Het Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is een muziektherapie en luistertraining. Die speciaal ontwikkeld is om mensen te helpen die trauma of langdurige stress ervaren hebben. Het bestaat uit vijf uur luisteren naar gecodeerde en gefilterde
muziek. De vijf uren worden geluisterd volgens een luisterschema, waarbij je het SSP luistert in gemiddeld 20 dagen met maximaal 20 minuten per dag.

To avoid side effects, you will receive a gentle build-up with us. This also ensures that the therapy works better. This is because it gives your nervous system and body time to adjust.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges who is also the creator of the well-known

Polyvagal theory.
A scientific model which describes the evolution and functioning of the nervous system in mammals (and humans).

The SSP music is limited to frequencies corresponding to a safe human voice in the ventral state.

This creates safety and allows the autonomic nervous system, along with your body and mind, to relax.

This helps your body come out of a fight, flight or freeze mode.

The program trains the muscles in the middle ear to listen better to human voices. And less to other sounds that were dangerous from our evolution.

Discover the mechanism of action behind the SSP. So that you can better understand how you can benefit from this yourself.

The SSP helps to:

- Improve human speech processing

- Reduce noise sensitivities

- Improve social interactions

- Easier to deal with changing and demanding conditions.

- Managing our emotions better and distancing ourselves from them

-
Improve neuroperception (sensing our environment)

Does the Safe and Sound Protocol really work?

Peer reviewed research has shown that the SSP provides enhanced vagus nerve function and positively affects HRV. The HRV is an important indicator of general health.

The SSP also demonstrated That it improves attention. And that it helps to cope better with changing situations.

It can also help us connect more easily and better with others and the world around us. In addition, it supports with concentration problems.

This video gives a great explanation of our autonomic nervous system. And why it is so important to our health and how we feel.

Despite being about music, the SSP is also a powerful tool that sometimes causes side effects when run through too quickly. 

What side effects are there?

Some people report mild side effects, including headaches, insomnia and fatigue, but these side effects were all temporary.

Due to our careful approach the chance of this is minimal, with us 95% follows it without side effects. If side effects do occur, we will adjust the method of listening in consultation so that you can continue listening without side effects.

Why does it support other forms of therapy?

The SSP allows people to feel safe again and therefore relax. This relaxation also allows people to be more open to therapy. And they are also able to change.

This is in contrast to a state in which one is primarily concerned with survival or is closed off. Therefore, the SSP helps accelerate results and improves therapeutic outcomes.

The SSP is designed to help the nervous system receive, process and respond more effectively to the signals and cues of the world around us. This allows us to participate more easily in modern busy life.

What is the scientific basis behind the SSP?

The SSP was developed based on the Polyvagal Theory (PVT). The PVT offers an explanatory model for how our nervous system works and develops. And shows how we can adapt to different circumstances.

Het SSP traint het gehoor zodat het minder gericht is op zware geluiden (van gevaar) en zich meer richt op hogere geluiden (veiligheid en de menselijke stem). Dit zorgt voor een staat waarin we ons weer veilig, verbonden en ontspannen
kunnen voelen.

Het SSP gebruikt prosodische muziek die is gefilterd, om de spieren in het middenoor te trainen. Zodat ze zich richten op de frequentie die wordt gevonden in menselijke spraak. Dit verandert het zenuwstelsel om kalmerende frequenties
beter waar te nemen.

Het SSP werkt rechtstreeks in op het zenuwstelsel via de Nervus Vagus, de belangrijkste zenuw van ons autonome zenuwstelsel. Het SSP zend signalen van veiligheid naar deze zenuw. Hierdoor kan het zenuwstelsel terugkeren naar de staat
van veiligheid.

The Safe and Sound Protocol is derived from over 40 years of research into the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and social-emotional processes

What are the benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol?

The SSP can help with:

- Social engagement: the SSP can help people better connect with others.

- Emotional regulation: the SSP can help people better control their emotions and behavior.

- Learning: the SSP can help people make progress in learning and therapy.

- Focus: the SSP can help people focus on speech when there is background noise.

- Interpretation: the SSP can help people interpret the emotional meaning of language.

- Fight-or-flight response: the SSP can help the nervous system reduce the fight-or-flight response.

- Therapeutic outcomes: the SSP can help accelerate outcomes and improve therapeutic outcomes.

It can also help reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and emotional deregulation.

The SSP consists of several parts, each with its own operation. You will receive detailed listening instructions so you know exactly how to best use the SSP.

What kind of programs are there?

The SSP has several programs, also called pathways.

Connect, this variant is designed to explore the different types of music first before beginning the therapeutic Core program.

Core, this is the real therapeutic program which is listened to according to a listening schedule.

Balance, this program can be listened to after completing Core. Balance helps in moments of stress and tension. This program is sometimes used temporarily for support.

What kinds of music are there?

Original, the first version of the SSP. This playlist contains Pop songs from the 70s and 80s.

Wonder, a playlist that includes Disney songs.

Classical, A playlist of classical music.

Freely, a playlist of ambient music

Because of these variations, there is always one that really suits you.

Therefore, many people really enjoy listening to the SSP. And immediately experience safety and relaxation while listening.

Before you start listening, you'll receive all the listening instructions you need from us. And an appropriate listening schedule. That way you know exactly how to listen and what is important to pay attention to. During or after listening, you can always contact us to ask questions. And to discuss your listening experiences. 

What are appropriate activities to do while listening to the SSP?

It is especially important to avoid strenuous activities. Therefore, walking is often not recommended because it can quickly become too strenuous.

It is best to sit while listening; lying down can cause you to fall asleep quickly because of the relaxing effect. If you do fall asleep, just listen to that part of the program again.

Some example activities include:

Natuurfilms kijken op de televisie met het geluid uit. Tekenen, of magic sand. Magic sand stimuleert je zintuigen als je bewust bent van het zand wat door je vingers glijdt. Meditatie of een andere vorm van mindfulness past ook prima.
Samen luisteren met een veilig persoon naar het SSP kan erg fijn en gezellig zijn. En is altijd aan te bevelen, wanneer dit mogelijk is. 

What is not recommended to do during the SSP?

Activiteiten die veel inspanning vergen. Te denken valt aan snel lopen, werken, stofzuigen of andere huishoudelijke taken. Eten en drinken. Veel praten. Op een scherm zitten, laptop, telefoon of tablet. Activiteiten ondernemen waar
je stress of spanning van krijgt.

What is an appropriate time to listen?

Het makkelijkste is om het elke dag op hetzelfde moment te doen zodat je een routine ontwikkeld. Probeer een moment te kiezen waarin je even niets hoeft te doen en niet gestoord kan worden. Voel je je gespannen voor je begint met het
luisteren, doe dan een ontspanningsoefening. Voorbeelden hiervan krijg je in de Polyvagaal cursus die je gratis krijgt bij je bestelling van het SSP.