Safe and Sound Protocol for Children
Nervous system support for overstimulation, ASD and emotion regulation
Perhaps you recognize this in your child:
Your child is almost always “on.” Everything comes in hard. Sounds, crowds or changes quickly create tension. Emotions run high out of nowhere, or your child actually withdraws. Recovering from a school day or social situation takes a long time. Sleeping is difficult.
“My child is so easily overstimulated.”
“It's like his/her system has no break.”
“We keep running into the same overload.”
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed to help with this: when problems are not just behavioral, but related to how your child's nervous system processes stimuli and experiences safety.
Recognition in children
Parents who come to us often recognize their child in:
“Like the bucket keeps filling up too fast.”
Over-stimulation, ASD and the child nervous system
In many children with overstimulation or ASD, the autonomic nervous system is more sensitively tuned.
That means:
- - Stimuli are experienced more intensely
- - Stress reactions are triggered faster
- - Switching to rest more difficult
- - Emotions rise faster
- - Recovery takes longer
This is not unwillingness. Not a lack of parenting. Not a character problem.
It's neurobiology. Your child's nervous system needs support to:
- Processing stimuli better
- Unwind faster
- Develop more carrying capacity
- Strengthen emotion regulation
What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a clinically developed listening intervention based on Dr. Stephen Porges' polyvagal theory.
Through specially processed music, the middle ear muscles are controlled. These are directly connected to nerve pathways involved in stimulus processing, stress regulation, social engagement, emotion regulation and recovery.
SSP supports your child's nervous system to:
- Less likely to slip into overload
- Switch better between tension and calm
- Feeling more secure in the body
- Develop more regulatory capacity
Not by training behavior. But by supporting and restoring the basic level of regulation and safety in the nervous system.
Our experience with children and SSP
We have been working in health care for over 15 years and have been counseling children, adolescents and families for many years. In recent years, we have counseled more than 1,000 clients online with the Safe and Sound Protocol, including many children with overstimulation, ASD and emotion regulation problems.
Recognizing sensitivity
We know how sensitive pediatric nervous systems can be, how quickly overloading occurs and when microdosing is necessary.
Secure integration
We know how SSP is safely integrated alongside school and therapy, what reactions are normal and when slowing down is essential.
Personalized customization
We do not work with standard programs. We create a personalized listening plan for each child, tailored to age, development, sensitivities, school load and home situation.
Parents are not alone with us. We are easily accessible and always respond within 24 hours, including weekends when necessary.
What parents often notice
Every experience is unique. But many parents notice, among other things:
Not because problems disappear - but because their child's nervous system can handle more again.
Which children is SSP intended for?
SSP can be supportive for children with:
- Overexcitation
- ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
- ADHD (with strong stimulus sensitivity)
- Emotion regulation problems
- Fear and turmoil
- Sleep problems
- Stress-related complaints
Always as support within a broader care framework.
⚠️ When is SSP not appropriate?
Safety always comes first. SSP is not suitable at:
- Active epilepsy
- Psychotic vulnerability or current psychosis
- Bipolar disorder in an unstable phase
- An unsafe home situation
- When there is no quiet, safe place to listen
In these situations, stabilization or some other form of support is needed first. In these cases, please contact us before signing your child up.
How the pathway for children works
Intake (questionnaire) with parent(s).
We carefully identify complaints, sensitivities, strain and goals.
Personal listening plan
Tailored to your child's nervous system and daily life.
Guided implementation
Your child listens at home, with guidance and quick accessibility for parents.
Integration
We support stabilizing changes in daily life.
You don't have to push your child. You don't have to force anything. You don't have to “train” anything.
Your child is listening. The nervous system is given space to tune in differently. The SSP does the work.
1000+ Satisfied Clients
Read more about others' experiences with the SSP
We always go for the best result. Meanwhile, we have more than 1,000 clients successfully guided remotely in their journey to a regulated nervous system. The insights we gained from their recovery processes gained, we use daily to refine our guidance.
Privacy & Security First
The privacy and safety of our clients is our top priority. The experiences below have been shared with permission. To maintain privacy and comply with legislation, the names (except those of therapists William and Shahera) have been anonymized and changed to random names.
Why clients choose our counseling services
Clients come to us with a variety of challenges: from burnout and Long Covid to trauma treatment and sensory overstimulation. Below you can read how they have experienced the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Tranquility, Calmness & Self-Regulation
Many clients report a profound shift in how they respond to the world.
“I noticed physical sensations and traumatic memories came up, but this has made me realize that I need to take rest. I now have less restlessness and a gnawing sense of insecurity. The realization that it is literally in my body was an eye opener.”
“I really notice a difference. I am calmer and sense stimuli much better. I now notice when I'm tired, something I used to ignore.”
“I used to suffer from social anxiety, sweaty hands and heat attacks in groups. Suddenly I noticed that this was much less. My friend called me ‘another Sophie.’ A burden fell off my shoulders.”
“I often fall asleep while listening to Core, but I wake up with a relaxation I've never felt before. My body feels its own again.”
“I feel much more present and calm. It gives me space to make inner decisions before I react to anything.”
Sleep & Energy Recovery
A restored nervous system often means a dramatic improvement in sleep and energy levels.
“I am calmer and sleep better. My blood sugar has even improved after 6 months of SSP and RRP.”
“I sleep super well (really MEGA happy about it) and my energy levels are better. I am recovering from burnout and can exercise again.”
“The support is unexpectedly good. I'm very emotional during periods, but that's part of it. I continue motivated.”
“Small steps worked well. After just a few days I was calmer and persistent digestive problems improved noticeably.”
“I come from far away. Meditation didn't help, but by shifting my attention to hearing, I regain control of my life.”
Children & Family Dynamics
The protocol affects not only the individual, but often the entire family.
“After three hours of listening, he wets the bed less and is much more attentive. He now knows where he leaves his things, something that was impossible before. He is softer and calmer.”
“Within 2 weeks he was daring new things on the playground. After 4 weeks, he was a different child: he plays, climbs and asks for hugs. Even my husband, who was skeptical, is now a ‘believer’.”
“Family life has not been this peaceful in 10 years. My husband is much more relaxed and our son is cooperative and loving. He says every day now that he loves us.”
“The teacher saw that Leo entered the classroom without tension. His self-confidence grew and his motor skills became smoother.”
Deep Healing & Trauma
For clients with complex trauma (CPTSD) or deep dysregulation, the protocols offer a safe way in.
“What I'm also already noticing is that my awareness is changing. I am more aware of myself. My patterns, strategies, thoughts, etc. That's also a little tiring, but I'm able to sustain it well.”
“I experience more 3D and 4D experience; colors are more vivid. It feels like all my senses are getting ‘juice’ again.”
“Everyone with ME/CFS should know about this. It's a gamechanger. I'm not just lying flat anymore, I can do small exercises again.”
“During a retreat, the floodgates opened completely. I finally felt connected to the group instead of disconnected. RRP led me to a soft, deep inner space.”
“As a Zen practitioner, I find that SSP helps me achieve a calmer state in the midst of chronic Lyme symptoms. I feel more space between a trigger and my response.”
“Emotions flow through it without major disruption afterwards. I feel like I would be a different person if I complete the full five hours.”
Feedback about our guidance
We are here to guide you through the tough moments.
“Thank you for your understanding and extended emails, William. It does me a lot. The dorsal tips were super helpful.”
“I am grateful that I found you and that SSP is now financially feasible. The polyvagal theory is key for me.”
“The contact with you guys is always easy and fun. I really feel supported in this process.”
“Thank you for your support and help. After 4 years of not being able to work, picking up a job again feels like a huge victory.”