What does SSP music sound like?
SSP Core offers 3 different playlist.
They are:
Adult - which is a mix of rock, pop and country.
Child - which has music intended to appeal to children. The songs are from Disney and similar.
Classical Flow - which is classical music.
The filtering is the same on all three playlists so they can be used by anyone of any age.
The different pathways are mainly to appeal to different preferences.
What equipment/headphones do I need to do SSP?
1. A device in which you can access the SSP application. - Smartphones (either iPhone or Android) -
- Tablets (either Apple or Android) -
- Newer MacBook (must have the M1 chip) -
- Chromebook -
2. Headphones that are compatible with your chosen device.
Over the ear, with the big padded ear cups that completely surround the ears
They either do not have noise cancellation, or that feature can be turned off
Not bass enhanced
Either Bluetooth or wired
**Earbuds are not recommended for SSP**
How long will it take me to complete SSP listening? How long are listening sessions typically?
The current maximum recommended length of listening session is up to 30 minutes per day.
Many people can do quite well with that for some or all of SSP but most people will benefit from taking some days off during the process.
Some people may need listenings sessions that are much shorter than that, in order to keep the process gentle and to have best possible improvements.
For people who are sensitive to SSP, their listening sessions may for some parts of the process be measured in seconds rather than minutes. During other parts of the process they are likely to be able to listen at a pace that is significantly faster than that, though it may still be slower than what it might be for someone else.
Some people can complete SSP Core safely and gently within 2-3 weeks.
Most people can complete SSP safely and gently within 2-3 months.
Many more sensitive or medically complex people may need several months to complete one round of SSP Core.
Is it okay to do SSP at the same time as neurofeedback (or EMDR, Brainspotting, HemiSync, etc...)?
SSP Core is quite neurologically intensive. When neurological systems tend to shut down rather than process new information when they become overwhelmed. For this reason, generally speaking when doing SSP Core, we do not combine it with other approaches.
Occasionally there can be some possible exceptions to this, particularly when someone is going through SSP quite slowly.
How do I choose the right time to do SSP?
Before starting SSP we always suggest to people that they look at their upcoming schedule for themselves/their child and their family members.
If there are "big" events coming up that may be stressful or it's really important to be "on" for, like a big presentation at work, exam periods, an expensive vacation - unless possibly it's a very relaxed beach vacation or similar - then it may be better to wait until those events have passed.
Ideally we prefer to find a time when it may be possible to have moments to rest, relax and integrate if needed, and when people around the intended SSP client may feel more able to "hold space" for them and be patient, etc... if any dysregulation were to show up.
This does not have to be perfect - kids can do quite well doing SSP during the school year, for example though if say summer break or Christmas or spring break are approaching soon, sometimes that is an ideal time.
Another thing to check the upcoming schedule for is upcoming dental work. Although things like cleanings and regular dental checkups are totally fine, we avoid doing SSP right before invasive dental procedures such as a root canal or dental implants.
Similarly, we would avoid doing SSP shortly before a surgery or other invasive medical procedure.
What can I/my child do while listening to SSP?
During SSP we ideally would like as much of the focus to be upon actively listening to the music, if possible, rather than just passively hearing it.
For this reason we avoid things like reading, writing or using screens while listening to SSP - other than for online sessions listening to SSP with a practitioner or other support person.
Things like colouring, drawing, playing with little toys, using fidget toys, doing simple crafts, kinetic sand, gentle stretching, walking, etc... are all fine.
Moving while listening to SSP can be useful in staying more regulated during the process. This may be especially important for adults and those with trauma. If moving during SSP listening it is important that the movement be on the slow and gentle side rather than being fast and vigorous as fast vigorous activity may speed the nervous system up and be less rather than more settling to the nervous system.
Ideally we prefer for the background to be as quiet as possible. However, if doing SSP with a child and they keep talking throughout, it is more important that the child feel safe and supported, than that they be quiet. It's fine to respond with playful fun gestures, big smiles and maybe putting a finger to your lips if that is well received but otherwise - don't worry about if if your child speaks during listening.
