The Safe and Sound Protocol
at the Avalon Center for Integrative Therapies
A Neuropsychological Approach to Health and Healing
What is “The Safe and Sound Protocol?”
The Safe and Sound Protocol is a sound therapy that uses specially filtered music. This music interacts with the Vagus Nerve through the ear to shift the listener from chronic states of defense to a state of “safe and connected.”
As a supplment to individual psychotherapy, the Safe and Sound Protocol is shown to help increase the effectiveness of therapy.
The Science
The Safe and Sound Protocol is a a neuropsychological approach to health and healing.
Safe and Sound Protocol was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges based on 4 decades of research. Dr. Porges found a relationship between the autonomic nervous system and our social-emotional functioning. The SSP was designed to reduce the impact of chronic stress and auditory sensitivity, and enhance social engagement and resilience.
Our brain and nervous system is focused first on keeping us alive. When our brain or body (nervous system) perceives a threat, our nervous system shifts into states of defense (fight, flight, or freeze). When a defense state is unable to resolve and becomes chronic, it affects the way we think, feel, and experience relationships with others. This can adversely affect our health and mental health because we are unable to expeirence states of safety, rest, and peaceful connection with others.
Dr. Porges’ research has found that sounds with certain qualities, rhythm, and tones can generate a state of calm alertness. From this state, we can experience opportunities for positive interactions. Through specifically engineered music, this innovative experience stimulates the vagus nerve and elicits a ‘safe and sound’ state in the listener. The nervous system is reshaped to more accurately interpret interpret human speech as well as the emotional meaning of language. In this state, we are more curious, more likely to see others as safe rather than threatening, and more open to connection.
As the SSP shifts the listener’s physiology into a state of neurological safety, the neurological conditions for creating new, positive connections in the brain to occur. Increased integration of the body and mind enable one to hear, feel, see and sense the world and others as benevolent and loving.
For more information on Safe and Sound Protocol go to:
Read about the Science of Safety in this research article by Dr. Stephen Porges.
How the Safe and Sound Protocol Works
The Safe and Sound Protocol is 5 hours of listening administered over a 12-week period.
During these 12 weeks, clients meet with Karen once weekly over Zoom. Clients wear over-the-ear headphones and are supported by Karen and invitations to supportive simple movement during listening.
During listening sessions, clients can expect to begin with an invitation to mindful “landing” in the session and orienting to the space.
When ready, clients are invited to choose their listening volume and then listen to 2-4 songs in a relaxed, comfortable position.
Following listening, clients are invited to pause the music and check-in with Karen, letting her know what you may be experiencing bodily, emotionally, and/or in your thoughts while listening.
Based on client self-report, Karen may invite you to engage in simple movements during the next listening part of the session. These movements are to support nervous system regulation and processing during listening.
Following another listening section, clients again pause and check-in. There may be an invitation to write or draw whatever is coming to mind after listening.
Following the completion of the 12-week listening series, client have 3 months of access to a lightly filtered playlist of music to support integration of the gains made during the SSP.
Is the Safe and Sound Protocol Right for Me?
- have had 6 months of individual therapy
- understands that the SSP is supplemental to individual therapy and will continue with individual therapy during the 12 weeks
- have experience using mindfulness in therapy or on your own
- can witness your internal experience
- understand that our body has a powerful role in creating our emotional reality
- are not currently experiencing trauma, abuse, or addiction
- can committ to 12 weekly sessions
- feels safe and supported at home
What Can I Expect?
- each person’s experience is unique to their nervous system*
- you may have vivid dreams
- you may feel a pinching sensation in your ears as your ear drums tighten to attune to mid-range frequencies
- a decrease in reactivity to emotional situations
- an increase in positive feelings toward social interaction
- more eye contact and friendly facial expressions
- an increased sense of personal boundaries
- an increased sense of “self”
- awareness of what “feels right” for you
- increased feelings of optimism and joy
- other experiences specific to you
*Note: no specific outcome is guaranteed for any client. Outcomes may be impacted by a variety of factors including adverse life experiences during the 12 week period, insufficient support between sessions, and other factors outside of the provider’s control.
Safe and Sound Protocol Offerings at
The Avalon Center for Integrated Therapies
Safe and Sound Protocol for Individuals
Individuals who are not current clients of ACIT may self-refer or be referred by their current individual psychotherapist.
The Safe and Sound Protocol is not meant to be a “stand alone” therapy, but instead a powerful supplemental tool to facilitate the healing process in which a person is already engaged. Participants are expected to continue working with their invidual therapist throughout the Safe and Sound Protocol Process.
Participants will receive an introductory session to help the participant become comfortable with the process and feel prepared to begin the Protocol.
This will be followed by ten (10) listening sessions which will include “landing,” listening, pause and check in, listening, debrief, and transition from the session.
A final twelth (12) session will allow for a review of the participant’s experience and some integrative processing.
Participants will have access to the Balance playlist for ongoing processing and integration for three (3) months following completion of the twelve-week active protocol. Participants will not meet with Karen during this time, but may contact her with any concerns you may have.
The Safe and Sound Protocol may be repeated if the participant desires.
Please see our Fees & Insurance page for information on pricing for this service.
Safe and Sound Protocol for Current ACIT Clients
Current ACIT clients of any provider may elect to add the Safe and Sound Protocol to their ongoing individual psychotherapy treatment.
The Safe and Sound Protocol is not meant to be a “stand alone” therapy, but instead a powerful supplemental tool to facilitate the healing process in which a person is already engaged. Participants are expected to continue working with their invidual therapist throughout the Safe and Sound Protocol Process.
Current clients of Karen will simply incorporate the Safe and Sound Protocol into their ongoing individual psychotherapy.
Participants will receive an introductory session to help the participant become comfortable with the process and feel prepared to begin the Protocol.
This will be followed by ten (10) listening sessions which will include “landing,” listening, pause and check in, listening, debrief, and transition from the session.
A final twelth (12) session will allow for a review of the participant’s experience and some integrative processing.
Participants will have access to the Balance playlist for ongoing processing and integration for three (3) months following completion of the twelve-week active protocol. Participants will not meet with Karen during this time, but may contact her with any concerns you may have.
The Safe and Sound Protocol may be repeated if the participant desires.
Please see our Fees & Insurance page for information on pricing for this service.
Safe and Sound Protocol for Groups
Safe and Sound Protocol Group Healing is offered for individuals with at least six (6) months of weekly individual psychotherapy with a somatic therapy practitioner, or mental health professionals who are trained and working through a somatic lens.
It is important that group participants are familiar with their Window of Tolerance and are well-resourced for self-care and emotion regulation.
Groups offer a lower-cost format through which to experience the healing of the Safe and Sound Protocol while enjoying the additional support of the group.
Groups are limited to no more than five (5) members and are application-only.
All particpants must have an ongoing relationship with an individual psychotherapist.
Groups are for twelve (12) weeks, with one introductory session, ten (10) listening sessions, and one final sharing session.
Group members will have access to the Balance playlist following completion of the active Safe and Sound Protocol. Group will not meet during these three months.
Please see our Fees & Insurance page for information on pricing for this service.