The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and based on his Polyvagal Theory, the Safe and Sound Protocol is a listening intervention designed to reduce stress and auditory sensitivity while enhancing social engagement and resilience. The SSP supports calming our emotional and physiological states through our vagus nerve complex. Our emotional and physiological states are critical to how we manage tasks and challenges. When we are in a better state of control, not only can we be more socially engaged, we are more open to therapy and therapeutic strategies.
“You must feel safe to be able to communicate to another that you are safe.” (Dr. Stephen Porges).
Based on the Polyvagal Theory (The Science of Feeling Safe), the SSP program is derived from nearly four decades of research on the relationship between the Autonomic Nervous System and social-emotional processes. The Polyvagal Theory explains the significance of the vagus nerve within the Autonomic Nervous System. The ANS is our body’s internal surveillance system, constantly detecting cues of safety and danger inside us, in our environment, with our connections and relationship to others, trying to determine “is this safe?”. This is occurring outside of our mind’s awareness, what Dr. Porges refers to as neuroception. This is known as our stress response system and regulates how our body responds to cues of safety and to cues of danger. If our ANS detects a cue of danger it can respond in what most know as a fight/flight stress response, in which our body mobilizes itself for survival. If our ANS detects a cue of danger and believes the best course of action is to immobilize, this is the body’s way of shutting down or becoming invisible to manage the danger. Our most advanced nervous system pathway is social engagement. When we receive enough cues of safety we are open to connecting and engaging and can co-regulate with another in order to feel safe.
The SSP uses the auditory system as a portal to the vagus nerve complex, which controls our physiological state. The SSP involves listening to female vocal music that has been specifically processed so that the middle ear muscles are trained and exercised to focus on the frequency range of the human voice. This stimulates the ANS regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system. The music chosen is able to re-tune and regulate the ANS (regulating state) When the ANS is regulated, the individual is introduced to a sense of safety. This results in a capacity to feel connected to others, an enhanced ability to learn, and self-regulate. The result is improved social communication and behavioral regulation.
Following successful completion of the SSP, individuals will be better able to focus in school, therapy, and everyday life and experience a calmed emotional and physiological state. This is based on studies that suggest that skills such as attention state regulation and the ability to engage socially will be enhanced.
“You must feel safe to be able to communicate to another that you are safe.” (Dr. Stephen Porges).
Based on the Polyvagal Theory (The Science of Feeling Safe), the SSP program is derived from nearly four decades of research on the relationship between the Autonomic Nervous System and social-emotional processes. The Polyvagal Theory explains the significance of the vagus nerve within the Autonomic Nervous System. The ANS is our body’s internal surveillance system, constantly detecting cues of safety and danger inside us, in our environment, with our connections and relationship to others, trying to determine “is this safe?”. This is occurring outside of our mind’s awareness, what Dr. Porges refers to as neuroception. This is known as our stress response system and regulates how our body responds to cues of safety and to cues of danger. If our ANS detects a cue of danger it can respond in what most know as a fight/flight stress response, in which our body mobilizes itself for survival. If our ANS detects a cue of danger and believes the best course of action is to immobilize, this is the body’s way of shutting down or becoming invisible to manage the danger. Our most advanced nervous system pathway is social engagement. When we receive enough cues of safety we are open to connecting and engaging and can co-regulate with another in order to feel safe.
The SSP uses the auditory system as a portal to the vagus nerve complex, which controls our physiological state. The SSP involves listening to female vocal music that has been specifically processed so that the middle ear muscles are trained and exercised to focus on the frequency range of the human voice. This stimulates the ANS regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system. The music chosen is able to re-tune and regulate the ANS (regulating state) When the ANS is regulated, the individual is introduced to a sense of safety. This results in a capacity to feel connected to others, an enhanced ability to learn, and self-regulate. The result is improved social communication and behavioral regulation.
Following successful completion of the SSP, individuals will be better able to focus in school, therapy, and everyday life and experience a calmed emotional and physiological state. This is based on studies that suggest that skills such as attention state regulation and the ability to engage socially will be enhanced.
You can access additional information and research articles
http://integratedlistening.com/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/
Dawn Wilcox, LCSW and Jill Berlin LCSW have been trained in the Safe and Sound Protocol and have been given permission by iLS to implement the protocol. Dawn Wilcox LCSW is trained in the iLS Focus program as well.
http://integratedlistening.com/ssp-safe-sound-protocol/
Dawn Wilcox, LCSW and Jill Berlin LCSW have been trained in the Safe and Sound Protocol and have been given permission by iLS to implement the protocol. Dawn Wilcox LCSW is trained in the iLS Focus program as well.
FREE eBook: Polyvagal Theory and You
ILs was founded in Denver, CO in 2007 as the first neurotechnology company to systematically integrate music, movement and language exercises for the purpose of improving brain function. The premise behind the new multisensory program was that these combined modalities, when implemented on a repeated basis, would provide holistic brain training for improving cognition as well as emotional health. In the first year of training educators and clinicians, it was clear that we were on to something; clinical results showed consistently better learning, attention, behavior and performance as a result of the improved ability to integrate sensory input.
ILs is based on the fact that we can change our brain – we can essentially re-wire it through specific and repeated stimulation, a concept known as neuroplasticity. As in building strength and endurance with physical exercise, we are able to build neurological pathways and synaptic activity at any age.
ILs trains for brain/body integration through a staged approach, starting with the fundamentals of sensory integration and then extending through more complex cognitive functions, including language, self-expression and social skills.
For additional information www.integratedlisteningsystems.com
ILs is based on the fact that we can change our brain – we can essentially re-wire it through specific and repeated stimulation, a concept known as neuroplasticity. As in building strength and endurance with physical exercise, we are able to build neurological pathways and synaptic activity at any age.
ILs trains for brain/body integration through a staged approach, starting with the fundamentals of sensory integration and then extending through more complex cognitive functions, including language, self-expression and social skills.
For additional information www.integratedlisteningsystems.com