The Safe and Sound Protocol.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy designed and patented by Dr Stephen Porges, PhD, and author of the Polyvagal Theory. The SSP works to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioural state regulation and social engagement behaviours through filtered music.
As a practical application of the Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to re-tune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration and resilience.
The SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider, in person or remotely. It is suitable for children and adults and has shown benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.
The Safe and Sound Protocol is a five hour auditory intervention, and it
activates the person's social engagement system, helping to accelerate and enhance therapeutic outcomes. The SSP supports physiological state regulation, allowing for greater resilience.
Polyvagal Theory: The Silence of Feeling Safe.
The Polyvagal Theory has been developed by world-renowned researcher and Unyte's chief scientific advisor, Dr Stephen Porges. The 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 behaviour.
Understanding the Polyvagal Theory gives us a scientific framework that can be applied through physiological, or "bottom up" therapies to help change and improve how we feel, think and connect with others.
If you would like to book a session to discuss The SSP and how it can help you or someone you love email me to book a session.
Integrated Listening Systems (iLS) Focus.
The integrated listening Focus system (iLS Focus) is an evidence based therapeutic tool, which has been designed to help all ages. It uses both music and movement to help support brain integration, and it has been designed to help motor and sensory issues, as well as, neurodevelopment challenges.
The iLS uses a multi-sensory approach which exercises the muscle and bone in the ear stimulating the vestibular system. This therapy has been purposefully designed to help with neuroplasticity, as it helps re shape the neuronal pathways. This tool not only helps to re shape and strengthen the nervous system, but it also promotes growth of new neurological pathways and synaptic activity. It works by stimulating existing neural pathways, helping them re organise and integrate for better brain and body function.
The specially filtered music is delivered through both air and bone conduction headphones. The air and bone conduction provides auditory and sensory input, which excites the vagus nerve and stimulates the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The iLS is not just sound therapy; it is multi sensory, and incorporates special movement and cognitive activities tailored to each individuals unique needs.
The movement activities provide additional sensory and motor input, which is important for supporting and strengthening body organisation. The cognitive activities help challenge the brain to process layers of information which reflects multi-tasking in everyday life.
The Focus system has been shown to have long lasting benefits as it helps to improve cognitive skills and supports the nervous system through promoting homeostasis. The focus system has been shown to help
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concentration and memory
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emotional regulation
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anxiety
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social engagement
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focus and attention
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spatial awareness
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sensory processing issues
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auditory processing issues
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reading and writing
The iLS has unique programs that work to support different issues. Each program is tailored to each individuals needs. This ensures the therapy is targeting the right areas of the nervous system that needs the most support.
The Sensory and Motor program comprises of 60 one hour sessions which can vary according to each persons needs. It helps with sensory integration, spatial awareness, motor planning, language acquisition and hypersensitivity to sound and environment. Years of research and clinical application show the benefits of auditory training using lower frequencies. Lower frequencies engage the sensory motor system, and the mid range frequencies support communication.
The Concentration and Attention Program comprises of 40 one hour sessions. It blends high range and low range frequencies together. This combination targets the right hemisphere of the brain and helps to enhance mental alertness. The use of the bone conduction also stimulates the vestibular system, and this helps to improve focus and concentration.
The Reading and Auditory Processing program is 40 one hour sessions. This program uses frequencies which target the language areas of the brain. These frequencies stimulate the speech and language centre of the brain which helps with processing, understanding and interpreting different sounds. This program is specifically relevant to decoding, phonics, auditory processing, sequencing and speed processing. It works to support people who struggle with reading and writing, listening, auditory processing and memory.
The Optimal Performance I and II program is 24 one hour sessions each and is designed to help teenagers and adults access higher cognitive centres and consciousness. This program helps release creativity, motivation, inspiration, productivity, and processing speed, and can be particularly beneficial to those who are taking exams or have a major project to conquer. Clinical applications have shown this program influences and improves alertness, awareness, and executive functioning skills.
The Calming program is 10 one hour sessions and can be used before and after any of the other programs to help with heightened auditory and tactile sensory difficulties. It can also help with reducing symptoms of anxiety and stress as the slow tempo music helps with grounding and calming the nervous system. This program also helps with improving sleep.
If you would like to book a session to discuss the iLS further