Address the Trauma Underlying Addiction
Pioneered by Dr. Stephen Porges, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based and trauma-informed listening therapy that helps shift the nervous system to be more present and regulated while improving client capacity for connection and receptivity to other therapies.
- Non-invasive acoustic vagal nerve stimulator for the treatment of trauma, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms
- Repatterns the auditory and nervous systems for safety and connection
- Moves clients into a working zone where they can be more present, active and engaged with treatment
- Passive yet potent intervention; can provide a break from intensive 1:1 and group therapy while contributing to positive clinical outcomes and client satisfaction
- Designed for group, family, and individual therapy; in-person, remotely, or both
Learn more about this life-changing therapy used by Caron, Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, Khiron House and more below, or skip the scroll and speak with us about your unique organization.
There are few modalities out there that intervene at the brainstem level and can impact and support physiological shifts, and it is an incredibly efficient and effective way to move someone to a place where they’re able to receive connection and be in the here and now.
— Deirdre Stewart, LPC, SEP, BCN
Vice President of Trauma Resolution Services
Build Connections and Lasting Change with the Safe and Sound Protocol.
If clients aren’t progressing, or struggle to complete treatment, it may be because their nervous system is in a state of chronic defense.
The SSP interrupts and redirects this feedback loop, empowering your clinicians to serve their clients more effectively and efficiently.
For treatment centers, the SSP can serve as an integrative intervention that complements cognitive therapies and provides a respite from more intensive therapies.
How? Through algorithmically filtered music that is shown to regulate the nervous system.
Engage the vagus nerve through the neural network associated with listening.
Shift the nervous system into safety using the SSP’s algorithmically filtered music.
Administer therapy to a physiologically and psychologically available and receptive client.
For a summary overview to review or share with your colleagues, download
THE SCIENCE OF SAFETY: The Foundation of the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Empower Your Clinicians To Help As Many People As Possible,
As Efficiently As Possible.
As Efficiently As Possible.
Easily customizable to each client and their needs; use individually or co-regulate as a group.
On-demand, expert training from Dr. Stephen Porges, live clinical mentoring and advanced support.
Easy to functionally integrate with the Unyte-iLs mobile app and MyUnyte platform.
How Is The SSP Delivered?
The client experiences the SSP through over-the-ear headphones in clinic or remotely, conveniently connected to the Unyte-iLs app. The clinician manages client access and monitors listening on the MyUnyte Platform.
Many clinicians have noted results after one session, and after full program completion the ability to better regulate and connect as a result of physiologically retuning their nervous system toward safety.
Provider performs evaluation of client readiness to experience the SSP therapy.
Filtered music is delivered via headphones connected to a mobile device playing one of the SSP playlists.
Client listens while the provider observes, titrating in 15-50 minute increments based on response.
Client experiences 5 total hours in a series of sessions based on clinician’s therapeutic plan.
The Unyte-iLs App
Digital delivery of the Safe and Sound Protocol
The Unyte-iLs app allows you to easily deliver the SSP in clinic or remotely, enabling clients to access assigned programs and easily manage their listening directly from their Android or iOS phone or tablet.
MyUnyte Platform
Manage Clients & Programs Online
Easily set up each individual client’s program, manage, track and report on listening sessions, administer intake forms and assessments, and access a vast library of resources and training all from a central ‘hub.’
The SSP has Shown To Guide The Nervous System Into A Felt Sense Of Safety, Enhancing Outcomes.
“I would absolutely recommend the Safe and Sound Protocol to any clinician or anyone in the helping profession. There are few modalities out there that intervene at the brainstem level and can impact and support physiological shifts, and it is an incredibly efficient and effective way to move someone to a place where they’re able to receive connection and be in the here and now. …We have to do SSP with all [our] patients. It has to be done because it feels unethical not to do so.”
Deidre Stewart, LPC, SEP, BCN
Vice President of Trauma Resolution Services
The Meadows Behavioral Health
“Clients become more available and calm with increased capacity to participate in their therapeutic program. They become more adaptable and able to manage discomfort that is related to urges, compulsions and a feeling of urgency. Transitions become easier.
The client becomes more present, relational and able to work with traumatic content, without flooding or needing to defer to old patterns or maladaptive behaviors.”
Ana do Valle, OTR, SEP
Clinical Director and Founder
The Soma Healing Center
The SSP has Shown To Guide The Nervous System Into A Felt Sense Of Safety, Resulting In:
Greater Emotional Regulation
“My client is significantly more at ease and they are able to connect without getting overwhelmed.”
Increased Engagement and Devotion in Therapy
“My client seems to be much more present and they haven’t skipped a session in months!”
Improved therapeutic outcomes
“My client has improved leaps and bounds. They are connecting in a way I’ve never seen before.”
Efficacy of the SSP: The SSP is supported by a strong and growing base of clinical evidence.
Clinical Trials: Two sequential randomized controlled trials showed significant improvement sin autonomic nervous system regulation, including:
- increased auditory processing
- reduced auditory sensitivity
- improved emotional control
- vagal regulation of the heart
Want to dive deeper into the research?
Porges, et al (2014). Reducing auditory hypersensitivities in autistic spectrum disorder: preliminary findings evaluation the listening project protocol (SSP). Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2(30), 1-10. http://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2014.00080
Research in Development
- Jacek Kolacz, PhD, with Spenser Psychology
Adults with trauma in an outpatient, mental health setting - Dr. Katja Kovacic, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
Adolescents with Ehler Danlos Syndrome: GI, joint pain, incontinence - Steve Toll, ComForCare
Older adults with Parkinson’s Disease: facial affect, vocal prosody - Jacek Kolacz, PhD, and Les Aria, PhD
Adults with chronic back pain - Dr. Gunter Frank, Olympic Center in Heidelberg, Germany
Olympic athletes, measuring cortisol, HRV and muscle tension
What Our Providers Have to Say:
Watch as Deidre Stewart, Vice of President of Trauma Resolution Services at Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, shares her experience with the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Want to learn more? We’re here to help.
