Safe and Sound Protocol
What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
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At CPJ Counseling, we offer the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), an innovative, evidence-based auditory intervention designed to help regulate your nervous system. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and rooted in Polyvagal Theory, SSP targets and enhances emotional resilience, reduces anxiety, and improves social engagement—all through the power of sound.
How Does It Work?
The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) is the only practical application of Polyvagal Theory, and is designed to improve sound sensitivities and auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through specially-filtered music.
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The SSP allows for the repatterning of neural networks and improved regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) for lasting change.
Based on hierarchical recruitment of the ANS, the SSP trains the middle ear muscles to tune-in to cues of safety signaled by the frequencies of human voice, which stimulates the social engagement system through the neural network associated with listening.
WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM SAFE AND SOUND PROTOCOL
SSP is a music-based intervention that can address dysregulation caused by Sensory Processing Disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders, sleep disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, misophonia, and other factors that cause an overactive or underactive emotional state. By reducing auditory sensitivities and improving the ability to process human speech, the goal of SSP is to calm the autonomic nervous system so that the child or adult can become more social, engaged, and responsive to their own emotional needs. Other benefits may include improved digestion, improved sleep, and improved vocal tone.