Safe and Sound Protocol in Psychosomatic Complaints
When your body gives symptoms with no apparent cause
Your body is giving signals. Tension. Pain. Fatigue. Restlessness.
Studies have shown nothing. There is nothing wrong with you according to these examinations. Yet your symptoms are real. Overwhelming. They affect your whole life.
Perhaps you recognize: chronic tension, unexplained pain, palpitations, gastrointestinal symptoms, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, tightness in the chest, trouble sleeping, or fluctuating physical discomfort.
“It's not between your ears. It's in your body.”
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed to help with this: when symptoms are not always obvious to others, but are related to how the nervous system regulates tension, safety and recovery.
Recognition in psychosomatic complaints
People who come to us often recognize themselves in:
“Like my body is constantly under high voltage.”
Psychosomatic complaints and the nervous system
Psychosomatic complaints are not “imagined.” They are physiological.
With prolonged stress, overload or overwhelm, the autonomic nervous system can become dysregulated. Then stress and protection systems remain active even when there is no longer any immediate danger.
This may affect:
- Muscle Tension
- Pain Processing
- Respiration
- Heartbeat
- Digest
- Sleep
- Energy level
- Recovery
- Resistance
The body then continues to send signals. Not because there is something wrong with your willpower. But because the nervous system has lost safety and regulation.
You can't think this away. 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, the middle ear muscles are controlled, these are directly connected to nerve pathways that affect stress regulation, recovery, emotion regulation, pain processing and autonomic body functions.
SSP supports the nervous system to:
- Getting out of chronic stress activation
- Strengthen regulation
- Activate recovery mechanisms
- Increase the basic sense of security
Not by suppressing symptoms. But by helping the body function differently.
Our expertise in psychosomatic complaints
We have been working in health care for over 15 years and have been counseling people with psychosomatic and stress-related complaints 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 psychosomatic complaints are related to nervous system dysregulation and how quickly overload can reoccur.
Careful integration
We know when microdosing is necessary and how SSP is safely integrated alongside medical and therapeutic pathways.
Personalized customization
We do not work with standard listening programs. Together we explore what your body and nervous system need to safely allow more regulation.
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 psychosomatic complaints notice, among other things:
Not because “everything is gone.” But because the nervous system is no longer constantly overloaded and on.
For whom is SSP in psychosomatic complaints intended?
SSP can be supportive for people with:
- Chronic tension complaints
- Unexplained pain
- Stress-related physical complaints
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Functional complaints
- Depletion
- Sleep problems
- Anxiety and agitation with physical component
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 listening place
In these situations, stabilization or some other form of support is needed first. In these cases, please contact us before you sign yourself up with us.
How the SSP pathway works.
Intake
We carefully identify symptoms, medical context, burden and goals.
Personal listening plan
Tailored to your nervous system, carrying capacity and situation.
Guided implementation
With professional support, monitoring 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 ignore anything. You don't have to suppress anything.
You are listening. Your nervous system is given space to realign. The SSP does the work for you.
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.”