“[The SSP] is a really practical way to be able to use this gift of music to help people manage a range of challenges and to be able to give other clinicians a tool they can help people with.”
— AZA Stephen Allsop, M.D., Ph.D.
This year, Unyte Health committed to increasing the accessibility and impact of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) with more diverse playlists. With that goal in mind, we are thrilled to be launching a brand-new SSP playlist this month, titled “Freely.” This ambient fusion playlist, composed by artist, neuroscientist, and psychiatrist AZA Stephen Allsop, marks our second venture into non-vocal offerings, following the success of last year’s SSP Classical Flow.
Everyone has unique connections to music. The SSP Freely playlist removes barriers that may be preventing your clients from listening to vocal music, while retaining the essential elements and original algorithms of the SSP. This offering empowers therapists and healthcare professionals to reach, access and engage:
- Clients with situational trauma, who may respond more favorably to instrumental content
- Clients who are non-English speaking
- Clients repeating the SSP, promoting interest through variety
With the introduction of SSP Freely, SSP Providers now have access to a total of five SSP playlists (including classical instrumental and popular music), each offered in three levels of filtration. This variety aims to support client engagement and participation in the listening process while allowing for customizable delivery for each client.
We’re excited about the positive impact you can make for your clients using SSP Freely, and are committed to providing even more new playlists throughout 2024. Every new playlist we introduce and all additional enhancements to the SSP are seamlessly integrated into your annual subscription at no additional cost.
Learn more about the benefits of an SSP subscription →
SSP Freely features original music composed by AZA Stephen Allsop, M.D., Ph.D.
AZA Stephen Allsop is an artist, neuroscientist, and psychiatrist who conducts research at the intersection of social cognition, music psychology, and psychedelics.
AZA studied biology, philosophy and jazz studies at North Carolina Central University. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School, Ph.D. in neuroscience from MIT, and was an Emerson Scholar at Berklee College of Music. He completed his residency in psychiatry at Yale University, and is currently an Assistant Professor in Yale’s Department of Psychiatry and Director of the Center for Collective Healing at Howard University.
With a shared vision for making therapeutic music more accessible, Unyte collaborated with AZA to compose this original playlist for the SSP, building upon his knowledge of how music can heal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the non-vocal playlist safe?
In Dr. Stephen Porges’ words, non-vocal playlists will “decrease risk, not increase it.” Non-vocal music will support accessibility, including international audiences and clients with situational trauma that leads to sensitivity to the lyrical content of the SSP playlist selections. SSP Freely maintains the same filtration (cues of safety delivered through music) as the original SSP playlists. We anticipate significant benefits for certain clients.
Will other types of music be available?
In addition to the existing SSP playlists featuring classical music, popular songs, and even Disney® favorites, Unyte Health has developed SSP Freely as part of our ongoing effort to increase the accessibility of the SSP. We will continue to develop this vision as we listen and learn from the release of SSP Freely.
Hear a Sample of the Music by AZA Stephen Allsop
Get a preview of Dr. Allsop’s original compositions, featured in these guided meditations.
Discover the Safe and Sound Protocol
Created by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a powerful listening therapy based on the science of Polyvagal Theory.
© 2024 Unyte Health US Inc.