Safe & Sound Protocol

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through filtered music.

As a practical application of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to re-tune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration and resilience.

Simply put, the SSP uses filtered audio to allow your nervous system to transition naturally through its three various states (known as ventral/sympathetic/dorsal, rest and digest/fight or flight/freeze, and green/yellow/red). It helps you to not get “stuck” in the sympathetic and dorsal states, allowing you to more easily access the ventral, or resting, state.

The SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider. Suitable for children and adults, the SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.

Happy I Tried It I’m really happy I tried SSP and recommend that you try it if you’re thinking about it. I was struggling with depression, anxiety, and OCD. There were a lot of days I wasn’t coping well. Going to meetings made me feel worse, and the tools that help when I’m feeling well weren’t working on my OCD thoughts. Now, about a month later, I notice that my nervous system isn’t getting stuck like it was. I’m more able to handle stresses without spiraling. And the tools work better to get me out of my OCD thoughts. For me it works better than vagal exercises and is more enjoyable. I’m really happy to have found this other tool and grateful to Deseree for finding it and teaching it! KF Safe and Sound Protocol Recently I completed the Core Program for SSP. Truth be told, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Can’t hurt, might help, right?! I just hoped it would do something for me. The program didn’t make everything better. And the results didn’t happen right away. Here’s what I’ve experienced: Just shy of completing the Core program I started noticing I felt a little more calm. Also, I noticed change in my sleep. I felt like I was sleeping more sound, not waking up as much. Interestingly, my Fitbit confirmed it. I check my Fitbit most days to see how well (or not) I sleep. And what I saw was that my deep sleep and REM sleep improved noticeably. So that’s cool! I figure that with improved sleep that everything else will feel better. So the results of SSP were not crazy awesome. BUT…it certainly has helped. Considering I didn’t know what to expect I am pleased with the results. I continue to do the ‘maintenance’ program with SSP. I usually listen for a few minutes right before bed, a couple times a week. Anonymous Can’t say enough good things! Since completing my SSP I have noticed some big changes. My anxiety levels have gone down, I don’t feel so easily overwhelmed. My depression rating was cut in half. In moments where I would normally panic I’ve had a clear head. I haven’t been obsessive or so intent on perfection (from myself or others). I haven’t been as reactive with my children. I have my appetite back after not having it for years. For so long the only way I could tell that I needed to eat would be getting dizzy or almost passing out. Eating often made me feel sick though, so it didn’t come naturally. But now my stomach actually growls and I can eat without an automatic stomach ache. Learning about my nervous system and having the tools to help me regulate it has been a game changer. It feels like SSP was an investment in my future. I’m so thankful that it was recommended to me. PM As a music-loving 13 year old… As a music-loving 13 year old with anxiety and depression, the Safe and Sound Protocol was the most effective therapy I’ve had to date. I no longer feel like I’m living in survival mode, or constantly on the verge of a breakdown. I would recommend this therapy to anyone. Deseree has helped me so much! A. B. So I used to be… So I used to be a warm and friendly person. I used to make eye contact and smile at people, basically I would talk to strangers. I went through a dark period where I was pretty depressed, it didn’t make me sad, I became angry and aggressive. This isn’t who I want to be. Turns out I was constantly in fight or flight, I couldn’t get out of it. Deseree suggested the safe and sound protocol, when I finished it i didn’t notice any difference, but my wife did. It was gradual, but after a few weeks I was just feeling good. In fact I started smiling at people and making eye contact. I started talking to strangers again. My family and I benefited from ssp. I encourage anyone to try it Zach Amazed Before I started the SSP, I was stuck in a very deep depression, despite making great progress in my CBT sessions with Deseree. I had learned so much in my therapy with her, so why wasn’t I feeling better? Because my nervous system was stuck, that was why. Deseree could see it, so she recommended the SSP several times to me before I finally decided to try it. I was very skeptical of this therapy, thinking it probably wouldn’t have any effect. But I was so wrong! Now that I’m in my last few minutes of listening to the program, I can honestly say that I feel better than I have felt in a long time. I’m not just back to my old self, I’m better than my old self!! I realize that everyone’s experience with the protocol will be a little different but I can say honestly that it works! Cortney B SSP experience I think SSP is worth the investment. The questionnaire you fill out before and after is very informative. My scale of anxiety and depression dropped more than I realized after completing the SSP program. I feel like I still need to do the vagal exercises, but that the SSP has helped me make progress faster than just the exercises and therapy sessions alone. Tandra Nishimoto

