Supercharge your Clinical Somatics with The Safe and Sound Protocol

by Emma Clark

If you’re practicing Clinical Somatics, you’ve probably already experienced its remarkable ability to release tension, improve posture, ease chronic pain—and much more.

But have you ever wondered why it works so well? Clinical Somatics retrains your nervous system, teaching it new, healthier ways to contract and release your muscles. Over time, this allows your body to shed old, ingrained tension and poor posture, creating space for freedom of movement and greater ease.

If movement can communicate with your nervous system, to let go of deeply held tension—relieving everything from back pain to anxiety—what other ways might we communicate with the nervous system? And could we tap into even deeper levels of healing?

That’s where the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) comes in. SSP is a listening therapy that uses music to communicate with your nervous system—shifting it out of fight-or-flight or shutdown mode and into a state of safety and connection. Why is that important? Because true healing can only happen when your body feels safe.

In this article, we’ll explore:

• What the Safe and Sound Protocol is and how it works
• Why creating a foundation of safety is essential for healing
• How SSP can complement Clinical Somatics to help you unlock even deeper results
• When you might want to consider adding SSP to your routine

If you’ve been feeling stuck or searching for a way to boost your progress, SSP could be the missing piece in your healing journey. Let’s explore how it works.

Meet Dr. Stephen Porges

The Safe and Sound Protocol was created by Dr. Stephen Porges, a psychologist and professor whose groundbreaking work has reshaped how we think about the nervous system and its role in healing.

Dr. Porges is best known for developing Polyvagal Theory, which explains how our nervous system reacts to stress and safety. His research has revealed how closely our physical state is tied to our emotions, relationships, and ability to stay calm and balanced.

One key takeaway from Polyvagal Theory is the social engagement system—a state of nervous system balance where you feel safe, connected, and regulated. Through years of study, Dr. Porges found that sound could play a huge role in activating this state, which inspired him to create the Safe and Sound Protocol.

What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)?

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a therapeutic listening program designed to help your nervous system find its way back to safety and balance. Using specially filtered music, SSP indirectly stimulates your vagus nerve—a key part of the autonomic nervous system—helping your body move out of survival mode and into a state where healing can happen.

By working directly with your auditory system, SSP retrains your nervous system to recognize and respond to cues of safety. This gentle reset helps your body and mind feel calmer, more connected, and better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

Let’s explore exactly how this works and why it matters.

Polyvagal Theory and the Vagus Nerve

The SSP is built on Polyvagal Theory, a groundbreaking framework developed by Dr. Stephen Porges that explains how your nervous system reacts to stress and safety.[*][*]

Think of your nervous system as having three primary “gears” or states:

1. Ventral Vagal State (Safety and Social Connection): This is your calm, connected, and balanced state. When you’re here, you feel safe and are able to engage socially, regulate your emotions, and heal.
2. Sympathetic State (Fight or Flight): When your nervous system detects danger, it shifts into this state. Your heart races, your muscles tense, and your body prepares to fight or flee.
3. Dorsal Vagal State (Shutdown or Freeze): If the danger feels overwhelming, your body may hit the brakes entirely, leaving you feeling disconnected, numb, or “frozen.”

Ideally, your nervous system moves fluidly between these states as needed. However, chronic stress, trauma, or illness can disrupt this balance, leaving you trapped in fight-or-flight or shutdown mode.

The vagus nerve, a key player in Polyvagal Theory, is central to this process. It’s the longest nerve in your body, running from your brainstem to your gut, and it’s responsible for regulating essential functions like heart rate, digestion, and emotional stability.

By stimulating the vagus nerve through sound, SSP helps your nervous system shift back into a state of safety—the ventral vagal state—where healing, connection, and resilience happen.

Neuroception: Your Nervous System’s Safety Radar

Your nervous system is constantly scanning your environment for cues of safety or danger—a process called neuroception. Unlike perception, which involves conscious awareness, neuroception happens automatically.

When neuroception is working well, your nervous system accurately interprets the world around you, allowing you to respond appropriately to challenges and feel safe when no danger is present. However, trauma or chronic stress can throw neuroception off balance, causing your system to misinterpret neutral or even positive signals as threatening. This can leave you perpetually stuck in a sympathetic or dorsal vagal state, and trapped in a cycle of:

• Anxiety and depression
• Chronic pain and fatigue
• Digestive disorders like IBS
• Autoimmune conditions
• Sensory sensitivities
• Emotional disconnection
• And much more

These aren’t just “mental” or “emotional” issues—they’re rooted in how your nervous system perceives and responds to the world.

