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Step 4
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Dr. Steven Porges
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), developed by Dr. Stephen Porges is used by mental health professionals, therapists and sensory integration practitioners as an adjunct therapy to help their clients regulate their nervous systems, process external cues and signals more effectively, and attain a grounded state in which they feel safe and receptive.
Polyvagal Theory
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is rooted in the science of Polyvagal Theory, offers a unique, evidence-based approach to nervous system regulation. By harnessing the power of sound, the SSP targets the vagus nerve to calm the body’s fight, flight, or freeze responses, helping individuals achieve a state of safety and balance.
Polyvagal Theory is a scientific framework that supports the integration of physiological (“bottom-up”) therapies with cognitive (“top-down”) approaches to help change and improve how we feel, think and connect with others.
Polyvagal Theory focuses on what is happening in the body and the nervous system, and explains how our sense of safety, danger or life threat can impact our behavior.
This opens the door for other therapies (e.g., Stop Stuttering) to become more accessible, impactful and accelerated.
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The
Science
The Vagus Nerve
The mind and body are connected through the vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the autonomic nervous system, stretching from the brainstem to the colon. It is our internal control center, allowing the brain to monitor and receive information about many of our bodily functions.
The vagus nerve helps to regulate critical aspects of human physiology, including the heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, digestion and even speaking. As the body takes in information automatically through neuroception, the vagus nerve communicates this information to the brain, which processes the signals and cues from the world around us and in turn determines how we react through three physiological states: Parasympathetic/ventral vagal state, sympathetic state, or dorsal vagal state.
AUTONOMIC LADDEDR:
Three Hierarchical Physiological States
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Parasympathetic/ventral vagal state: Our centered “true-self” state, where all social interaction, connection and creativity occurs.
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Sympathetic state: Feeling of threat or danger, and feeling the need to either “fight” or “flee” from a situation to seek safety.
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Dorsal vagal state: Our “freeze” state, when we feel our lives are so immediately threatened that we become immobilized.
The autonomic ladder, as envisioned by Deb Dana (2018), is one way to visually represent these physiological states.
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The
Music
The music of the SSP has been filtered through a patented, evidence-based algorithm that highlights specific sound frequencies that help regulate the autonomic nervous system and stimulate the vagus nerve. The mind and body are connected through the vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the autonomic nervous system, stretching from the brainstem to the colon. It is our internal control center, allowing the brain to monitor and receive information about many of our bodily functions.
SSP Playlists
The SSP contains several vocal and non-vocal music playlists and levels of filtration to support engagement and participation in the listening process. Multiple vocal and non-vocal playlists allow the SSP to be customized for listening.
FEEL BETTER
Respond effectively to life’s challenges “Respond vs. react,” replacing emotionally charged reactivity with controlled responsiveness and resilience.
THINK BETTER
Access higher learning and cognition. Learn and retain important facts and concepts that enable greater confidence and societal contribution.
CONNECT BETTER
Build positive social relationships. Develop relationships and truly connect with others.
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