, Monday - Friday

 

  • Access to the SSP app for up to 12 months

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  • If you would like access after the full year it will be another additional $300 and an assessment of your current nervous system and goals.

 

  • You may need additional listening sessions with your coach. $100 for 30 minutes to $200 for 60 minutes.

 

  • Additional sessions can be used for check-ins, provider-supported listening, or additional relevant services and modalities.

Parent and Child SSP

  • The best SSP results in children occur when a parent does SSP first, or together with their child.

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Included in cost:

 

  • Required: One online session for each family member

 

  • Email check-ins, Monday - Friday

 

  • Access to the SSP app for 12 months

 

  • Additional yearly access is $300/year.

 

  •  Additional sessions can be used for check-ins, provider-supported listening, or additional relevant services and modalities.

Parent & Two Other Family Members SSP

  • Help each person and the family as a whole by stimulating and regulating nervous systems together! 

 

Included in cost:

  • Required: One online session per family member.

 

  • Email check-ins, Monday - Friday

 

  • Access to the SSP app for 12 months

 

  • Additional family members' SSP listening accounts are $250 each.

 

  •  Additional sessions can be used for check-ins, provider-supported listening, or additional relevant services and modalities.

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