Highlights of the SSP:

• A five-hour auditory intervention developed and patented by Dr. Stephen Porges, author of the Polyvagal Theory.
• Designed to reduce sound sensitivity, and improve auditory processing and behavioral state regulation.
• Activates the client’s social engagement system, helping to accelerate and enhance therapeutic outcomes.
• Supports physiological state regulation, allowing for greater resilience.

Polyvagal Theory: the Science of Feeling Safe

Developed by world-renowned researcher and Unyte’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr. Stephen Porges, Polyvagal Theory focuses on what is happening in the body and the nervous system, and explains how our sense of safety, danger or life-threat can impact our behavior.

Understanding Polyvagal Theory gives us a scientific framework that can be applied through physiological, or “bottom-up” therapies, to help change and improve how we feel, think and connect with others.

Mended Mind's SSP Program

Mended Mind's SSP program consists of 10-30 minute sessions as you work through the 5 hour protocol.

This program is offered to present or former Mended Mind clients. Anyone that has not been or is not a current client will need to schedule a consultation with Deseree to determine eligibility.

Prior to the first appointment, we will need you to fill out a few assessment forms.

When you book your first appointment, you are beginning the following program:

Saturday:

• Autonomic mapping (approximately 30 mins)
• Psychoeducation (5-15 minutes)
• Q&A
• Equipment and software check
• Core listening with SSP Coach

Sunday and onward

• Independent core listening with access to coach as needed

Many are able to complete the core listening in about ten days, but you will have access to the audio for a total of 2 months. You will be able to finish up the listening program at your own pace using the training that you've received from your coach. For example, some choose to listen to just 5-10 minutes of filtered audio per day.

Post Assessment and Debriefing

Two to four weeks after you have completed the Safe and Sound Protocol, there will be a post assessment and debriefing to conclude the program. This usually takes between half an hour to forty-five minutes.

Requirements

You will need a quiet, calm area where you can be completely undisturbed during the program.

Hardware:

• A iOS or Android device capable of downloading and running the Unyte-iLs app
• Over-ear high-quality headphones that do not have boosted bass or noise cancelling features. They will also need to be able to connect to your mobile device to play the audio.
• An activity that requires minimal attention is preferred by many that take this treatment. For example, an adult coloring book and pencil crayons.

Groups

Mended Mind offers group SSP at a discounted rate of $295 per person. Group sizes are 2-4 people and need to be approved prior to booking. Ask your coach about this option if you are interested.

FAQs

How much does the Safe & Sound Protocol cost?

We're currently offering this program at a price of $495, which includes the pre-assessment and post-assessment. You may have additional personal costs if you need to purchase a new headset or other equipment for the program.

Why would I be interested in the SSP program instead of just doing vagal exercises with my coach?

Both the SSP and vagal exercises are bottom-up approaches to therapy, meaning that they focus on connecting you to your nervous system and emotions. Both are effective in achieving this.

The reason that we are excited to offer the Mended Mind SSP Program is that it has been proven to achieve more noticeable results in a shorter amount of time than vagal toning exercises alone.

Do I need to re-take the SSP Program in the future to maintain the benefits? Is maintenance required?

Most clients choose to re-take the program as events in life come up or as regular maintenance. The frequency varies from person to person, and can range between every two months to every year. We offer this program to repeat clients at a reduced rate.

We also offer a subscription service where you will be able to access less modified audio for use as maintenance for a monthly fee.

What's the refund policy for the SSP Program?

Due to the challenge of requiring daily progress for an entire week, this program is more challenging for us to coordinate with our clients. For this reason, instead of a 48-hour cancellation policy we will require a full week's notice of cancellation to qualify for a refund.

If you are interested in trying the Safe & Sound Protocol, please ask your Mental Health Coach for more information.

---

Want to leave a review of your experience with the Safe & Sound Protocol?

*Note: All reviews are held for manual review prior to being published to prevent spam and bots from posting. Please only leave reviews once you have completed the program, which includes the final post assessment.