Share the story of healing — one nervous system at a time: Q&A with Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko

The power of healing is often found in connection, especially within a broader community of providers, practitioners and the clients they support. Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing is more than a book; it’s a reflection of the shared experiences and insights from professionals who have integrated the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) as an essential part of their healing toolkit. Their stories and experiences highlight the profound impact of nervous system regulation, offering both inspiration and practical guidance.

Ahead of the book’s upcoming release, Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko join us for a Q&A, offering insights into the heart of their work. Safe and Sound blends the science of Polyvagal Theory with real-world transformations, illuminating the experiences of both clinicians and clients.

In this exclusive Q&A, the authors share what inspired them to write Safe and Sound, how they selected the case stories featured in the book, and why its message is more relevant than ever. Whether you’re a clinician, therapist, or simply curious about nervous system regulation, their insights offer valuable takeaways on the role of the autonomic nervous system in shaping our experiences.

Read on for their reflections — and if you’re eager to bring the SSP into your practice, don’t miss our special promotion available now.

Who do you recommend this new book for?

We wrote this book for anyone curious about the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and how their biobehavioral state shapes their sensations, thoughts, emotions, and perception of the world around them. We expect it will resonate with mental health professionals, occupational therapists, medical professionals, educators, and others interested in how Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) can help repattern the nervous system, build resilience, and foster greater equanimity, joy, and connection.

At the same time, many lay readers will find value in understanding this often underlooked part of ourselves — one that may, in many ways, be “driving the bus.” Early readers have shared that they recognize themselves and their loved ones in the book’s stories and insights. We hope it provides both hope and access to an effective body-based therapy that can be truly life-changing.

Was there a pivotal moment when you realized you wanted to write this book? How long did it take to complete?

Yes. When SSP was released in March of 2017, the early stories that poured in were incredibly inspiring. In those first few months, we knew we wanted to do something with them someday. Case studies are, after all, the foundation of research. Integrated Listening Systems (iLs), and now Unyte, have done a wonderful job of collecting and sharing diverse case studies that offer both learning and inspiration.

We signed our book contract in December 2022 and submitted the manuscript in May of 2024. Of course, delivering a manuscript isn’t the end of the process — there were still plenty of details to refine — but the bulk of the book was written over a year and a half.

What was the process like for collecting the case stories featured in the book?

With over 200,000 clients having experienced SSP, each with their own unique story, selecting which cases to feature was like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. We aimed to showcase the broad possibilities that emerge when a person’s nervous system shifts from defensiveness to greater balance and flexibility. We chose cases that highlight SSP’s versatility while also ensuring they were realistic — acknowledging that change takes time and healing often comes with twists and turns.

Why is this topic especially relevant today?

Many people are experiencing heightened dysregulation due to global political shifts, the lasting impact of the pandemic, climate change, rising loneliness, and worsening mental health, especially among children. For years, SSP remained hidden in plain sight, available only through Dr. Porges’ research laboratory. Now, eight years after its wider release, its reach and impact continue to grow. This book comes at a crucial time, offering a deeper understanding of how SSP can support nervous system regulation and well-being in an increasingly challenging world.

What do you hope this book will accomplish for readers?

We hope the book highlights the autonomic nervous system (ANS) as the foundation of our lives and experiences. Understanding how the ANS influences physical and mental health can be both validating and hopeful — it shifts the focus from blame to biology, showing that struggles aren’t personal failings but nervous system states. We also want readers to feel empowered with practical tools and insights that help them support their own regulation and the well-being of those around them. Ultimately, we hope this book fosters greater connection, meaningful change, and broader access to effective body-based therapies like SSP.

Dr. Porges, for those who read Our Polyvagal World or your other books, are there new learnings from Polyvagal Theory that readers can expect to take away from this new book?

My recent book, Our Polyvagal World, co-authored with my son, journalist Seth Porges, focused on translating the scientific principles of Polyvagal Theory into accessible language, making complex concepts more approachable. In contrast, Karen Onderko and I took a different approach in our new book. We explore the personal experiences of both therapists and clients in applying the theory through SSP. Readers will gain insight into how Polyvagal Theory explains clinical symptoms and how skilled, intuitive therapists use SSP to help clients’ nervous systems shift from states of defense to resilience, co-regulation, and a felt sense of safety, fostering personal acceptance.

What advice would you give providers who are new to SSP as they start their journey?

All healing begins with safety. To effectively support clients, you must first understand your own nervous system. While the goal isn’t to stay in a connected ventral vagal state at all times, being grounded in ventral when working with clients is essential. Caring for your own nervous system health isn’t just beneficial — it’s necessary. We strongly encourage experiencing SSP for yourself with the support of a present other. This not only models the process but also strengthens your own nervous system’s balance and flexibility, enhancing your ability to co-regulate and support others effectively.