Hilltop Therapy

Who is it for:

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In our experience, SSP is beneficial for individuals who face challenges with nervous system regulation, social engagement, learning and attention. 

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What is it:

The Safe and Sound Protocol or SSP, is a five-hour listening therapy designed to help reduce stress and regulate the nervous system,  while enhancing social engagement and resilience. By calming the physiological and emotional state, the door is opened for better connection with yourself and others, and more successful therapy.

The Safe and Sound Protocol, or SSP, is developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. Based on Dr. Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, the program is derived from nearly four decades of research on the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and social-emotional processes. It is designed to stimulate nervous system regulation by exercising and systematically challenging the auditory system with specifically processed music.

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How does it work:

This non-invasive intervention involves listening to music that has been processed specifically to retune the nervous system (regulating state) to introduce a sense of safety and the ability to socially engage.

Through the specially filtered music, the SSP sends cues of safety to your nervous system, building the foundation for awareness, embodiment and resilience. As the individual processes these specially designed sound frequencies, they improve the functioning of cranial nerves that are important for the regulation of the nervous system.

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Following successful completion of the intervention, individuals are often better able to focus in school, therapy, and everyday life and experience a calmer emotional and physiological state.  This is based on studies that suggest that skills such as attention, state regulation and the ability to engage socially will be enhanced.

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Emotional and physiological state are critical to how we approach the task at hand. So when an individual has better state control, not only can they be more socially engaged, they are also more open to therapy. Better state regulation improves therapeutic outcomes.

The SSP’s effectiveness has been proven in a wide range of studies, most notably in two clinical trials involving children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Read about them here and here. Trial participants demonstrated statistically significant improvements in:

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• Emotional control

• Behavioral organization

• Hearing sensitivity and listening

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