safe & sound protocol (SSP)

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), developed by Stephen Porges, is a listening-based program that supports nervous system regulation and a sense of safety in connection.

SSP is offered alongside counselling-based therapeutic support and is not a stand-alone service. It is approached gently and collaboratively, with careful attention to pacing, consent, and individual response.

The protocol may be used with children, adolescents, and adults. Each person’s experience is unique, and participation is guided by ongoing conversation, observation, and choice.

Why Some People Choose The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)

Many people come to SSP when their nervous system has learned to stay on high alert — even when things are “okay” on the outside.

This can look like:

  • feeling easily overwhelmed or on edge

  • difficulty settling or winding down

  • heightened sensitivity to sound or social interaction

  • challenges with connection, communication, or focus

  • strong reactions that feel hard to control

SSP doesn’t aim to change who someone is. Instead, it supports the nervous system to feel safer, which can make everyday experiences feel more manageable over time.

What The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) May Support

Some people who participate in the Safe and Sound Protocol notice changes in areas such as:

  • emotional and social engagement

  • comfort with listening and sound

  • stress responses and recovery after stress

  • attention, presence, and participation in daily activities

Experiences vary, and there is no expected or guaranteed outcome. The SSP does not diagnose or treat medical or psychological conditions.

How The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Works

The Safe and Sound Protocol is informed by Polyvagal Theory and focuses on supporting regulation through auditory input.

Participants listen to specially filtered music designed to emphasise frequencies associated with the human voice. This process is intended to gently support engagement and regulation, rather than push or override the nervous system.

Delivery is gradual and tailored to the individual. Sessions are monitored closely, and pacing is adjusted in response to how the participant is feeling and responding.

How The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Can Support Different People

Children

For children, SSP may support:

  • feeling safer in connection with others

  • increased tolerance for sound, noise, or busy environments

  • greater ease with transitions and daily routines

  • improved capacity to engage in play, learning, and relationships

SSP is always offered in a way that honours the child’s cues, comfort, and consent. Caregivers are supported throughout the process.

Parents and Caregivers

For parents, SSP can be supportive by:

  • reducing the sense of constant alert or overwhelm

  • supporting steadier emotional responses

  • increasing capacity to pause and respond rather than react

  • making co-regulation with children feel more accessible

As parents feel more regulated, it can become easier to offer calm, attuned support to their children.

Adults

Adults may experience SSP as supporting:

  • greater nervous system steadiness

  • improved tolerance for stress and social interaction

  • increased sense of presence and connection

  • more ease in relationships and daily demands

SSP is not about fixing or changing personality — it supports the conditions that allow regulation and resilience to emerge naturally.

What to Expect

During the SSP, some participants may notice temporary changes such as:

  • increased sensory awareness

  • emotional responses

  • fatigue or changes in energy

  • shifts in attention or engagement

These experiences are explored and supported within the therapeutic relationship. Participation is collaborative, and consent is ongoing throughout the process.

RESOURCES

Important Information

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is delivered as part of counselling-based and art-informed therapeutic support and is not offered as a stand-alone service.

For NDIS participants, SSP is offered only where it aligns with plan goals, funding approval, and reasonable-and-necessary criteria. Funding eligibility is determined by the NDIS or plan manager and cannot be guaranteed.

  • SSP is delivered by a practitioner trained and authorised to provide the Safe and Sound Protocol.

  • Delivery is individualised and provided alongside therapeutic support.

  • Participation is voluntary and suitability is considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • SSP is informed by emerging research relating to auditory processing, nervous system regulation, and social engagement. It is not a standalone intervention and is offered as part of a broader therapeutic framework.

  • SSP is not a replacement for counselling, psychological care, or medical treatment.