Foundational Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) Training

Stephen Porges, Ph.D., Unyte’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Author of PVT, and Creator of SSP 

Stephen W. Porges, Ph.D., is a Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he is the founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute. He is the author of the Polyvagal Theory, a theory that emphasizes the importance of physiological state in the expression of behavioral, mental and health problems. Based on this theory, Dr. Porges created the Safe and Sound Protocol™, now used by thousands of therapists around the globe.

Deb Dana, LCSW, Author, and Unyte Advisor

Deb Dana, LCSW, is a clinician, consultant, author and speaker specializing in complex trauma. Deb’s work shows how an understanding of Polyvagal Theory applies to relationships, mental health and trauma, and how we can use an understanding of the organizing principles of Polyvagal Theory to change the ways we navigate our daily lives.

Kim Barthel, OTR/L, C/NDT

Kim Barthel is an award-winning Occupational Therapist, multi-disciplinary teacher and best-selling author who is active in supporting people in many contexts internationally. Kim is passionate about understanding complex behavior, neurobiology, trauma-sensitive practice, attachment, sensory processing, mental health, leadership and learning. 

Alison Ward, Coach

Alison Ward is an ICF PCC-certified coach based in Cape Town, South Africa, working with clients across European, UK, and African time zones. She specialises in helping individuals build resilience, overcome anxiety, and prevent burnout. Alison incorporates evidence-based methods, including the Safe and Sound Protocol and Rest and Restore Protocol, to support clients in understanding and changing how their bodies respond to stress. With a background in sports journalism and personal experience supporting a loved one through chronic fatigue recovery, Alison takes a compassionate and practical approach to helping clients adapt and thrive.

Laura Moorehead, CST, SEP, Somatic EMDR Practitioner

Laura Moorehead, CST-D, SEP, has been a somatic therapist for 30 years. Her practice is rooted in a gentle, compassionate inquiry into the nervous system and the joyful freedom that can be experienced as we release old trauma patterns from the body. The foundation of her work is in Peter Levine’s Somatic Experiencing and Somatic EMDR, as well as her background in advanced CranioSacral Therapy and SomatoEmotional Release. She has provided the Safe and Sound Protocol to hundreds of adults and children since 2019 and more recently the Rest and Restore Protocol. She is a Unyte recognized mentor for new providers, was part of the clinical testing group for RRP as well as a contributing author to the manual for integrating SSP and Somatic Experiencing and works over Zoom with people all over the world. 

She offers individual experiences of RRP and SSP as well as groups and is happy to answer any questions.

Allison Hunt, OTR, RYT

Allison Hunt, OTR/L, is a pediatric occupational therapist based in the Seattle area, currently working at a private therapy clinic. With experience in both the U.S. and Australia, she brings a global perspective to her sensory integration informed, relational, play-based approach. Since the beginning of her career, she has integrated sound-based programs as a core part of intervention, supporting regulation, connection, and nervous system development. The Safe & Sound Protocol and Rest & Restore Protocol continue to be pivotal in her clients’ progress and thriving.

Laurie Belanger, LCSW, Approved EMDR Consultant

Laurie M Belanger LCSWR is a Clinical Social Worker & Trauma Therapist providing  services to children, adults, and families.  With over 20 years of practice, Laurie has developed a strong background in trauma, sensory development, chronic pain, adoption, mental health and neurodiversity. She is an approved EMDR Consultant through EMDRIA, and was professionally trained in TBRI®️ (Trust Based Relational Interventions). Laurie has been using the SSP for multiple years in private practice, integrating this valuable aid into the core of  how she provides EMDR Therapy and other trauma modalities. Dedicated to providing cross discipline education to the community, she enjoys providing both Experiential SSP Mentorship to colleagues as well as SSP Coaching Mentorship focused on practical & clinical  integration. 