SSP works by training your auditory system to pick up on cues of safety—like the calming tones of a friendly voice—helping to reset your neuroception and restore your dysregulated nervous system. This not only addresses immediate symptoms but also creates the conditions for long-term healing and resilience.

The Importance of Co-Regulation

Healing isn’t something we do all on our own—it’s deeply connected to the relationships around us. Humans are wired to find safety and balance through connection, a process called co-regulation. It’s more than just emotional comfort; it’s a biological exchange where one person’s calm helps another’s nervous system settle.

Think about a parent soothing a baby with a soft voice or a gentle touch. That’s co-regulation at work—a shared sense of calm that helps the baby relax. It’s not just for babies, though. As adults, we still rely on co-regulation, whether it’s from a loved one, a close friend, or even your dog curling up next to you.

Co-regulation is a big part of why the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is so effective. While the SSP’s music works on your nervous system, having the support of someone safe—like a practitioner, family member, or even your cat—can take the benefits even further.

During SSP, these moments of connection help your system settle faster and more deeply. It’s like your nervous system gets extra reassurance: “You’re safe. You can let go.” Over time, this connection builds a foundation for long-term balance, making it easier for your body to stay regulated even when challenges pop up.

Putting it all together

So, how does this all come together? The SSP music is carefully filtered to emphasize mid-range frequencies—the kind of sounds we associate with safety, like the soothing tone of a calm voice. These frequencies stimulate the tiny muscles in your middle ear, giving them a “workout” and helping your nervous system tune into cues of safety more effectively.

And when your nervous system feels safe, everything works better—your digestion, sleep, focus, emotional regulation, and even your relationships. By fostering this sense of safety, SSP doesn’t just address symptoms; it helps rebuild the foundation for long-term resilience and well-being.

As you listen to the program and explore healthy co-regulation, your vagus nerve is gently activated, creating regulating effects throughout your body:

• Your heart rate slows.
• Your breathing deepens.
• Your body shifts out of survival mode and into a state of calm connection.

Over time, this process helps your nervous system become more flexible and resilient. You’ll find it easier to move out of fight-or-flight or shutdown states and into a balanced, regulated state where healing can happen.

The Science and Research Behind the Safe and Sound Protocol

SSP isn’t just based on “a theory”—it’s backed by scientific evidence and real-world results across a wide range of conditions. Some of the more common areas of improvement seen with SSP include:

• Emotional Regulation: improved ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences.
• Auditory Sensitivity: Reduction in hypersensitivities to sound stimuli.
• Behavioral Organization: Improved structuring and control of behaviors.
• Social Engagement: Increased interaction and connection with others.
• Stress Resilience: Greater capacity to cope with stressors.
• Sleep Quality: Better sleep patterns and restfulness.
• Attention and Focus: Enhanced concentration and task engagement.

Let’s take a look at some of the data that demonstrates just how SSP clients have relieved some of these symptoms.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD):

A pivotal study[*] evaluated children with ASD using SSP and found significant improvements in:

• Auditory hypersensitivities
• Spontaneous speech
• Behavioral organization
• Emotional control
• Eye contact
• Listening skills
• Social engagement with other children

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

In a 2022 case study[*], a 10-year-old girl unresponsive to traditional interventions experienced amazing improvements in physical movement, communication, and emotional stability after undergoing SSP. Follow-ups confirmed ongoing benefits, including normalized anxiety and depression scores.

Digestive and Sensory Sensitivities

A study with 36 participants, ranging from ages 7 to 50, looked at how the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) helps with sensory hypersensitivity. The results were impressive—participants on the autism spectrum showed noticeable reductions in sensitivities across multiple areas, including sight, sound, touch, and digestion.[*]

Real-Life SSP Wins

Beyond published studies, SSP has brought life-changing results to countless individuals. From easing chronic pain to reducing anxiety and improving social connections, it’s helping people move past survival mode and into a state where healing becomes possible:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

SSP brought major changes for a 10-year-old boy on the autism spectrum. His parents saw a huge drop in sensory sensitivities, making daily life easier. He also became more open to new experiences and started connecting socially in ways they hadn’t seen before. Small steps like spontaneous interactions were big wins for the family.[*]

Trauma and PTSD

A 40-year-old woman living with complex trauma described SSP as life-changing. For the first time in over a decade, she felt genuinely safe. The constant hypervigilance that had been running her life eased up, and she found herself more present and emotionally connected than she ever thought possible.[*]