We know that SSP listening does not need to be perfect in order to be effective - many kids and some adults talk throughout SSP listening and still have wonderful results.
It is also the case that, while the usual instructions for SSP listening is that if someone falls asleep during listening it's important that they go back and listen again to the part they slept through. However, when I do SSP with my dogs they are virtually always asleep the entire time and have wonderful improvements. And, some very interesting and encouraging work is being done currently with SSP being administered to children during ther sleep, while their nervous system responses are being monitored.
Do I really need to have someone present with me during SSP listening?
Generally speaking, the theory is that SSP is more likely to be more effective when listening is done in the presence of someone we feel safe and comfortable with.
Part of how SSP works is by activating the social engagement systems and, while those systems might not come on board in a different way for some people until a few to several weeks after the process has been completed, for others, they may start to come on board immediately, during listening. If someone during listening experiences the urge to connect and they look around and they are alone or, worse, someone is present that they feel unsafe with, our feeling is that that may not support the process as well.
Having said that, not everyone has someone in their life that they feel safe with and supported by.
How long before I see results?
SSP improvements may begin to appear any time from the moment listening begins, until up to 2-7 weeks following completion of the entire protocol.
Some SSP clients notice vivid improvements - anything from sudden improvement in chronic constipation that had been an issue for decades, to a child who had never spoken before saying their first word - right from their first listening session, even when the session may have only been one to 10 minutes long.
Although it is rare, there are some people who do not appear to respond on a first round of SSP. The vast majority of those people are likely to experience a significant response on a second round of SSP, if they are willing to repeat it.
How long do improvements last for?
For some people, some or all of their SSP improvements stick into the long term. Other people may find that their improvements may fade after a few to several months or longer. Generally speaking, when we start to see improvements fade this tends to be a sign that it may be time to repeat SSP. Typically what happens in those situations is that with a subsequent round of SSP the improvements that had faded kick right back in again and each time they do SSP the improvements last longer.
Some people may experience a combination where some improvements stick and others may fade over time.
Are there any risks to doing SSP?
With SSP, dysregulation that appears is temporary.
The dysregulation should not get too "big" as long as someone does not go through the protocol at a pace that is far too fast for them. When delivery is adjusted when dysreguation appears, ideally in its earliest stages, SSP can be quite gentle.
If someone keeps pushing ahead either because their inexperienced or misinformed provider is telling them to or because they are pushing themselves to do so, even then there are signs of needing to slow down, dysregulation can escalate and uncomfortable experiences may occur.
If someone already has tinnitus it is particularly important to take a cautious approach with SSP and to pay close attention to that particular symptom and if it appears to becoming aggravated during the process. If SSP is done too quickly with tinnitus, it does tend to become worse and for some it may persist in being more evident for a number of weeks afterwards.
While some people are not particularly bothered by tinnitus, others find it quite aggravating.
SSP does have a way of unearthing things that are lying dormant beneath. For example, a child who has a tic disorder that has not yet been discovered, but they are getting close to the age when tic disorders tend to become evident, those symptoms may begin to show up during or shortly after doing SSP. SSP can not cause something such as a tic disorder, however.
I am (or my family member is) in crisis and/or medically unstable - is SSP right for us?
If someone is already feeling at the limit of what they can cope with - or
they are dealing with complex medical issues, SSP may not be the best place to begin.
For almost all people SSP can be fairly gentle and/or minimally dysregulating if delivery is carefully titrated to the specific nervous system response of the individual.
Many people may find that they immediately become more relaxed and find right away once they start SSP, that they find some improvements appearing right away and that stress rolls off of them more easily.
However, this is not always the case.
If someone is already feeling at the absolute limit of what they can cope with and, if the dial got turned up on their stress temporarily life may become unmanageable, while we would absolutely would recommend they do SSP at some point, it is not where we would recommend that they begin.
Interested in learning more about SSP?
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyztO4IL69I
What to expect from SSP?
