Safe & Sound Protocol

What is the Safe and sound Protocol?

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a gentle, evidence-based listening program developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of Polyvagal Theory. It is designed to help your nervous system feel safer and more at ease. It uses specially filtered music to support the parts of the brain that help us relax, connect, and feel present in our lives.

When the nervous system has been under stress for a long time, it can get stuck in survival mode—always on edge, shut down, or overwhelmed. SSP works through sound to help the body slowly shift out of those patterns and into a state where calm, connection, and healing are more possible.

You don’t need to talk about your past or “do” anything for SSP to work. You simply listen, at a pace that feels right for you. Many people experience SSP as subtle but meaningful—supporting a sense of safety from the inside out.

At Realign, SSP is offered with care and guidance, so the process feels supportive, intentional, and tailored to your unique nervous system.

How can it help?

The Safe and Sound Protocol supports healing by working directly with the nervous system rather than through effort, insight, or willpower. By helping the body experience a greater sense of safety, SSP can create meaningful shifts that support emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

Many people use SSP to help with:

  • Chronic stress and anxiety

  • Emotional overwhelm or shutdown

  • Trauma and nervous system dysregulation

  • Difficulty with connection, trust, or communication

  • Sensory sensitivity or sound sensitivity

  • Challenges with focus, sleep, or emotional regulation

Many clients experience benefits such as:

  • Improved nervous system regulation

  • Reduced stress and anxiety

  • Greater emotional resilience

  • Enhanced social connection and communication

  • Improved focus, sleep, and overall regulation

  • Increased body awareness and self-trust

  • Support for deeper therapeutic work

Because SSP works gently and bottom-up, benefits may unfold gradually and uniquely for each person. At Realign, the process is always paced with care, support, and respect for your nervous system’s timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones over a series of sessions. Sessions can be done in short segments and paced to your nervous system’s needs. Some people notice subtle shifts right away, while others experience changes gradually over time.

    Experiences vary, but may include:

    • Feeling calmer or more grounded

    • Increased emotional awareness

    • Improved connection, focus, or sleep

    • Temporary emotional or physical sensations as the nervous system adjusts

    At Realign, SSP is offered with professional support to help you navigate your experience safely and comfortably.

  • SSP is considered safe and gentle when delivered by a trained provider. That said, because it works directly with the nervous system, it can bring up sensations or emotions as the body reorganizes. This is why guidance and proper pacing are essential.

  • SSP may not be appropriate—or may need modification—for individuals with certain conditions, including:

    • Active psychosis

    • Severe dissociation without adequate support

    • Uncontrolled seizures

    • Acute mania

    A brief screening and conversation is always completed before starting SSP to ensure it’s a good fit and to determine the safest approach for you.

  • No. SSP does not require talking about past experiences or reliving trauma. It works through the nervous system rather than through verbal processing, making it a supportive option for those who feel overwhelmed by traditional talk therapy or who want a more body-based approach.

  • Yes. SSP often works best when paired with other supportive practices. At Realign, it may be integrated with individual talk therapy, EMDR, brainspotting, or other holistic services to support deeper and more sustainable healing.

  • At Realign, the Safe and Sound Protocol includes a one-time subscription fee of $133, which covers the full listening program. If you’re participating virtually or prefer to use your own equipment, you may need to purchase compatible headphones, which typically range from $20–$30.

    SSP listening sessions are gently integrated into your regular therapy sessions. If you’re using insurance for therapy, those sessions will continue to be billed to insurance as usual.

  • SSP is appropriate for all ages, from young children to adults. Each protocol is individualized and adjusted based on age, sensitivity, and nervous system needs. At Realign, we carefully assess fit, pacing, and support to ensure the experience feels safe, empowering, and supportive—whether for you or your child.

    If you’re unsure whether SSP is the right next step, we’re happy to talk it through with you and help you decide what feels best.

  • You may benefit from the Safe and Sound Protocol if you often feel overwhelmed, anxious, shut down, or “stuck” in your reactions—even when you logically know you’re safe. SSP can be especially helpful if stress feels stored in your body rather than just in your thoughts.

    SSP may be a good fit if you:

    • Feel easily overstimulated or on edge

    • Struggle with anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or burnout

    • Have difficulty relaxing, sleeping, or focusing

    • Notice patterns of shutdown, people-pleasing, or reactivity

    • Want a gentle, non-talk-based way to support healing

    SSP meets you where you are. There’s no pressure to process or perform—it simply supports your nervous system in feeling safer so change can happen more naturally.

  • SSP is designed to be safe and supportive for all ages, including children and teens. Because it works through listening rather than talking, many children find it easier and more comfortable than traditional approaches.

    Children may benefit from SSP if they:

    • Have big emotional reactions or frequent meltdowns

    • Struggle with anxiety, transitions, or separation

    • Are sensitive to sound, touch, or stimulation

    • Have difficulty with focus, regulation, or social connection

    • Seem “on edge” or easily overwhelmed

    For children, SSP is always paced gently and offered with close support. The goal is to help their nervous system feel safer—not to push change before they’re ready.

Our Partnership with Unyte

Realign partners with Unyte Health, the official provider platform for the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), to deliver this service safely, ethically, and in alignment with best clinical practices.

Unyte is the organization entrusted with distributing SSP and supporting trained providers worldwide. Through this partnership, Realign is able to offer SSP using secure technology, up-to-date protocols, and professional oversight that prioritizes client safety and nervous system regulation.

This collaboration ensures that:

  • SSP is provided by a trained and authorized provider

  • Sessions follow evidence-based guidelines

  • Your experience is paced, supported, and personalized

  • Progress can be monitored and adjusted based on your nervous system’s responses

By partnering with Unyte, Realign can offer the Safe and Sound Protocol as part of a comprehensive, nervous-system-informed approach to healing—grounded in science, compassion, and care.

To learn more from our partners at Unyte, check out this website: https://www.whatisthessp.com

Why does Realign offer SSP?

At Realign, we believe lasting healing happens when the nervous system feels safe enough to change. Many people understand what they want to work through, but their body is still stuck in survival mode. SSP helps bridge that gap.

We offer the Safe and Sound Protocol because it aligns deeply with our holistic, nervous-system-informed approach to mental and emotional wellness. SSP can be a powerful standalone support or a complementary tool alongside counseling, hypnotherapy, sound healing, and other integrative services we provide.

Our role is to guide, support, and help you listen to your system with compassion—at your pace, with care, and without overwhelm.