Anxiety and Social Interactions

A 16-year-old boy with intense anxiety saw his confidence grow with the SSP. Paired with the Integrated Listening System (ILS), SSP gave him tools to better manage his emotions, feel more at ease in social situations, and less overwhelmed by the interactions that used to drain him.[*]

ADHD and Emotional Regulation

A seven-year-old boy with ADHD experienced significant improvements in emotional regulation and awareness after completing SSP. His parents reported that he was better able to manage his emotions, leading to much healthier and happier interactions at home and school.[*]

Long COVID and Chronic Fatigue

A 46-year-old woman struggling with long COVID symptoms—like brain fog, exhaustion, and sensory overload—found huge relief with SSP. It helped her navigate sensory sensitivities, but more than that, she started feeling like herself again. Bit by bit, her energy returned, and so did her ability to engage with life.[*]

Chronic Pain and Fibromyalgia

A musician with fibromyalgia experienced significant reductions in pain and anxiety after completing SSP. She reported improved emotional regulation and a greater ability to engage in activities like walking and singing, which further supported her well-being. SSP also uncovered deeper layers of untreated trauma, providing a foundation for continued healing.[*]

Emerging Areas of Research

But it doesn’t end there. Due to anecdotal evidence of SSP’s ability to support such a broad range of conditions, ongoing studies are exploring SSP’s potential benefits in:

• Chronic Pain Management
• Digestive Disorders
• Autoimmune Conditions
• Sensory Processing Disorders
• Adults with Breast Cancer
• Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease
• PTSD and Depression
• Young adults with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome
• Long COVID
• Children with trauma

These examples show just how versatile SSP can be—not only for improving emotional and social challenges but also for helping the body recover from chronic illnesses and improving overall quality of life.

Who Can Benefit from SSP?

The short answer: almost anyone. Because SSP focuses on the nervous system—a foundation for so many aspects of health—it can support a wide range of conditions, including:

• Anxiety and depression
• Trauma and PTSD
• Sensory sensitivities
• Chronic pain
• Neurodevelopmental and Neurodivergent conditions
• Long COVID
• Sleep issues
• Digestive complaints such as IBS
• Chronic stress and burnout
• Medically unexplained symptoms
• Food sensitivities
• Phobias
• Chronic health conditions
• And much more

SSP can also be a game-changer for those who feel “stuck” in their healing journey. Sometimes, when your nervous system is caught in fight-or-flight or shutdown mode, it’s like hitting a wall—no matter what therapies, diets, or supplements you try.

SSP helps create the foundation needed for healing to take hold, and your body to feel safer and more receptive to other therapies.[*]

What to Expect from an SSP Session and Why Going Slow Matters

If you’ve practiced Clinical Somatics, you’re already familiar with the value of slow, intentional movements. SSP works in a similar way. At our SSP Wellness Center, we emphasize a microdosing approach—breaking listening sessions into tiny, manageable increments tailored to your nervous system’s needs.

Originally designed as a five-hour listening intervention, SSP was originally intended to be completed over a few days. However, a handful of practitioners have discovered the incredible benefits of microdosing—breaking the sessions into tiny, manageable increments tailored to your unique nervous system.

Why go slow? Because your nervous system thrives on gentleness. Rushing through SSP or attempting long listening sessions can overwhelm your system, leading to uncomfortable side effects—or, even worse, no meaningful progress. By taking it slow, we create a safer, more effective experience.

This philosophy aligns perfectly with the principles of Clinical Somatics, where micromovements are recommended for those dealing with chronic pain or heightened sensitivity. Both approaches honor the idea that slow and steady wins the race, creating deeper, more lasting change.

The beauty of this slower approach is that it makes SSP accessible and manageable, even when done remotely from home. By pacing the program thoughtfully, you’re far less likely to encounter side effects, allowing you to fully benefit without the pressure to push through discomfort.

So, what does an SSP session look like? It starts with connection. You’ll work with your practitioner to set the foundation for listening through co-regulation, ensuring you feel safe and supported from the start. Together, you’ll map out a slow, customized plan and begin with tiny increments of listening time. Throughout the program, your practitioner will monitor your reactions and adjust your schedule as needed, helping you find the perfect pace for your nervous system.

The listening itself can be an enjoyable experience. The specially filtered music is fun, with songs you’ll likely recognize—but they’ve been carefully filtered to emphasize frequencies that your nervous system associates with safety. All you need are non-noise-canceling headphones, and you’re ready to start.

The program unfolds at a pace that’s just right for you, often taking a few months to complete. This gives your nervous system the time it needs to integrate each session and build resilience over time.