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVqS1dDXQXg
SSP Core offers 3 different playlist.
They are:
Adult - which is a mix of rock, pop and country.
Child - which has music intended to appeal to children. The songs are from Disney and similar.
Classical Flow - which is classical music.
The filtering is the same on all three playlists so they can be used by anyone of any age.
The different pathways are mainly to appeal to different preferences.
What equipment/headphones do I need to do SSP?
1. A device in which you can access the SSP application. - Smartphones (either iPhone or Android) -
- Tablets (either Apple or Android) -
- Newer MacBook (must have the M1 chip) -
- Chromebook -
2. Headphones that are compatible with your chosen device.
Over the ear, with the big padded ear cups that completely surround the ears
They either do not have noise cancellation, or that feature can be turned off
Not bass enhanced
Either Bluetooth or wired
**Earbuds are not recommended for SSP**
How long will it take me to complete SSP listening? How long are listening sessions typically?
The current maximum recommended length of listening session is up to 30 minutes per day.
Many people can do quite well with that for some or all of SSP but most people will benefit from taking some days off during the process.
Some people may need listenings sessions that are much shorter than that, in order to keep the process gentle and to have best possible improvements.
For people who are sensitive to SSP, their listening sessions may for some parts of the process be measured in seconds rather than minutes. During other parts of the process they are likely to be able to listen at a pace that is significantly faster than that, though it may still be slower than what it might be for someone else.
Some people can complete SSP Core safely and gently within 2-3 weeks.
Most people can complete SSP safely and gently within 2-3 months.
Many more sensitive or medically complex people may need several months to complete one round of SSP Core.
Is it okay to do SSP at the same time as neurofeedback (or EMDR, Brainspotting, HemiSync, etc...)?
SSP Core is quite neurologically intensive. When neurological systems tend to shut down rather than process new information when they become overwhelmed. For this reason, generally speaking when doing SSP Core, we do not combine it with other approaches.
Occasionally there can be some possible exceptions to this, particularly when someone is going through SSP quite slowly.
How do I choose the right time to do SSP?
Before starting SSP we always suggest to people that they look at their upcoming schedule for themselves/their child and their family members.
If there are "big" events coming up that may be stressful or it's really important to be "on" for, like a big presentation at work, exam periods, an expensive vacation - unless possibly it's a very relaxed beach vacation or similar - then it may be better to wait until those events have passed.
Ideally we prefer to find a time when it may be possible to have moments to rest, relax and integrate if needed, and when people around the intended SSP client may feel more able to "hold space" for them and be patient, etc... if any dysregulation were to show up.
This does not have to be perfect - kids can do quite well doing SSP during the school year, for example though if say summer break or Christmas or spring break are approaching soon, sometimes that is an ideal time.
Another thing to check the upcoming schedule for is upcoming dental work. Although things like cleanings and regular dental checkups are totally fine, we avoid doing SSP right before invasive dental procedures such as a root canal or dental implants.
Similarly, we would avoid doing SSP shortly before a surgery or other invasive medical procedure.
What can I/my child do while listening to SSP?
During SSP we ideally would like as much of the focus to be upon actively listening to the music, if possible, rather than just passively hearing it.
For this reason we avoid things like reading, writing or using screens while listening to SSP - other than for online sessions listening to SSP with a practitioner or other support person.
Things like colouring, drawing, playing with little toys, using fidget toys, doing simple crafts, kinetic sand, gentle stretching, walking, etc... are all fine.
Moving while listening to SSP can be useful in staying more regulated during the process. This may be especially important for adults and those with trauma. If moving during SSP listening it is important that the movement be on the slow and gentle side rather than being fast and vigorous as fast vigorous activity may speed the nervous system up and be less rather than more settling to the nervous system.
Ideally we prefer for the background to be as quiet as possible. However, if doing SSP with a child and they keep talking throughout, it is more important that the child feel safe and supported, than that they be quiet. It's fine to respond with playful fun gestures, big smiles and maybe putting a finger to your lips if that is well received but otherwise - don't worry about if if your child speaks during listening.