Amy Bjorkman, Ph.D., SEP

Dr. Amy Bjorkman is a Licensed Psychologist with over 20 years of experience and the founder of Mind Body Healing Collective in Scottsdale, AZ. She specializes in trauma, anxiety, and depression, working from a somatic lens as a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and breathwork facilitator. Dr. Bjorkman integrates body-based tools like the Safe and Sound Protocol and the Rest and Restore Protocol to support nervous system regulation and whole-body healing. Her approach blends compassion, science, and deep body awareness to help clients restore safety, connection, and emotional resilience through personalized, trauma-informed care.

Liz Charles, M.D.

As a UK-based medical doctor, I was an early adopter of SSP and now specialise in delivering SSP online to adult clients worldwide, particularly those navigating complex trauma and chronic illness. I have a special interest in Parkinson’s disease and have witnessed remarkable transformations using micro-titration of SSP.

Since 2019, I have been an active supporter of the SSP community and was an inaugural member of the Clinical Advisory Board for Unyte. I share my Sensitive Approach: Client at the Core™ through online training and mentorship to help SSP providers build confidence and develop skills to enhance their client work.

Ana do Valle, OTR, SEP, Anthroposophical Counseling

Lorraine O’Mullane, CI Practitioner, NLP, Clinical and Cognitive Hypnotherapist, Havening

Andrew Lovell, RCST, SEP, Dip Couns

Andrew is a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor – Specialist in children and young people, a Somatic Experience Practitioner, a Cranio Sacral Therapist, a Men’s Group Facilitator, a SSP & RRP licensed provider, Sound Therapist and Civil Celebrant. Andrew has a private practice in the North East of England. His youngest client currently is two weeks old, his oldest is ninety six. Titrated, trauma release is the intention of Andrews work for all of his clients. As one half of the wellness project “AjoiA” and personally.

Marta Bakker, Ph.D.

Psychologist with a Ph.D. in psychology, therapist, and certified Brainspotting practitioner. Board member and trainer of the Polyvagal Institute in Poland, a partner of PVI USA, Unyte mentor, and contributor to research on Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Experienced in working with individuals, families, and groups, with a strong focus on nervous system regulation, trauma-informed care, and Polyvagal Theory. Her approach integrates scientific knowledge with a holistic and compassionate perspective. She is dedicated to supporting both healing and learning, helping clients and professionals through safe, attuned relationships.

Autum Romano, CMNT, LMT, RM, CST

autum romano is an educator, author, parent coach, and bodyworker passionate about nervous system regulation for whole health. With over 28 years in the field and 28,000 massages given, she is certified in Neuromuscular Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Reiki, and Trauma-Informed Care. She co-authored Body Wisdom and the Polyvagal Theory with her son to make Polyvagal Theory accessible to all audiences- including pre readers. She also collaborated on a case study with Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko for Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing.

Meg Lewis, LMHC, ATR-BC

Meg Lewis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Registered and Board Certified Art Therapist. She earned a Master’s of Science degree in Art Therapy from Nazareth College of Rochester and a BFA from Ohio Northern University. She holds additional certifications as a Trauma Informed Expressive Arts Therapist (EXAT) and Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) provider. Other therapeutic modalities include Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Ego State Therapy, DBT and Polyvagal Informed Psychotherapy.

Meg resides in Bloomington, IN where she practices at Spencer Psychology specializing in complex trauma cases utilizing somatosensory interventions to provide insight and regulation skills.

Carol Ann Brayley, MSW, RSW, SEP

Carol Ann Brayley, MSW, RSW, SEP is an internationally recognized expert in delivering the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to highly sensitive and complex clients. Known as “SSP Yoda,” she blends deep clinical wisdom with finely tuned intuition to gently guide each nervous system toward healing. As a Unyte mentor, she teaches providers to do the same—offering advanced SSP training, group and individual consultations, and Brainspotting to clear internal barriers to success. She also supports providers in building aligned, sustainable practices. Carol Ann is known for her grounded presence, heartfelt guidance, and the clarity she brings when things feel confusing.

