The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
A gentle listening therapy for nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and deeper connection.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based auditory intervention designed to help regulate the nervous system and support a greater sense of safety, ease, and connection - within yourself and with others.
Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP uses specially filtered music to send cues of safety to the nervous system. These cues support the body’s natural ability to shift out of chronic stress, reactivity, or shutdown and into a more balanced, regulated state.
The full program includes approximately five hours of music and is guided at a pace that is tailored to your unique nervous system.
Why Nervous System Regulation Matters
Your nervous system is constantly scanning for cues of safety through tone of voice, facial expression, body language, and your internal sensations.
When the nervous system has learned, often through stress or past experiences, that the world is unsafe, it can become stuck in patterns of fight, flight, or shutdown. This can affect sleep, digestion, focus, emotional regulation, relationships, and overall wellbeing.
When the nervous system feels safe, the body is better able to:
Rest and recover
Regulate emotions
Respond rather than react
Connect socially
Access clarity, creativity, and resilience
How the Safe and Sound Protocol Works
The SSP uses music that has been filtered through a patented algorithm to highlight sound frequencies similar to the human voice. These frequencies stimulate the vagus nerve, a key part of the parasympathetic nervous system involved in safety, connection, and regulation.
As you listen, these auditory cues gently support the nervous system in moving toward a calmer, more regulated state. Many people report feeling more settled, present, emotionally balanced, and socially engaged over time.
Who the SSP May Support
The Safe and Sound Protocol may be helpful for individuals seeking support with:
Anxiety and chronic stress
Depression or low mood
Trauma history
Sensory sensitivities
Neurodevelopmental differences, including autism and ADHD
Difficulty with emotional regulation
Challenges with social connection or communication
Sleep, digestion, or concentration difficulties
The SSP is safe and effective for children, adolescents, and adults, and can also be experienced by families together.
What to Expect
Your role
Your only task during a session is to listen. You may be invited to engage in gentle supportive activities such as breathing, stretching, or drawing. You will be encouraged to share any sensations, emotions, or responses that arise so your listening plan can be adjusted as needed.
Our Role at Mindful Health
At Mindful Health, we guide you through the Safe and Sound Protocol with care, intention, and attunement. Before you begin, we assess readiness and work with you to create a personalized listening plan that honours your nervous system and your lived experience. Throughout the process, we monitor pacing closely and make adjustments as needed.
SSP listening sessions are offered in person, remotely from home, or through a hybrid approach, allowing flexibility while maintaining guided support every step of the way.
Works alongside other therapies
The SSP can be used on its own or alongside other therapeutic approaches, including:
Somatic and trauma-informed therapies (EMDR, Somatic Experiencing®, IFS)
Talk therapies (CBT, DBT, and related modalities)
Occupational therapy, sensory integration, and body-based therapies
By supporting nervous system regulation, the SSP often makes it easier to engage more fully in other forms of healing work.
Backed by Science
The Safe and Sound Protocol is based on decades of research in Polyvagal Theory and has been used by over 100,000 people in more than 70 countries. Research supporting the SSP has been published in peer-reviewed journals including the Harvard Review of Psychiatry and Frontiers.
Begin Your SSP Journey
If you’re curious about whether the Safe and Sound Protocol is right for you, we invite you to start with a conversation. Together, we’ll explore your needs, answer your questions, and determine whether SSP feels like a supportive next step on your healing path.
