I am very excited to be able to offer this groundbreaking auditory training that helps build the social engagement system that is part of the pre-frontal cortex, helps with emotional regulation, social skills, human connection, a safe emotional state. It works for everyone who is easily triggered, children and adults alike.
The purpose of the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) is to initiate and access a physiological state conducive to well-being, positive engagement with others, and growth in learning and therapy. Rooted in his Polyvagal Theory, Dr. Stephen Porges created the SSP to help people learn to attain a grounded state where they feel safe, connected, calm and social. By helping to access a calm and grounded state, the SSP promotes a neural platform for health, growth and restoration.
Physiological or emotional state is at the root of all behaviour. Some states promote sociability. Some promote tantrums. Others promote shut down.
What is the “just right” state for therapy? It’s the sweet spot where a person is available and motivated for the task at hand.
How do you know when your client or student is in the perfect state for optimal performance? You’ll notice signals in the: eyes (bright and focused); face (content with the ability to express all emotions); voice (capable of prosody or tone changes); body (relaxed but with good muscle tone); and rate of movement (smooth and responsive – not too fast or slow).
These are all indicators of a state of focused, relaxed, and confident alertness optimal for learning and performing with confidence.
State is critical to how we approach the task at hand. So when a client has better state control, not only can they be more socially engaged, they are more open to therapy. Better state regulation improves therapeutic outcomes.
It helps children with emotion regulation, autism, sensory overload, and to overcome trauma responses. It also helps adults who are easily triggered into fight or flight and freeze responses.
Please get in touch to find out more about this groundbreaking new approach to settling the autonomic nervous system!
What an adult client was saying after the program: Thank you, Maya, for offering and working with me on the Safe and Sound protocol. I was surprised at the efficacy of the program and continue being surprised. I had issues with my ears, tone sensitive that was very painful to the point of covering my ears, very concerned about my tone of voice and likely spoke overly softly to compensate along with some other issues. Most of these issues I had since I was young, but I thought it was from grinding my teeth or something else. Prior to doing the Safe and Sound protocol, I had no idea that the the muscles and nerves in the ears can impact processing information and speech. In truth, I'm still learning. Early to mid-way of doing the program, I noticed my ears felt better - not buzzing, plugged and uncomfortable. I wasn't touching and trying to soothe my ears as much. I also had a point where I noticed I could hear better and my voice was clearer and more intelligible to others. I also realized that I used to experience sounds and voices as if I was living in a fish bowl. Now, they are MUCH more comfortable. In the past I've had issues with background noise and would become very bothered by it. Now, depending on the noise I can turn down/off background noise, if I find a person hard to hear. Likewise, I can tune into a person's voice in a way I didn't before. I used to have a saying: “I can't hear you if I can't see you!”. I had focus on their mouths, whereas now I feel like I can really listen to what a person is trying to say. For me the gift of the SSP keeps on giving. I feel like my ears continue to adjust and receive tune ups even though it's been a few weeks since the program. I also continue to feel calmer and exercise more rational thinking. In the past, if an idea came to mind, I'd follow it down the rabbit hole where now I find myself not going there.
I really enjoyed the program, it's a half hour a day a few times a week for about 2-3 weeks. I did it while cooking, doodling or playing games. Spending time with Maya socializing a bit while doing the program really resonated with me and was calming. I definitely enjoyed the play therapy part of the practice. It was nice to take that time to relax and is a habit I'd like to continue. P. W., Halifax
