Safe and Sound Protocol
Virtually in Oregon and Washington. Reset your nervous system from the comfort of your own home. Accelerate your therapy progress and get unstuck.
What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through filtered music.
As a practical application of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to re-tune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration, and resilience.
The SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider, in-person or remotely. The SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences, and more.
The SSP consists of 3 listening programs: Connect, Core, and Balance. Each consists of five hours of music. These may be delivered in 60 minute, 30 minute, 15 minute or smaller segments, depending on the individual needs of the client. Listening segments may occur daily, depending on the individual needs.
For remote delivery, each person needs to have a smartphone and a set of over-the-ear headphones. Clients must be able to turn off any noise-canceling functions. Earbuds or in-ear headphones cannot be used for SSP.
It is recommended not to look at any screens or do any activity that is stressful or would increase your heart rate.
Clients sometimes generally report the following experiences:
More calm, fatigue, and changes in sleep. This may include changes in mood, irritation, increased sensitivity to the environment, changes in taste and hearing senses, movement in somatic symptoms, decrease in chronic pain and tension, and a decrease in typical reactions to those around them.
Amber Caldera, LCSW currently offers the Safe and Sound Protocol as a three-part process that is described below.
SSP Connect
Is a 5 hour listening program of the songs that you will listen to in the core program. Connect is used to get you used to music that you will listen to. It in no way is designed to stimulate your nervous system. Many SSP providers start clients on this pathway to assess their sensitivity to listening, create familiarity and expectancy in the nervous system, gently introduce them to the music, and enhance overall readiness for the SSP.
SSP Core
Music that is altered for specific frequencies and filtrations that stimulate the middle ear. The middle ear then sends direct signals of safety to the mid-brain (where memories and emotions are housed). It is a total of 5 hours and at most can be listened to one hour a day and as small as a few minutes. You will track your nervous system and somatic activation to determine what are good listening time increments. It's important to go at your own pace and listen to your nervous system, and we will discuss this in detail during the intake.
SSP Balance
Is music designed to be listened to after you complete the core program. It does not stimulate your middle ear muscles. It is designed to keep your nervous system calm and has no listening restrictions. We find that people really enjoy listening to this during the post 8 weeks.
Who is it for?
People with the following experiences are likely to benefit from this treatment:
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Social anxiety and general anxiety
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Trauma history including PTSD and Complex PTSD
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Depression
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Attachment challenges
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ADHD
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Autism
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Sensory processing disorders
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Auditory processing disorders
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Emotional dysregulation
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Difficulty with communication
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Hearing sensitivity, overwhelm to sound, aversion to sounds
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Difficulty hearing people speak in noisy environments
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Sensory hypersensitivity
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Poor concentration
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Motion sickness
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And more!
How can it help with trauma recovery?
Trauma disrupts the autonomic nervous system and can result in it being stuck in over-drive, like having your foot wedged on the accelerator in a car when you want to slow down. Or it can be shut down making you withdraw, like trying to drive with the handbrake on.
Both of these types of chronic defense make life feel like a struggle, relationships often feel unsatisfying and hard work. This program tells your system that the threat is over and it is now safe. When your system 'knows' you are safe you will naturally engage more in pro-social activities, play and learning.
It is not recommended to undertake this program if you are in an unsafe situation or if your home environment is very stressful.
Learn more about Polyvagal Theory and the science behind the protocol by watching this video!
What does Safe and Sound cost?
Insurance companies will not cover SSP services. If you would like to participate remotely (even via Telehealth) in the program, you will have to pay out of pocket for the service. This intervention is not covered by insurance, since there is no CPT code to associate it with. If you plan to use your insurance you may participate in the program at a separate cost, while still receiving therapeutic services by the therapist.
The fees for the Safe & Sound Protocol are based on the three phase program design, and allows access for an entire year. The time required for the SSP program can range from 5 days to several months, depending on the individual pace that works best for you.
Packages are for home listening with check-ins. It is required to do one intake/initial listening session with a provider per person.
If you are a current client you can gain a year access to SSP for $400 and integrate it into your treatment.
Safe and Sound Package Cost for Individual SSP
Individual SSP- $600 for 12 month access.
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$400 is the base price for SSP access for a full year. That's just over $30/month.
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New SSP clients are required to attend one online session at the start of the SSP process. The price for the hour intake/listening appointment is $200.
Included in cost:
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Email check-ins Monday-Thursday (I do not reply on weekends but you're welcome to email me still and I will reply on Monday).
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Access to the SSP app for up to 12 months. This includes pre-treatment, CORE treatment, and post treatment maintenance protocols.
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A primer on the Polyvagal Theory and ANS ladder to aide in emotional regulation during the delivery of the remote therapy.
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A bonus eBook for additional vagal toning exercises.
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If you would like access after the full year, it will be another additional $400 and an assessment of your current nervous system and goals.
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**You may need additional listening session with me. Those can range from 30-60 minutes. These are billed at $140/hour, and $70/30 minutes.**
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Additional session can be used for check-ins, provider-supported listening, or additional relevant services and modalities to support coping and regulation.
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Ongoing Support:
Some clients may benefit from a maintenance program called "Balance" which offers less filtered music. This music is available at a cost of $100 a month and does not include evaluations or consultations.
