SSP Considerations

Who?

Those with the following features might benefit from using the SSP:

• Social and emotional difficulties
• Auditory sensitivities
• Anxiety and trauma-related challenges
• Inattention
• Stressors that impact social engagement
• Difficulties in regulating physiological and emotional state

Why?

The SSP exercises the neural pathways associated with regulating behavioral state and social engagement.  These are aspects of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). And just as the brain is plastic and can change based on experience, the ANS is also plastic.  The SSP has been shown in peer-reviewed research to significantly increase vagal regulation of the heart. This has the effect of better control of state.

State is critical to how we approach the task at hand.  So when a client has better state control, not only can they be more socially engaged, they are more open to therapy.  Better state regulation improves therapeutic outcomes.

Regardless of diagnosis, clients have seen improvements in the features mentioned above. See our Clinical Results and Case Study pages for examples of the kinds of results you may see.

When?

Since the intervention involves one-hour sessions over five consecutive days, it requires careful scheduling on both your and your client’s part.  Other therapists who have already incorporated the SSP have found the following suggestions helpful:

• The intervention need not be administered at the same time every day.
• It can be sent home with clients 13 years old or younger to be administered by a parent or caregiver.
• The intervention can be administered on a hybrid basis with some sessions delivered in the clinic and some overseen by a parent or caregiver at home.
• Therapists who work with children have used school breaks to offer “SSP camp” and they clear their schedules for a week of back-to-back SSP administrations.
• Multiple therapists use the same SSP system in some clinics.  They “reserve” the SSP via a signup sheet for when they need it so it is getting maximum usage.

How?

The SSP is best used in combination with other therapies.

Changes from the SSP can be cumulative and will be enhanced by the social support the client receives and the learning opportunities they are presented with.  While you may notice some very positive changes while using the SSP, it is not meant to be used in isolation. The changes you see can potentiate neuroplasticity and functional change from subsequent therapy modalities.

Because of the short duration of the intervention, the SSP can be used flexibly in your practice.

With a new client: The changes in state regulation that often result from using the SSP make it an excellent way to start a relationship with a new client.

With an existing client: The improved outcomes of therapeutic modalities engaged in after the SSP also make it an effective intervention to use at any time.  Because the SSP can improve state regulation, you may find it worthwhile to insert when you have reached a plateau in your therapeutic process.

Regardless of diagnosis, clients have seen improvements in the features mentioned above. See our Clinical Results and Case Study pages for examples of the kinds of results you may see.

How much?

We want the Safe & Sound Protocol to work for your business.  We acknowledge there are many approaches to administering the SSP as well as many different pricing models.  If administered in the clinic by the therapist, many charge their regular in-clinic billing rate. Some also charge an additional fee for the program, and/or an evaluation fee. Also, when sending home to be overseen by a parent, some use our suggested retail price of $250 per client program.  That’s $50 for each of the five one-hour listening sessions. Feel free to devise your own pricing schedule based on how you choose to incorporate the SSP into your practice.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or (303) 741-4544.