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About the Provider
Name: Peter Mervielde
Disciplines/credentials: Manual therapist specialized in craniosacral therapy
Modalities: Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), craniosacral therapy
Client Background
Name: Maria (pseudonym)
Age and Gender: 75-year-old woman
Program Delivered: Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), craniosacral therapy
Maria had experienced deep depression for two to three years before seeing provider Peter Mervielde. She presented with an extreme tendency towards negative thinking, displaying a pessimistic outlook on life. She felt socially isolated and withdrawn from the outside world despite being previously sociable. Her lack of socialization stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, when she was unable to continue in-person administrative work. Years of isolation made Maria anxious about both the lack of socialization and the prospect of reaching out to others again.
In addition to her mental distress caused by negative thought patterns, she experienced several physical difficulties. She suffered from headaches and persistent bowel issues, including severe constipation. Additionally, she experienced significant weight loss from surgeries and a strict diet. Her health was another prominent source of stress for Maria, who worried about illness despite medical confirmation of good health and measurable improvements. She also worried about her partner’s physical health, as they had experienced severe health issues in the past.
Maria was caught in a cycle where mental and physical issues reinforced one another. Her anxiety and depression often triggered physical symptoms, such as constipation and headaches, which then exacerbated her anxiety.
Provider Peter decided to begin craniosacral therapy and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to help Maria break out of her cyclical anxiety and restore balance in her nervous system to improve her overall well-being.
Implementation of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Peter began each session with 20 to 30 minutes of craniosacral therapy followed immediately by 10 minutes of SSP. He repeated this in three-day intervals.
Response
After her first session, Maria noticed immediate improvement in her physical symptoms. She had improved peristalsis and bowel function, which was a significant relief for her. Those around Maria identified changes in her demeanor as well. Peter noted relaxation during the treatment, with increased energy and strength in her voice and posture. Her son-in-law perceived changes in her demeanor and mindset, indicating that she was able to break out of the negative thought spirals she had been burdened by.
As she continued treatment, Maria continued to improve. She felt less depressed than before, allowing her to try forming social bonds again. Her ability to regulate strengthened, which meant she had more coping skills for when she experienced bad days.
In the long term, Maria developed a routine again, which included daily exercises. These provided more autonomy in her physical and mental health. Minor fluctuations in her mood were no longer debilitating, with Maria being able to bounce back quickly.
Discussion
Maria’s provider, Peter, believes that the combination of therapeutic modalities was responsible for Maria’s improvement. He credits the craniosacral therapy for relieving Maria of her physical symptoms, while the SSP was more responsible for easing her mental struggles. He suggests that the “SSP strengthened mental and emotional balance, yielding quick and noticeable results.” For clients like Maria, combining modalities can help address multiple symptoms simultaneously, yielding the best possible results for the individual.
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