ABOUT THE SAFE AND SOUND PROTOCOL

SSP is a therapeutic approach grounded in music, designed to alleviate dysregulation stemming from conditions such as Sensory Processing Disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, sleep disturbances, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and misophonia, among other factors that contribute to overactive or underactive emotional responses. It aims to diminish auditory sensitivities and enhance speech processing capabilities. The primary objective of SSP is to soothe the autonomic nervous system, thereby enabling individuals—whether children or adults—to be more socially active, engaged, and attuned to their emotional requirements. Additional advantages of SSP might encompass enhanced digestive health, better sleep quality, and improved vocal quality.

SSP serves as an effective tool for assisting children in navigating significant life changes, including but not limited to embarking on their educational journey, relocating to a new home, or embarking on family vacations. This music-based therapeutic approach facilitates a smoother adjustment during these pivotal moments and lays a solid foundation for children to engage more effectively in additional therapeutic interventions. By leveraging the calming and regulatory benefits of SSP, children can become more adaptable, resilient, and prepared to embrace new experiences and therapies with increased confidence and ease. This makes SSP an invaluable asset in supporting a child’s emotional and psychological well-being during times of transition, ensuring they are ready to face new challenges and integrate into different environments or therapeutic settings more harmoniously.

The Safe and Sound Protocol has profoundly impacted the brain and central nervous system, leading to its successful incorporation into a diverse array of therapeutic programs and interventions. These programs often target enhancements in cognitive functions, language skills, and social competencies. As the protocol helps organize the brain/body connection, individuals are better equipped to interpret and interact with their surroundings. This improved processing capability fosters greater confidence, happiness, and engagement in daily activities and social interactions, demonstrating the comprehensive benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol in fostering well-being and development.

By helping to access this calm and grounded state of mind, the SSP platform will promote improvement and growth in the following challenges.

• Acute trauma
• ADD/ADHD
• Adrenal dysfunction
• Anxiety and trauma-related challenges
• Attachment issues
• Autism
• Auditory sensitivities
• Depression
• Down Syndrome
• Emotional regulation difficulties
• Inattention
• Learning disorders 
• Misophonia
• OCD
• PANS/PANDAS
• POTS
• Sleep disorders
• Social & emotional difficulties
• Stress-related conditions
• Stroke
• TBI/Brain stem injury

and many more benefits...

Return to a place of balance, homeostasis, connection, regulation, and safety with the Safe & Sound Protocol. Children pick up the feelings around them, and in today's stressful environment, it often leads to a continuous cycle of disruption between the children and the parents. Our services offer affordable support for the family or on an individual basis. Through an initial assessment and consultation, we will provide the necessary psychoeducation to help you on this journey. Playlists, including popular musical tracks or classical, are suitable for adults and children.

Communication is vital during your listening journey. Listening instructions will be provided and should be followed along as we determine where you are after each session. It is essential that you follow the instructions for listening time and that you do not rush to listen. In many cases, less is more per listening session. 

Over-the-ear (circumaural) headphones are required for an immersive sound experience. If you or your child have a hard time with headphones, you may try using bone-conduction headphones.

• Do not use inner ear headphones. 
• Avoid headphones with a bass-boosting feature (or turn it off). 
• Avoid using noise-canceling headphones (unless the noise-canceling feature can be turned off).
• Once you test and set the volume, you mustn't adjust the volume on your device at any point during the session.
• No chewing of crunchy foods during listening or in a setting where there is loud noises.
• You may also want to put your divide on "do not disturb" to avoid any disturbance during your listening experience.

It would be best to refrain from using your electronic devices as a pastime during your listening journey, except by turning on the unit-iLs app for your SSP listening journey.

As you listen to your sessions, you are encouraged to do things that keep you calm and safe, such as gardening, coloring, cooking, baking, puzzles, using Play-Doh, building Legos, drawing what you hear in the music, crafting, etc. Most importantly, follow the guidance and communicate after your sessions for proper guidance throughout your listening experience.

As the listener, all that is required of you during a session is to listen to the music and let your provider know of any feelings or sensations, whether emotional or physical, that may arise.

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Your provider may also have you engage in light activities during your listening sessions, such as stretches, breathing exercises, or drawing. Be sure to communicate closely with your provider so they can adjust your listening plan to suit your needs.

As your provider, Mariel Ruiz-Escasena will guide you on your SSP journey. She is trained to ensure you are ready even before you start listening to the music and will recommend an individualized listening plan. 

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During the listening, we will monitor your progress and ensure you are not completing the program too quickly or too slowly. We will support and work with you to find the right pace and conditions for the optimal listening experience for your SSP journey.

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If you are a parent or caregiver, you may be the primary listening partner for your child. Follow your provider’s instructions for what activities to do and how to guide your child.