Rest and Restore Protocol and Safe and Sound Protocol

Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a passive listening method of to bring the body into greater regulation and reshape the nervous system through auditory channels. More recently, a second tool was developed by the SSP family (Unyte iLs) : Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) in 2024. It’s so much easier than talking, for some folks! Your therapist will know which technology is best for your body.

SSP /RRP involves listening to music that has been carefully attuned and researched to bring in a deeper experience of safety. If our system is not used to feeling deeply safe, as happens in trauma, we then slow down and adjust delivery. Designed and patented by Stephen Porges, PhD, the originator of Polyvagal Theory and one of the foremost trauma researchers in the field, these easy listening options supports the treatment of PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, neurological dysregulation, tinitus, audio processing or other hyper/hypo sensitivities, social engagement difficulties, misophonia, motion sickness and selective mutism.

SSP/RRP will be experienced first in sessions, later at home. Any time spent listening with support of your practitioner or discussing the effects of the experience are all billable as sessions in your usual way, same rate (ie paid by insurance), but a very small technology fee for the music is not. SSP is shown by research to be effective at all ages; RRP is so far only tested on adults. For children, there is a playlist of child songs available. We are finding strong results with this method and are excited to add this important boost to your healing.