Michael Allison, Coach

Carrie Strauch, OTR

Paula Scatoloni, LCSW, SEP

Paula Scatoloni, LCSW, SEP is the founder of Transformative Harmonics™, a global community and program that integrates over 30 years of combined experience and training into their integrative sound-based experiences. Paula mentors and teaches providers who are interested in blending Interpersonal Psychology, Somatics, Transpersonal Psychology, and Sound along with ancient wisdom to facilitate powerful and transformative experiences for individuals and groups. Providers can engage in her program to learn how to guide groups in inner journeying with sound or spend time in an immersive mentorship to explore modern sound technology (Dr. Porges, Safe and Sound/Rest and Restore/Biolateral Beats), somatic tracking, to deeper explorations of consciousness. Paula has supervised and mentored providers since 1999 and has taught at institutions such as Duke University. She has been using modern sound technology in her groups since 2019. Paula is the co-creator of The Embodied Recovery Institute and her work is featured in various publications including the book, Safe and Sound. Paula’s sound-based journeys, available for groups and individuals, are designed to harness the transformative power of sound to ignite the body’s innate self-healing potential.

Cindy Dawkins, OTR

Cindy has been an Occupational Therapist for over 40 years, with the past 25 years dedicated to serving pediatric populations. Since 2012, she has worked with Unyte as a trainer for the Focus program, supporting the delivery of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and the Rest and  Restore Program (RRP) through home coaching and remote services from their inception. Cindy also mentors practitioners and organizations in implementing the Focus System, SSP, and RRP. She has a special interest in collaborating closely with families to create successful, supportive experiences using these programs within the home environment.

Paulina Makowska, M.A., LMT, DMT, CMT

Doreen Hunt, MA, OTR

Doreen is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with over 35 years of experience working with children with special needs and their families. With advanced training in Sensory Integration, she specializes in subcortical and foundational neurological processing to support function, independence and happiness. Her work spans NICU, early intervention, schools, and private practice. A passionate advocate for sound therapy, Doreen has trained clinicians in Integrated Listening Systems, served on the SSP Clinical Advisory Board, and has integrated RRP with clients as young as 2.5 months old. She is currently co-owner of a premier pediatric therapy clinic in the Pacific Northwest as well as a mentor to many in the use of these sound tools.

Rebecca Bailey, Ph.D.

Dr. Rebecca Bailey is a leading trauma therapist with over 30 years of experience working with individuals and families in complex situations. She believes that authenticity, common sense, and kindness are the foundation of effective treatment. A lifelong equestrian, Dr. Bailey incorporates horses into her work to support healing through curiosity and connection. She is the author of Safe Kids: Smart Parents and Equine Connections, Polyvagal Principles, co-written with Margie McDonald and Jaycee Dugard, and has co-authored peer-reviewed articles on abduction, high-conflict families, and appeasement as a survival strategy in collaboration with Dr. Stephen Porges.

Ellie Olson, OTR/L

Samar Singh, Ph.D.

Dr. Samar Singh – an independent researcher specializing in Heart Rate Variability, Polyvagal Theory, and Respiratory Profiling creates remote public health systems for underserved populations. During his academic career at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (1972-1997), and subsequently, he has served as a consultant to international organizations, UN agencies, private companies and the Commonwealth Secretariat. His work spans education, public health, and technology, establishing two schools in Bangalore, projects on the Rights of the Child Convention in India/South East Asia. Currently he develops non-invasive mechanisms for monitoring mental and physiological health, to advance global health through zero cost methods.

Heather Macduffie, MSW, Ph.D.

Heather is currently working as an Autonomic Coach, having pivoted from a long clinical social work practice specializing in complex trauma. Following the promise of polyvagal practices to soothe chronic vigilance, she is devoted to cutting edge learning and application for the provision of relief and improvement of health.

