Safe and Sound Protocol Therapy in Scottsdale, AZ

What is the Safe & Sound Protocol?

If your nervous system feels constantly on alert, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) may help support greater regulation and a renewed sense of safety.

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a listening-based intervention designed to support nervous system regulation. At Mind Body Healing Collective in Scottsdale, SSP is offered by Dr. Amy Bjorkman as part of an individualized, trauma-informed approach to care.

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and based on Polyvagal Theory, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) uses specially filtered music delivered through headphones to provide auditory input designed to support regulation of the autonomic nervous system.

SSP may be considered for children and adults experiencing concerns such as anxiety, emotional reactivity, social engagement difficulties, and auditory sensitivity. Because SSP is not appropriate for everyone, individual circumstances and readiness are considered before beginning the program.

New to nervous system healing?

Learn how trauma and chronic stress affect the nervous system in our Understanding Trauma & Healing Resource Center

The intervention uses specially filtered vocal music designed to emphasize frequencies associated with the human voice. The music is heard through headphones in the office or through a digital app while participating in a calm activity.

What to Expect from the Safe and Sound Protocol

SSP is designed to support nervous system regulation through structured listening sessions. Individual responses vary, and changes may occur during the program or continue to develop over time.

SSP is intended to complement—not replace—appropriate therapeutic care. Depending on your individual needs, it may be used alongside psychotherapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or other forms of support.

Unlike traditional talk therapy, SSP does not require you to discuss traumatic experiences in detail during the listening sessions. The focus is on auditory input and supporting nervous system regulation.

The Safe and Sound Protocol can also be paired with body-based approaches. Learn more about Somatic Experiencing® and how it supports greater awareness of nervous system responses and physical sensations associated with stress and trauma.

Given that the SSP is designed to be an adjunct to therapy, it is necessary to be in therapy while participating in the listening program. If you are not currently in therapy, we will schedule 5-7 individual therapy sessions following the end of your listening program to process the work. (*The fee for these sessions are not included in the base price of the SSP; they will be billed at Dr. Amy’s regular therapy hour rate.)

Who Might Benefit from SSP?

Stephen Porges first began using the SSP with children with autism, resulting in sometimes remarkable changes. Now we know that SSP can also benefit individuals with:

• Auditory sensitivity
• Chronic anxiety
• Depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Relationship difficulties
• Social anxiety
• Separation anxiety
• Behavioral acting out
• Anger
• Learning problems
• Sleep problems (due to worry and ruminating)
• Self medicating (overeating, shopping, gambling)

Important Fit and Safety Considerations

The Safe and Sound Protocol is not appropriate for everyone. Because the listening program can affect nervous system responses and emotional experiences, individual circumstances and readiness should be considered before beginning SSP.

Dr. Amy will help determine whether SSP is an appropriate fit for you. Additional consideration may be needed when someone is experiencing:

• Living in a home or work situation that is not currently safe
• Current life upheaval
• Trauma that has never been addressed in therapy
• History of disassociation
• Ongoing substance abuse
• Current self harm

How does SSP work?

The first thing to understand is the importance of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS is best described as our “personal surveillance system”, always determining and responding to the question “Am I safe?”

If our ANS is continually aroused through trauma or toxic, chronic stress, the muscles of our middle ear shift away from listening for human voice and instead listens for low-frequency background noises in preparation for the need to respond (fight or flight). This makes us much less able to be socially engaged and much more likely to be reactive.

The specially calibrated music in SSP trains the auditory pathways to focus on the frequency of human speech and to tune out the frequencies of background noises. Once the ear begins to work more normally, we are more available for social engagement (we must feel safe to be socially engaged) and thus can experience the safety of our relationships much more fully.

The Details

The SSP is a five day auditory intervention. Two additional days are added to the beginning and end of the listening program for preparation and integration. The protocol also includes elements of expressive art therapy to further enhance the effectiveness of the listening program. The 7-day in-person program takes place in our Sensory Spa, a space designed to provide a comfortable environment during the listening sessions.

If you are participating in the SSP via telehealth, you will need to provide your own set of over-the-ear headphones as well as some art supplies.

Each listening session is 120 minutes; the first and last meetings are 90-120 minutes. The entire investment in the Safe and Sound Protocol is $4000*, which includes 14 total hours of time as well as a three-month subscription to the listening program for continued support of the nervous system upon completion of the SSP. 

Whether you are in the office or using the digital app, Dr. Amy will be present during all listening sessions.  Sessions are encouraged to be scheduled as close together as possible.

We are also offering The Sensory Spa to help support nervous system regulation.

*Should the SSP administration exceed 14 hours, additional time will be billed at Dr. Amy’s current hourly rate.

Interested in the Safe and Sound Protocol? Contact Mind Body Healing Collective to learn more and determine whether SSP may be an appropriate fit for you.

Have more questions?  Dr. Amy was able to present how and why she utilizes SSP in her practice.