The Safe and Sound Protocol in Cary NC

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a 5-hour, evidence-based, listening therapy. It is designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors. The therapy is administered through filtered music via headphones alongside a provider, in-person or remotely. Based on Dr. Porges Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to provide a calming effect on our physiological and emotional state to better support connection, collaboration and resilience for enhancing therapeutic outcomes.

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Auditory Sensitivities
• Inattention and Focus
• Behavioral Regulation and Resilience
• Physical Coordination and balance
• Reading and Auditory Processing
• Sleep Difficulty
• Stress, Anxiety and Trauma related challenges
• Speech and Language Disorders
• Social and Emotional Difficulties
• Trauma and PTSD
• Stressors Impacting Social Engagement

First, it is important to understand that the feelings of “safety” is not a cognitive process because safety comes from our autonomic nervous system. When our nervous system is feeling safe, our bodies are able to engage with others socially and can fully connect with others. When our nervous system detects “danger” it will activate our sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for “fight-flight” or it will activate our parasympathetic nervous system or “freeze”. These systems are in place to help people quickly respond to dangerous situations in their environment and if the escape was not possible, we go into “freeze” mode. Going into the modern world, these different systems for survival are not helpful to us in non-life-threatening situations

For people who have been affected by trauma, sensory difficulties, anxiety, ADHD and chronic stress, our bodies have difficulties moving out of these activated survival states even when the perceived danger has passed which causes these systems to be chronically activated. This can cause difficulties with social engagement, emotional regulation, connectedness and overall well-being. People with Autism Spectrum Disorder, often can display imbalance towards the sympathetic system instead of the parasympathetic systems. Research has shown that the Safe and Sound Protocol can help people with autism or sensory sensitivities get out of the sympathetic system so they are able to feel calmer, increase their communication and engagement and connectedness with others.