Safe and Sound Protocol at Emotion Regulation
When emotions flood you or just disappear
Your emotions often take over you. Or, on the contrary, they are suddenly gone. They feel uncontrollable.
You know that sometimes your reactions don't fit the situation. But in the moment, you fail to regulate yourself.
“My emotions are taking over.”
“I feel everything too strongly - or almost nothing.”
“My reactions don't fit what I want.”
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed to help you with this: when problems with emotion regulation are not just psychological, but related to how the nervous system regulates safety, stress and recovery.
Recognition in emotion regulation problems
People who come to us often recognize themselves in:
“Like my system has no emotional brake.”
Emotion regulation begins in the nervous system
Emotions don't just arise in your head. They arise in your body.
With prolonged stress, insecurity or overwhelm, the autonomic nervous system can become dysregulated.
Then the system keeps switching faster to:
- Fighting (anger, struggle, defense)
- Fleeing (fear, agitation, control)
- Freezing (closure, anesthesia, emptiness)
In those states, emotions take over. Not because you are weak. But because your nervous system is trying to offer protection.
You cannot solve this with insight alone. Your nervous system needs to re-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 nerve pathways involved in emotion regulation, stress processing, social engagement, recovery and internal security.
SSP supports the nervous system to:
- Less likely to slip into survival
- Increase regulatory capacity
- Bearing emotions better
- Switch back to rest faster
Not by suppressing emotions. But by giving the system more stability.
Our expertise in emotion regulation
We have been working in healthcare for more than 15 years, counseling people with emotion regulation problems in a variety of contexts. In recent years, we have counseled more than 1,000 clients online using the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Deep understanding
We know how emotion regulation is related to nervous system states and how quickly dysregulation can occur.
Careful guidance
We know when microdosing is necessary, how SSP is safely integrated within therapeutic pathways, and when delaying is essential.
Personalized customization
We don't work with standard listening programs. Together we explore what your nervous system needs to carry emotions more safely.
Clients can always contact us with questions or comments. We always respond within 24 hours, including weekends when necessary.
What people often notice
Every experience is unique. But many clients with emotion regulation problems notice, among other things:
Not because emotions disappear, but because your nervous system becomes more supportive.
For whom is SSP in emotion regulation intended?
SSP can be supportive for people with:
- Emotion regulation problems
- Trauma or attachment issues
- Burnout and stress-related dysregulation
- Overexcitation
- ADHD or ASD with strong emotional reactions
- Psychosomatic complaints
- Mood instability
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 listening place
In these situations, stabilization or some other form of support is needed first. In these cases, please contact us before applying yourself.
How the SSP pathway works.
Intake
We carefully identify symptoms, circumstances, coping capacity and goals.
Personal listening plan
Tailored to your nervous system and daily reality.
Guided implementation
With professional support and accessibility when you need it.
Integration
We help stabilize changes in daily life.
You don't have to force anything. You don't have to suppress anything. You don't have to do anything “right.”.
You are listening. Your nervous system gets space to realign. 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.”