The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a music therapy and listening training program. Which is specially designed to help people who have experienced trauma or long-term stress. It consists of five hours of listening to coded and filtered music. The five hours are listened to according to a listening schedule, where you listen to the SSP over an average of 20 days with a maximum of 20 minutes per day.

To avoid side effects, you will receive a gentle build-up with us. This also ensures that the therapy works better. This is because it gives your nervous system and body time to adjust.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges who is also the creator of the well-known Polyvagal theory. A scientific model which describes the evolution and functioning of the nervous system in mammals (and humans).

The SSP music is limited to frequencies corresponding to a safe human voice in the ventral state.

This creates safety and allows the autonomic nervous system, along with your body and mind, to relax.

This helps your body come out of a fight, flight or freeze mode.

The program trains the muscles in the middle ear to listen better to human voices. And less to other sounds that were dangerous from our evolution.

Discover the mechanism of action behind the SSP. So that you can better understand how you can benefit from this yourself.

The SSP helps to:

- Improve human speech processing

- Reduce noise sensitivities

- Improve social interactions

- Easier to deal with changing and demanding conditions.

- Managing our emotions better and distancing ourselves from them

- Improve neuroperception (sensing our environment)

Does the Safe and Sound Protocol really work?

Peer reviewed research has shown that the SSP provides enhanced vagus nerve function and positively affects HRV. The HRV is an important indicator of general health.

The SSP also demonstrated That it improves attention. And that it helps to cope better with changing situations.

It can also help us connect more easily and better with others and the world around us. In addition, it supports with concentration problems.

This video gives a great explanation of our autonomic nervous system. And why it is so important to our health and how we feel.

Despite being about music, the SSP is also a powerful tool that sometimes causes side effects when run through too quickly. 

What side effects are there?

Some people report mild side effects, including headaches, insomnia and fatigue, but these side effects were all temporary.

Due to our careful approach the chance of this is minimal, with us 95% follows it without side effects. If side effects do occur, we will adjust the method of listening in consultation so that you can continue listening without side effects.

Why does it support other forms of therapy?

The SSP allows people to feel safe again and therefore relax. This relaxation also allows people to be more open to therapy. And they are also able to change.
This is in contrast to a state in which one is primarily concerned with survival or is closed off. Therefore, the SSP helps accelerate results and improves therapeutic outcomes.

The SSP is designed to help the nervous system receive, process and respond more effectively to the signals and cues of the world around us. This allows us to participate more easily in modern busy life.

What is the scientific basis behind the SSP?

The SSP was developed based on the Polyvagal Theory (PVT). The PVT offers an explanatory model for how our nervous system works and develops. And shows how we can adapt to different circumstances.

The SSP trains hearing so that it focuses less on heavy sounds (of danger) and more on higher sounds (safety and the human voice). This creates a state where we can once again feel safe, connected and relaxed can feel.

The SSP uses prosodic music that has been filtered, to train the muscles in the middle ear. So that they focus on the frequency found in human speech. This alters the nervous system to perceive calming frequencies better perceive.

The SSP acts directly on the nervous system through the Nervus Vagus, the main nerve of our autonomic nervous system. The SSP sends signals of safety to this nerve. This allows the nervous system to return to the state of safety.

The Safe and Sound Protocol is derived from over 40 years of research into the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and social-emotional processes

What are the benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol?

The SSP can help with:

- Social engagement: the SSP can help people better connect with others.

- Emotional regulation: the SSP can help people better control their emotions and behavior.

- Learning: the SSP can help people make progress in learning and therapy.

- Focus: the SSP can help people focus on speech when there is background noise.

- Interpretation: the SSP can help people interpret the emotional meaning of language.

- Fight-or-flight response: the SSP can help the nervous system reduce the fight-or-flight response.

- Therapeutic outcomes: the SSP can help accelerate outcomes and improve therapeutic outcomes.

It can also help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and emotional deregulation.

The SSP consists of several parts, each with its own operation. You will receive detailed listening instructions so you know exactly how to best use the SSP.

What kind of programs are there?

The SSP has several programs, also called pathways.

Connect, this variant is designed to explore the different types of music first before beginning the therapeutic Core program.

Core, this is the real therapeutic program which is listened to according to a listening schedule.

Balance, this program can be listened to after completing Core. Balance helps in moments of stress and tension. This program is sometimes used temporarily for support.

What kinds of music are there?

Original, the first version of the SSP. This playlist contains Pop songs from the 70s and 80s.

Wonder, a playlist that includes Disney songs.

Classical, A playlist of classical music.

Freely, a playlist of ambient music

Because of these variations, there is always one that really suits you.

Therefore, many people really enjoy listening to the SSP. And immediately experience safety and relaxation while listening.

Before you start listening, you'll receive all the listening instructions you need from us. And an appropriate listening schedule. That way you know exactly how to listen and what is important to pay attention to. During or after listening, you can always contact us to ask questions. And to discuss your listening experiences. 

What are appropriate activities to do while listening to the SSP?

It is especially important to avoid strenuous activities. Therefore, walking is often not recommended because it can quickly become too strenuous.

It is best to sit while listening; lying down can cause you to fall asleep quickly because of the relaxing effect. If you do fall asleep, just listen to that part of the program again.

Some example activities include:

Watching nature movies on television with the sound off. Drawing, or magic sand. Magic sand stimulates your senses as you are aware of the sand sliding through your fingers. Meditation or some other form of mindfulness also fits nicely. Listening to the SSP together with a safe person can be very nice and enjoyable. And is always recommended whenever possible. 

What is not recommended to do during the SSP?

Activities that require a lot of effort. Examples include walking quickly, working, vacuuming or other household tasks. Eating and drinking. Talking a lot. Sitting on a screen, laptop, phone or tablet. Doing activities that you get stress or tension from.

What is an appropriate time to listen?

The easiest way is to do it at the same time every day so that you develop a routine. Try to pick a time when you have nothing to do and can't be disturbed. If you feel tense before you start to listening, do a relaxation exercise. You will get examples of these in the Polyvagal course that you get for free when you order the SSP.