The Science of Feeling Safe
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a therapeutic music program that helps people feel calmer and safer.
About The Safe and Sound Protocol
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a listening program specially filtered music that stimulates the vagus nerve through the middle ear muscle. It is based on Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory and 40 years of research regarding the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and auditory sensitivities, and the social-emotional processes. SSP is not a medical intervention. It is an acoustic educational program to help calm the nervous system.
Stress, trauma, and other conditions can overload our nervous system, leaving us in various states of fight/flight/freeze, which can impact how we interact with others, our environment and how we feel inside and about ourselves. The SSP is like a workout for your vagus nerve, giving your nervous system more flexibility and resilience.
Safe and Sound Protocol benefits include greater social engagement, more flexible thinking, and improved ability to listen, learn and try new things.
Research-based therapy has shown significant improvement
in the following areas following listening to the SSP:
Anxiety and trauma-related challenges
Inattention
Social and emotional difficulties
Auditory Sensitivities
Sensitive eating difficulties
Reactive/negative behaviors
Difficulties in regulating physiological and emotional states
Clinical diagnosis is not required to benefit from the SSP. However, an assessment of your history is important to discuss prior to starting which will help us determine if individual listening or a group setting would be best for you.
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Serving MA, ME, NH
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A Little About Us
Carol and Linda met at Boston College Graduate School of Social Work in 1990 and quickly became friends. Upon graduation, they each went their separate ways only to unexpectedly meet at a community task force meeting in 1995. They were both so surprised and delighted to see each other again! They resumed their friendship and professional relationship as if they had never parted. For years they shared office space as they began their private practices, and, although their lives have taken them in many different directions, their relationship has grown stronger, continuing both as friends and colleagues. Now they are teaming up again to offer SSP to individuals and groups of both healthcare professionals and others. Linda and Carol became certified in the SSP through their interest in Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory. They both have found it to be an enjoyable, gentle and powerful intervention in treating nervous system dysregulation.
CAROL NICKERSON
Carol works with all ages. Her work is highly influenced by attachment theory, systems theory, mindfulness/self-compassion, and current neurobiology research in the field of trauma. Carol became a Certified Focusing teacher as the trauma-informed care field was growing fast and healing interventions emphasized more body-based approaches. She became certified in the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) through her interest in Steven Porges’ Polyvagal Theory.
LINDA COOKE
Linda specializes in the treatment of Trauma and Dissociation, Eating Disorders, and Pain Management. She is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant; is Certified in and former trainer of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. She is also trained in ISF Neurofeedback, and is Certified in SSP. Linda’s work is guided by trauma-informed therapies, neurobiology, attachment theory, Deep-Brain Reorienting, and the Polyvagal Theory.