What is Safe and Sound?
The Safe and Sound Protocol is a non-invasive therapeutic program, which utilizes sound in a practical application of Polyvagal Theory. Polyvagal Theory is a theory developed by Dr. Steven Porges, and provides insights into the ways in which our nervous system interacts with external stimuli of those around us, such as their vocal tones and facial expressions. The Safe and Sound Protocol is designed to create a sense of calm and safety in the presence of these stimuli, and has been shown to produce significant improvements in emotional control, behavioral organization, and hearing sensitivity and listening. It has been notably studied, with positive results, in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and in cases of trauma, as a tool to assist in addition to traditional talk therapy. This program can be utilized by both children and most adults, but does require a short assessment with a Safe and Sound Protocol practitioner before beginning. To read more about how the Safe and Sound Protocol is helping clients click here.
The SSP is a 5-10 day sound-based intervention (using headphones) that has been found to calm physiological and emotional states. It was designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity and enhance social engagement and resilience by stimulating nervous system regulation through filtered music (i.e., a range of frequencies that exercise and systematically challenge the middle ear muscles). The music is computer altered vocal music (i.e. filtered music) designed to exaggerate the features of human prosody and hypothetically to exercise the neural regulation of the middle ear muscles. The specially adapted music uses the auditory pathway as an access point to the neural network and is intended to help people extract human voice from background noise and, as a result, better regulate the autonomic nervous system and all its many functions.
The SSP is a 5-10 day sound-based intervention (using headphones) that has been found to calm physiological and emotional states. It was designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity and enhance social engagement and resilience by stimulating nervous system regulation through filtered music (i.e., a range of frequencies that exercise and systematically challenge the middle ear muscles). The music is computer altered vocal music (i.e. filtered music) designed to exaggerate the features of human prosody and hypothetically to exercise the neural regulation of the middle ear muscles. The specially adapted music uses the auditory pathway as an access point to the neural network and is intended to help people extract human voice from background noise and, as a result, better regulate the autonomic nervous system and all its many functions.
What's The Process?
Anchored in Hope Counseling LLC currently offers the Safe and Sound Protocol as a four-part process which can last up to two months, depending on the needs and comfortable pace of each client. Each part of the process involves a listening therapy done for 5 or more consecutive days, for 30 minutes to an hour, depending on what phase of the SSP process you are currently in. You can view a short video about how this program works, by clicking here.
The SSP Program that Anchored In Hope offers consists of three phases:
The SSP Program can be accessed by current clients at Anchored In Hope as a part of their current counseling, as a tool to access deep areas of the brain often un-accessible by traditional therapy alone. If a current client decides they would like to undertake the program, a portion of their current session can be spent doing SSP and they will continue the listening sessions at home in between appointments.
The SSP Program can also be accessed by individuals who are not current clients at Anchored In Hope and who do not want to make the SSP Program part of regular counseling sessions at AIH. Non-clients will work with a SSP practitioner, who will guide them through the program, which besides the initial intake process, will be done completely at-home by the individual. The check ins and guidance of the SSP practitioner during the program does not play the same role as a personal counselor. It is advised that each participant have access to or be currently seeing their own counselor during this time.
The SSP Program that Anchored In Hope offers consists of three phases:
- Connect – 30 minutes a day for 5 consecutive days
- Core – 30 minutes a day for 5 consecutive days, directly after Connect.
- Balance – As advised by your SSP Practitioner
The SSP Program can be accessed by current clients at Anchored In Hope as a part of their current counseling, as a tool to access deep areas of the brain often un-accessible by traditional therapy alone. If a current client decides they would like to undertake the program, a portion of their current session can be spent doing SSP and they will continue the listening sessions at home in between appointments.
The SSP Program can also be accessed by individuals who are not current clients at Anchored In Hope and who do not want to make the SSP Program part of regular counseling sessions at AIH. Non-clients will work with a SSP practitioner, who will guide them through the program, which besides the initial intake process, will be done completely at-home by the individual. The check ins and guidance of the SSP practitioner during the program does not play the same role as a personal counselor. It is advised that each participant have access to or be currently seeing their own counselor during this time.
What's The Cost?
For established therapy clients, the cost for SSP is $350.00. This rate includes an initial intake session and access to all three SSP tools- Connect, Core, and Balance. This allows up to 2 full months of access to the program to go at the pace that works best for you.
The cost for the SSP Program for Non-Clients is $500.00 for full access to the 3-part SSP program for two months under the guidance of a personal SSP practitioner. The program cost is not covered by insurance.
The cost for the SSP Program for Non-Clients is $500.00 for full access to the 3-part SSP program for two months under the guidance of a personal SSP practitioner. The program cost is not covered by insurance.
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What’s The Science Behind SSP?
The SAFE AND SOUND Protocol resets the middle ear to the detect the range of frequencies that mammals use for social engagement, which are at a higher frequency band than that which animals utilize for threat monitoring (imagine the sound of a running predator). Resetting the ear to increase sensitivity to these social engagement frequencies concurrently resets our foundational neurology away from protective vigilance. We experience this vigilance in a myriad of ways that, at their core, are related to an ongoing feeling of being unsafe, and which express as reactive anxiety and/or anger. To access more information about the science and research data behind Safe and Sound click here.
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Resources For Current Safe and Sound Clients |