We know that SSP listening does not need to be perfect in order to be effective - many kids and some adults talk throughout SSP listening and still have wonderful results.
It is also the case that, while the usual instructions for SSP listening is that if someone falls asleep during listening it's important that they go back and listen again to the part they slept through. However, when I do SSP with my dogs they are virtually always asleep the entire time and have wonderful improvements. And, some very interesting and encouraging work is being done currently with SSP being administered to children during ther sleep, while their nervous system responses are being monitored.
Do I really need to have someone present with me during SSP listening?
Generally speaking, the theory is that SSP is more likely to be more effective when listening is done in the presence of someone we feel safe and comfortable with.
Part of how SSP works is by activating the social engagement systems and, while those systems might not come on board in a different way for some people until a few to several weeks after the process has been completed, for others, they may start to come on board immediately, during listening. If someone during listening experiences the urge to connect and they look around and they are alone or, worse, someone is present that they feel unsafe with, our feeling is that that may not support the process as well.
Having said that, not everyone has someone in their life that they feel safe with and supported by.
How long before I see results?
SSP improvements may begin to appear any time from the moment listening begins, until up to 2-7 weeks following completion of the entire protocol.
Some SSP clients notice vivid improvements - anything from sudden improvement in chronic constipation that had been an issue for decades, to a child who had never spoken before saying their first word - right from their first listening session, even when the session may have only been one to 10 minutes long.
Although it is rare, there are some people who do not appear to respond on a first round of SSP. The vast majority of those people are likely to experience a significant response on a second round of SSP, if they are willing to repeat it.
How long do improvements last for?
For some people, some or all of their SSP improvements stick into the long term. Other people may find that their improvements may fade after a few to several months or longer. Generally speaking, when we start to see improvements fade this tends to be a sign that it may be time to repeat SSP. Typically what happens in those situations is that with a subsequent round of SSP the improvements that had faded kick right back in again and each time they do SSP the improvements last longer.
Some people may experience a combination where some improvements stick and others may fade over time.
Are there any risks to doing SSP?
With SSP, dysregulation that appears is temporary.
The dysregulation should not get too "big" as long as someone does not go through the protocol at a pace that is far too fast for them. When delivery is adjusted when dysreguation appears, ideally in its earliest stages, SSP can be quite gentle.
If someone keeps pushing ahead either because their inexperienced or misinformed provider is telling them to or because they are pushing themselves to do so, even then there are signs of needing to slow down, dysregulation can escalate and uncomfortable experiences may occur.
If someone already has tinnitus it is particularly important to take a cautious approach with SSP and to pay close attention to that particular symptom and if it appears to becoming aggravated during the process. If SSP is done too quickly with tinnitus, it does tend to become worse and for some it may persist in being more evident for a number of weeks afterwards.
While some people are not particularly bothered by tinnitus, others find it quite aggravating.
SSP does have a way of unearthing things that are lying dormant beneath. For example, a child who has a tic disorder that has not yet been discovered, but they are getting close to the age when tic disorders tend to become evident, those symptoms may begin to show up during or shortly after doing SSP. SSP can not cause something such as a tic disorder, however.
I am (or my family member is) in crisis and/or medically unstable - is SSP right for us?
If someone is already feeling at the limit of what they can cope with - or
they are dealing with complex medical issues, SSP may not be the best place to begin.
For almost all people SSP can be fairly gentle and/or minimally dysregulating if delivery is carefully titrated to the specific nervous system response of the individual.
Many people may find that they immediately become more relaxed and find right away once they start SSP, that they find some improvements appearing right away and that stress rolls off of them more easily.
However, this is not always the case.
If someone is already feeling at the absolute limit of what they can cope with and, if the dial got turned up on their stress temporarily life may become unmanageable, while we would absolutely would recommend they do SSP at some point, it is not where we would recommend that they begin.
Interested in learning more about SSP?
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyztO4IL69I
What to expect from SSP?
Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVqS1dDXQXg