The Safe and Secure Protocol (SSP)

Over the next few blogs I will be exploring the Safe and Sound Protocol and its applications. This blog explores what the SSP is and its potential benefits.

The SSP is an evidence-based therapy that utilizes modified music to stimulate the ventral vagus nerve, involved in the detection and experience of safety. Activation of the ventral vagus nerve is essential for rest, restoration, and social engagement. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, founder of the Polyvagal Theory (PVT), the SSP is a gentle and non-invasive intervention that promotes greater connection, autonomic flexibility, and resilience. Specifically, it retunes the nervous system to recognize safety in internal and external environments including relationships.

The SSP has been found to benefit children and adults who experience conditions that involve the activation of protective states; specifically the sympathetic and dorsal vagal branches of the central nervous system. These protective autonomic states are essential for our capacity to deal with threat and danger. However, in some cases these states can be miss-attuned to the environment, leading to experiences such as anxiety, hypervigilance, negative thinking, chronic fear and anger, sensory issues, chronic stress, increased pain, and depression, to name a few. These autonomic defensive states can impact relationships, productivity, and quality of life. There are many reasons why the autonomic nervous system becomes chronically activated in this way including trauma, chronic stress and illness, sensory sensitivities, etc. The SSP has been found to support individuals with:

• Anxiety and/or depression
• Sensory processing challenges
• Trauma
• Chronic pain
• Compulsive behaviors
• Chronic stress
• Adverse childhood experiences
• And more

The SSP is provided by certified practitioners who assess, guide, and monitor the process. The SSP can be delivered in person or remotely through a combination of in-session and self-directed listening practice. The SSP provider is able to determine the best approach and pacing of the delivery through ongoing assessment of participants’ responses and provide additional regulatory support throughout the protocol as well as following up with post treatment assessments.

In upcoming blogs, I will take a deeper dive into the SSP including applications for individual and couples therapy, healthcare providers, and leaders. If you are interested in more information please feel free to contact me.