Safe and Sound Protocol for Anxiety
A Polyvagal-Informed Therapy for Anxiety and Nervous System Regulation
As a therapist committed to helping clients heal the roots of developmental and attachment trauma, I know how central the nervous system is to emotional well-being. That’s why I offer the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) as an add on to therapy. It's a powerful, evidence-based therapy that helps calm the body, reduce anxiety, and create the safety necessary for deeper therapeutic work.
I’m a Certified Safe and Sound Protocol Provider, trained to deliver this listening-based intervention in a way that’s gentle, attuned, and trauma-sensitive.
What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
The Safe and Sound Protocol is a music-based therapy grounded in polyvagal theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. It uses specially filtered music to stimulate the vagus nerve, the part of the autonomic nervous system responsible for helping us feel safe, connected, and at ease.
When our nervous system has been shaped by chronic stress, early trauma, or insecure attachment, it can stay in a state of fight, flight, or freeze—even when no real danger is present. SSP helps “retune” the nervous system, allowing it to shift out of survival mode and into a state of calm and connection.
How Does SSP Work?
The core of the SSP protocol is listening to music that has been filtered to emphasize the frequencies of the human voice—especially the prosodic, calming tones we associate with safety and social connection. This music is delivered through headphones, typically over 5 hours of listening, in short, carefully paced sessions.
SSP can be delivered in-person or remotely, and I tailor the experience to meet your unique nervous system needs. Some clients begin with SSP to create a more stable foundation before engaging in deeper trauma work. Others use it alongside EMDR or Internal Family Systems to enhance emotional regulation and resilience.
Who Can Benefit from SSP?
SSP is especially helpful for individuals who experience:
- Chronic anxiety or hypervigilance
- Emotional dysregulation
- Sensory sensitivities
- Social withdrawal or difficulty with connection
- Dissociation or shutdown responses
- Trauma-related symptoms
- Difficulty accessing calm or feeling safe in the body
By gently supporting the nervous system’s ability to feel safe, SSP lays the groundwork for greater emotional flexibility, improved relationships, and deeper therapeutic engagement.
A Polyvagal Approach to Healing
SSP is not about "fixing" you—it's about helping your nervous system remember what safety feels like. This can be especially important for people with developmental trauma or attachment wounds, where the earliest environments may not have provided consistent cues of safety or connection.
In my work, I use SSP as part of a holistic, trauma-informed approach. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, sensory overwhelm, or simply feel stuck in patterns of disconnection, SSP can be a gentle yet powerful step toward healing.
Interested in Trying SSP?
As a certified SSP provider, I offer a safe, guided experience that’s customized to your needs. If you’re curious about how SSP might support your healing journey, I’d be happy to talk with you and answer any questions.