Safe and Sound Protocol at Sensory Processing Sensitivity
When stimuli come in too hard
The world around you is too much. Too loud, too busy, too intense. Stimuli come in harder than they should.
You try to filter, but you don't succeed. You fill up quickly. Recovery takes a long time.
“Everything comes in unfiltered.”
“I get full faster than I can recover.”
“I often feel easily overstimulated,” he said.”
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed to help you with this: when stimulus processing is no longer just a matter of coping, but of nervous system regulation.
Recognition in sensory overstimulation
People with sensory processing sensitivity often recognize themselves in:
“Like my nervous system doesn't have a damper.”
Sensory processing sensitivity and the nervous system
With sensory processing sensitivity, the autonomic nervous system is often more sensitively tuned.
This does not mean that something is wrong. But it does mean that stimuli are perceived as intense more quickly, recovery mechanisms are overloaded more quickly, and the system goes into wakefulness more often.
When this persists for a long time, the nervous system may have difficulty with:
- - Switching to rest
- - Damping incentives
- - Letting go of tension
- - Recovering oneself
You cannot train this with willpower. Your nervous system must be supported to increase regulation and carrying capacity.
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 the nervous system to:
- Processing stimuli more safely
- Less likely to slip into overload
- Switch back to rest faster
- Strengthen basic regulation
Not by “hardening” yourself. But by giving your body more carrying capacity.
Our expertise in sensory sensitivity
We have been working in health care for over 15 years and have been counseling people with overstimulation and sensory processing problems for many years. In recent years, we have counseled more than 1,000 clients online using the Safe and Sound Protocol.
Recognition of overload
We know how quickly sensory overload can occur and when microdosing is necessary so as not to overload the system.
Safe assembly
We know how to safely construct SSP, what reactions are normal, and when adjustment is essential.
Full customization
We never work with standard programs. We tailor the program completely to sensitivities, daily stimulus load, carrying capacity and personal context.
Clients can always reach 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 sensory sensitivity notice, among other things:
Not because the world becomes quieter - but because the nervous system can carry more.
Who is SSP in sensory processing sensitivity for?
SSP can be supportive of:
- Adults with sensory sensitivity
- Children with sensory processing problems
- People with HSP (High Sensitivity).
- People with ASD or ADHD with strong stimulus sensitivity
For complaints such as:
- Overexcitation
- Rapid exhaustion
- Sleep problems
- Tension complaints
- Emotion regulation problems
⚠️ 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 safe, quiet 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 sensitivities, complaints, daily load and goals.
Personal listening plan
Tailored to your nervous system and daily stimulus load.
Guided implementation
With professional monitoring, support and quick accessibility.
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 “train” anything.
You listen. Your nervous system gets 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 processing and sensory overstimulation. Below you can read how they experienced the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and the Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) have experienced.
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.”