Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) helps improve insomnia in client within five days

About the Provider

Name: V Patenaude
Discipline/Credentials: Speech Language Pathologist, CCC-SLP, MS
Modalities: Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), Myofunctional therapy, Speech Therapy

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Client Background

Name: Abraham (pseudonym)
Age and Gender: 62-year-old man
Program Delivered: Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Core (Hours 1-5) 

Abraham presents with insomnia, stress and anxiety. Over the past several months, his insomnia has worsened and he is only able to sleep between 6pm to 10pm, being up for the rest of the night. He was being followed medically by his primary care provider (PCP) and taking anti-anxiety medications but they did not help with his sleep. He attributes both his insomnia and anxiety to work-related stress. 

Abraham is close to retirement, and lives with his wife. He had experienced work-related stress for many years but in recent months the demands were even higher, resulting in insomnia. This resulted in even more stress and anxiety due to exhaustion and concerns around not being able to sleep. It was negatively impacting his functioning both at work and at home. 

Abraham knew therapist V personally and was eager to try anything that could ease his anxiety and insomnia.

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Implementation of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) 

The SSP was delivered in-person, one hour per day for five consecutive days.

Response 

Beginning the first night, Abraham was able to sleep for a longer portion of the night. V reports “He didn’t want to be too eager that the SSP had worked in one day, so he attributed it to chance. However, as of the second night, he was able to sleep until 5am, which was an absolutely huge success, and he was so thrilled.”

This resulted in more meaningful interactions with his family, and although his work stress continued, he became more functional.

Discussion

The SSP was possible for Abraham because it didn’t interfere with any of the medications that he already takes. Like many people, he was wary of trying any supplements that may negatively interfere with their prescribed medications. V believes that the nature of the intervention itself is what allowed Abraham to try it out and experience great results.