Safe and Sound Protocol
(SSP)

What is SSP?

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a non-invasive therapeutic listening tool which helps regulate the listener’s autonomic nervous system. This is a bottom up approach which can help assist the listener to achieve a sense of safety. 

This sense of safety allows the individual to be ready for connection, support emotional regulation and build resilience. 

This therapy applies the principles of Dr. Stephen’s Porges Polyvagal theory. 

SSP delivered by an Occupational Therapist.

A regulated nervous system is more capable of:

• Resilience

• Feeling safe and grounded

• Problem solving and thinking logically

• Connecting with others

The Safe and Sound Protocol is implemented with 5 hours of listening in total.

The listening is facilitated by a trained clinician. The listening can occur in our clinic or at your home. The delivery of the SSP is adapted to suit the listener’s nervous system needs to achieve the best outcome.

Those who may benefit from SSP: 

• Depression 

• Anxiety 

• ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)

• Chronic pain or conditions 

• Difficulty sleeping 

• Trauma history 

• Sensory sensitivities 

How is it delivered: 

5 hours of listening in total delivered typically in 1 hour blocks over 5 days. The delivery of the SSP is adapted to suit the client’s nervous system needs. The listener will have a ‘safe’ person with them to provide them with cues of safety during the listening. The SSP clinician can be the ‘safe’ person if the individual feels comfortable. 

What can I expect: 

During the listening, you can complete quiet activities that do not involve a screen e.g reading, colouring, painting, sensory activities. So the individual can focus on the music, no talking is advised during the listening. 

Listening to music for an hour using over-ear headphones. YO-T can provide headphones to use however if clients have suitable headphones they are welcome to use these. 

What sort of music is it: 

There are a variety of different playlists to choose from, these vary between genres you might hear on the radio, disney songs, classical music and percussion based music. 

Process: 

• Intake form and completing pre outcome measure 

• Education on Nervous System, body awareness and SSP process 

• 5 hours of listening (typically Monday-Friday in a week) 

• Post-outcome measure (4 weeks) post listening
  

Who can complete this: 

Any age - your SSP clinician will assess whether it is the right time for you to complete this protocol
 

Precautions: 

SSP is not appropriate for clients who: 

• Are experiencing active psychosis 

• Active or uncontrolled seizures 

• Actively experiencing tinnitus (ringing in the ear) 

• Demonstrating intentional self-harm or actively reporting thoughts of suicide 

  SP may not be suitable to complete with clients who: 

• Have modular disorders (Bipolar, BPD, dissociative disorders and developmental trauma - Conditions related to structure of the ear 

• Medical complexity (autoimmune, neurological and chronic conditions) - Psychosis; antipsychotic medication or recent hospitalizations 

• Seizures 

• Severe hearing sensitivity 

• Are currently self-harming