Safe and Sound Protocol

Safe and Sound Protocol:

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a groundbreaking evidence-based listening therapy designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioral state regulation, and social engagement behaviors through filters music. 

As a practical application of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP acts as a non-invasive, acoustic vagal nerve stimulator, helping to retune 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. Suitable for children and adults, the SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.

The SSP was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, neuroscientist and creator of Polyvagal Theory. It makes it possible to retune the nervous system for better health and wellbeing by delivery of specially filtered music through  that removes high and low frequencies which are often interpreted by our nervous system as cues of danger.

By tapping into the middle ear’s connection to our Vagus Nerve and Social Engagement System, this auditory vagus nerve stimulator can help bring you back into a place of calm and connection, shifting out of stuck states of defense like fight or flight or shut down/immobilization. This shift into more calm and connection and more flexibility in our nervous system response supports healthy engagement in relationships and decreases inflammation in the body which can have great benefit in many areas.

Common Positive Responses Include:


  • Easier and more spontaneous social interaction

  • Better emotional control

  • Improvements in auditory or other sensory sensitivities

  • Improved access to executive functioning

You May See:

  • Greater focus and attention

  • Lower anxiety

  • Better physiological regulation

  • Enhanced Sleep

  • Increased effectiveness of other modalities

The Safe and Sound Protocol is not meant to be a stand alone treatment. It is recommended to be used combined with therapy either with Elizabeth Scott or your current therapist for integration and processing, and can enhance the impact of the therapy you are receiving.

Pricing: There is a flat fee of $350 which includes the Safe and Sound Protocol subscription and between session monitoring. You will also receive an e-book of nervous system regulating techniques. Regular session fees apply for the required intake and integration/joint listening sessions. Oftentimes much of the listening may be able to take place between sessions with at-home remote delivery through the app, depending on how your plan needs to be titrated. Time of delivery varies from person to person. We’ll discuss delivery of SSP together based on your unique nervous system’s needs. Contact me if you are interested about learning more about how SSP combined with therapy may help.