Safe and Sound Protocol at Anxiety & Distress
When your body is no longer at rest
You are often restless. Alert. As if something is wrong, even though you don't always know why.
You try to relax, but your body doesn't cooperate. Your head knows it's safe. Your body doesn't feel that way.
“I can't really relax anymore.”
“My body is always on.”
“I rarely feel really calm.”
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed to help with this: when anxiety is not just a thought, but the state of your nervous system.
Recognition for anxiety & restlessness
People who come to us with anxiety and agitation symptoms often recognize themselves in:
“Like my body sees danger, even when it's not there.”
Fear is often not in your thinking, but in your nervous system
When the autonomic nervous system has experienced prolonged tension, insecurity or overwhelm, it may remain stuck in wakefulness mode.
Then your body stays:
- - Threat scanning
- - Activating stress hormones
- - Maintaining tension
This happens largely beyond conscious control. Therefore, talking often does not help enough. Your nervous system then has to relearn how to experience safety.
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, your middle ear muscles are controlled, these are directly connected to the vagus nerve and nerve pathways involved in anxiety regulation, stress processing, emotion regulation, recovery and social engagement.
SSP supports the nervous system to:
- Watch mode release
- Strengthen regulation
- Build a sense of security
Not by suppressing fear. But by helping your body recognize safety.
Our expertise in anxiety & agitation
We have been working in the healthcare field for over 15 years and have been counseling people with anxiety, panic and tension symptoms for many years. In recent years, we have counseled more than 1,000 clients online using the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Deep understanding
We know how anxiety takes hold in the nervous system and how quickly overload can occur.
Careful guidance
We know when microdosing is necessary, how SSP is safely integrated within treatment, and when delaying is essential.
Personalized customization
We don't work with standard listening programs. Together we explore what your system needs to safely allow more peace of mind.
Clients can always reach us with questions or comments. We always respond within 24 hours, including weekends when necessary.
What people with anxiety & restlessness often notice
Every experience is unique. But many clients report among other things:
Not because life becomes problem-free, but because you experience more peace, security and control.
For whom is SSP in anxiety & agitation intended?
SSP can be supportive for people with:
- Anxiety symptoms
- Panic complaints
- Chronic restlessness
- Tension complaints
- Overexcitation
- Stress-related complaints
- Sleep problems
As support within recovery and counseling.
⚠️ When is SSP not appropriate?
Safety always comes first. SSP is not suitable at:
- Active epilepsy
- Psychosis susceptibility or current psychosis
- Bipolar disorder in an unstable phase
- An unsafe home situation
- When there is no safe, quiet listening place
In these cases, stabilization or some other form of support is needed first. In these cases, always contact us before applying yourself.
How the SSP pathway works.
Intake
We carefully identify your symptoms, history, sensitivities and goals.
Personal listening plan
Tailored to your nervous system, carrying capacity and daily life.
Guided implementation
With professional monitoring, support and accessibility.
Integration and follow-up
We help stabilize and deepen change.
You don't have to force anything. You don't have to relive anything. You don't have to analyze anything.
You listen. Your nervous system gets space to reorganize. 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 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.”