Sharon Stultz, M.A., M.Ed., LMHCA, EdSp

Jayne Cox, Coach

EMCC accredited Coach, Jayne Cox developed her practice, Breathing Space, with the sole purpose of compassionately supporting individuals to regulation and resilience through a unique, trauma-informed approach. With extensive experience delivering the SSP and working in a nervous system and polyvagal theory focussed way, she has developed a ‘lite’ version of delivery for the SSP and now the RRP. This ensures a slow, safe, and carefully titrated experience. Her method emphasises felt safety, co-regulation, and attunement while integrating psychoeducation to enhance self-compassion and understanding. Working with clients online throughout the UK, she is passionate about guiding clients on a transformative journey breathingspacewellness.uk

Shelly Melroe, M.S., M.A., LMFT

Shelly Melroe is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Minnesota, U.S. She provides trauma therapy to individuals, couples, families, and groups as well as workshops and executive coaching for businesses. Since becoming a certified provider of SSP in 2019, she has conducted it in-person and remotely with hundreds of clients. She was an active collaborator through the pilot phases of the RRP, now using the SSP and RRP synergistically. It is her passion to integrate modalities (IFS, ISP, PVT, EMDR, human development, family systems)  to facilitate restoration and growth through Dynamic Human Intelligence ™ so people can flourish.

Jill Hosey, MSW, RSW, LICSW

Jill Hosey, MSW RSW LICSW, is a trauma therapist, consultant and educator, working across the lifespan in the areas of complex trauma, attachment and dissociation. She is an Alumni member of Unyte’s Clinical Advisory Board, co-author of the SSP and EMDR Combined Delivery Guidelines, and co-editor and co-author of The Handbook of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children: Theory, Research and Clinical Applications (Gomez & Hosey, Eds., 2025, Routledge). Jill is an EMDR Consultant and Trainer, Faculty with the AGATE Institute and ISSTD’s Center for Advanced Studies, and a Fellow of the ISSTD.

Sonja Heinrich

Joanne McIntyre, Ph.D. Candidate, MS (Psych), OT.

Susanna Sjoberg

Kate Appleton, LPC, SEP, TEB

Tracy Stackhouse, M.A., OTR

Tracy Murnan Stackhouse, MA, OTR, is a pediatric occupational therapist and co-founder of Developmental FX (DFX) in Denver, Colorado. An OT for 40 years, she specializes in Fragile X Syndrome, sensory integration, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Tracy holds a Master’s in Developmental Psychology/Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience and has contributed to research, training, and clinical practice. She is on the training faculty for the Polyvagal Institute and a longstanding member of the Scientific and Clinical Advisory Committee of the National Fragile X Foundation. Tracy co-developed the SpIRiT and STEPPSI clinical reasoning tools. Passionate about advancing best practices through clinical reasoning and translating neuroscience into practice, Tracy provides mentorship and education through DFX’s Learning Journeys and the Spirited Conversations Podcast.

Katie McClain, SEP, TIST , SSP/RRP

I share 30+ years of experience, wisdom, and deep care for my clients. I offer collaboration and education to support your unique journey. My style includes deep attunement, intuition, and acceptance for all. I participated in the creation of the Combined Delivery Guidelines for SE and SSP. Advanced experience includes Somatic Experiencing (SE), Somatic Touch Skills, SSP, TIST-Parts Work, and RRP. I’m a Unyte approved Mentor and assist regularly at advanced SE and Somatic Touch trainings. In person sessions in Pasadena, CA or via Zoom. Learn more at www.katiemcclain.com.

Deirdre Stewart, LPC, SEP, BCN

Irena Woodward

Irena is an Occupational Therapist and the Clinical Director at Family Connections Sydney, Australia. With over 20 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and adults, Irena works with clients with a wide range of diagnoses, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, FND and complex trauma conditions. She is passionate about combining Sensory Integration, Polyvagal Theory, neurodevelopmental and relationship-based approaches in her practice.

Irena has incorporated Unyte products including Total Focus in her clinic since 2009 and has widely used the Safe and Sound Protocol since its introduction and was honoured to be involved in the Rest and Restore paediatric working group. Irena is continually widening her knowledge through studies and collaborations with other clinicians. She hopes for greater understanding and incorporation of the Polyvagal Theory in the mainstream therapeutic and educational settings.