The information presented in this case study was submitted by the identified provider and reviewed by the Unyte Clinical Team. Modifications to the text have been made solely for the purpose of enhancing comprehension and clarity for the reader’s benefit, and were carefully applied while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the original submission. Unyte Health makes every effort to use updated terms and inclusive language, this case study retains the author’s original descriptions to be most sensitive to the client’s identity and preferences.
About the Provider
Name: Martha Escamilla
Disciplines/credentials: Psychotherapist
Modalities: Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), EMDR, Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, hypnosis
Client Background
Name: Patricia (pseudonym)
Age and Gender: 53-year-old woman
Program Delivered: Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Core (Hours 1-5); Balance (Hours 3-5)
Patricia was struggling with multiple traumatic experiences when she reached out to her provider. She sought out therapy after the death of her cat, who passed away from kidney failure. Patricia expressed that this was “the most painful [loss] I had ever had” as she had attempted for months to save her cat’s life. She had been dealing with depression that stemmed from a variety of traumatic experiences, including a drawn-out legal battle with her former employer and the deaths of her partner and his son, who both died by suicide. Additional sources of stress included witnessing a bombing and multiple subsequent deaths, abandonment in her childhood, and exposure to domestic violence growing up.
Prior to seeking out SSP provider Martha Escamilla, Patricia had not left her house for 15 days. The death of her cat, in addition to the other stressors, left Patricia feeling depressed and hopeless.
Implementation of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Patricia chose to listen to the SSP independently, with Martha available for support over text. Right before her listening sessions, she did some stretching exercises. Afterward, she would do another calming activity, such as crocheting.
Response
Patricia’s improvement was noticeable immediately. After her first SSP listening session, she felt more awake. By day two, Patricia reported thinking less about her cat. On the third day, she dressed up and put makeup on. From there, she started looking for new jobs again and hanging out with friends. Patricia shared, “there were so many things I want to do before I die.” This was a great improvement from the suicidal ideations she had been experiencing just days before.
Prior to the SSP, Patricia scored 20 on the GAD-7 scale. After treatment, the score had reduced to 2, demonstrating incredible growth. Martha noted that Patricia no longer felt numb, moving out of the survival mode to which she had become accustomed.
During her treatment, Patricia preferred to be alone, fearing negative consequences of meeting new people. Following the SSP, Patricia shared that “the world seems a more friendly place.” According to Martha, this allowed Patricia to “feel more connected, to see the big picture and reach out for support.”
Discussion
Patricia did not anticipate that the SSP would have as great of an impact as it did. In a testimony, she expressed that she was unwilling to participate in talk therapy. She stated, “the last thing I wanted to do was to sit down and talk to a psychologist and tell them about my life.” Patricia believed that talk therapy would be ineffective, only serving to prolong her pain. She agreed to participate in the SSP as “it was something easy for me because I like music.”
After just one hour of listening, she noticed immediate improvement. She said, “the next day, getting up was not difficult for me,” a stark contrast from how she had been feeling. Before, “taking care of myself: eating, getting up and bathing were things that I literally… could not do, my soul did not have the strength to do them.” With each listening session, Patricia found herself able to accomplish many more tasks than before. “Day after day, I felt like doing activities that were normal for many but that for me were unthinkable. I can’t say that I don’t feel a great pain in my heart but my progress has been surprising.”
Martha was “very surprised” and said, “I never imagined Patricia would have such a big improvement in only five days.” Martha added that she had started other clients with shorter listening sessions but found success with the longer increments given to Patricia.
“Depression is one of the deadliest diseases on the planet,” Martha said. “I am very grateful that I was able to offer [the SSP] and that she is alive today.” In her testimonial, Patricia expressed a similar sentiment, stating “I still feel astonished and I wonder how ‘some music’ changed my inner self and gave me hope again. I would not hesitate to recommend this protocol to anyone who, like me, is going through these times. I wrote this testimony because I want people who are struggling… to know that there is hope!”
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