How SSP Complements Clinical Somatics

Clinical Somatics works wonders by retraining your nervous system to release chronic muscle tension and improve body awareness. SSP takes things to the next level by resetting your nervous system and restoring its sense of safety. When you bring them together, the results can be game-changing.

Here’s how SSP boosts the benefits of Clinical Somatics:

• Prepares Your Nervous System: SSP shifts your body out of fight-or-flight mode, making it easier to dive into somatic exercises. When your body feels safe, it’s more open to the changes happening during your practice, reducing resistance and allowing deeper progress.
• Deepens Muscle Release: By calming the nervous system, SSP encourages natural states of relaxation, amplifying the muscle release you already experience with Clinical Somatics.
• Enhances Proprioception: SSP helps your brain process sensory input more effectively, including the subtle proprioceptive cues that guide your movements. Its auditory training may also boost sensory integration, giving you a stronger foundation for improved body awareness.
• Builds a Lasting Foundation: With a regulated and flexible nervous system, your body becomes more adaptable to change. SSP doesn’t just help in the moment—it anchors the results of your somatic exercises, helping you retain the benefits over the long term.

My Story

We’ve seen some amazing results when clients combine SSP with other therapeutic practices—and my own experience pairing Clinical Somatics with SSP was no different. For about a year, I practiced Clinical Somatics and saw steady progress: releasing long-held tension, easing chronic pain, and gaining better body awareness. But when I introduced SSP into my routine, it felt like my somatics practice got a serious upgrade.

Here’s what changed for me:

• More Awareness of My Body: As SSP helped me feel safer in my own skin, I noticed a huge difference in how connected I was to my body. I could actually tune in to what was happening on a deeper level, rather than just scratching the surface.
• Faster Progress: Before SSP, the shifts I experienced were subtle but steady. After SSP, things really picked up. Changes that used to take weeks or months started happening in days—it was like my body was finally ready to respond fully to the work I was doing.
• Deeper Releases: Instead of just feeling small adjustments, I started experiencing those “wow” moments—feeling tension I’d held for years finally melt away. SSP allowed me to reach layers I hadn’t been able to access before.
• Relief from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: This was a big one. After adding SSP, I saw noticeable improvements in my thoracic outlet symptoms—less pain, reduced swelling, and overall relief throughout my arm, neck and shoulders.

Your nervous system is the foundation for everything—your physical health, emotional well-being, and ability to connect with others. When it’s dysregulated, even the most effective therapies can feel like you’re spinning your wheels.

SSP creates the foundation your nervous system needs to feel safe, calm, and ready to heal. Clinical Somatics then builds on that foundation, helping your body release tension, move freely, and adapt to change. Together, they’re a powerful one-two punch for whole-body healing.

When Should You Consider Adding SSP to Your Somatics Routine?

SSP can be a game-changer for anyone looking to deepen their somatics practice. But how do you know if it’s the right time to add it to your routine? Here are a few scenarios where SSP could be a perfect complement:

• You’ve Been Dealing with Trauma, Anxiety, or Depression: Long-term mental or emotional struggles can leave your nervous system stuck in overdrive—or completely shut down. If you’re in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight, it’s hard for your body to fully embrace the benefits of somatics. SSP helps your nervous system find safety again, laying the groundwork for deeper healing.
• You’ve Hit a Plateau in Your Practice: Sometimes, even with a consistent routine, progress slows down. If you feel like your somatics practice isn’t yielding the same results anymore, SSP could give your nervous system the extra support it needs to unlock the next level of progress.
• You’re Facing Chronic or Unexplained Symptoms: When pain or symptoms don’t seem to budge—no matter what therapies you try—it often points to a dysregulated nervous system. SSP helps shift your body out of survival mode, creating a sense of safety that allows other practices, like Clinical Somatics, to work more effectively.

Adding SSP to your routine isn’t about replacing your somatics practice—it’s about amplifying its effects and creating a stronger foundation for healing.

The magic of SSP lies in its ripple effect—it doesn’t just target specific conditions; it helps create positive changes throughout your entire body.

By regulating your nervous system, SSP can improve digestion, strengthen immunity, enhance sleep, and make other therapies—like Clinical Somatics—even more effective.

Curious about how SSP might complement your somatics journey? We’re here to guide you. With a microdosed approach tailored to your unique nervous system, we can help you build a solid foundation for deep, lasting change.

The SSP Wellness Center offers a monthly essentials subscription, which includes everything you need to successfully complete SSP therapy at home. It’s simple, perfectly-paced, and designed to help you focus on what matters most—your healing journey. This online program is ideal for both adults and children. You can learn more about the program here.