By Alanna Hilbink
When we first begin our recovery journey, we may not be ready to make the most of treatment from day one. Wanting to feel better doesn’t necessarily mean we are in the right place to be able to do so. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get there. Some of us just need extra support to feel safe, present, and receptive.
Beginning Your Recovery with Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is one way to support your early recovery. So what is Safe and Sound Protocol? It’s a relatively new treatment supplement created by Dr. Stephen Porges, an innovator in our understanding of the autonomic nervous system and the role the vagus nerve plays in how we think and feel.
Safe and Sound Protocol can make, and has made, a big difference for patients. Our case study, “Integrating SSP group delivery in an inpatient Level One psychiatric facility,” confirms that SSP makes it easier to approach and address all forms of trauma and even creates more “coherent and organized” brainwaves. Patients participating in SSP felt calmer, were less likely to get overwhelmed in treatment, and were better able to manage their emotions and behaviors. They were tapped into their creativity and past hobbies and had greater clarity of thought and better mood.
SSP doesn’t treat mental health or addiction on its own, but it gives you the mental space you need to do so. You can’t get the greatest value out of therapy when you are distracted, out of touch with yourself, or experience great distress when accessing the memories and feelings you need to process to move forward. SSP lets you be present and focused so you can make the most of the resources and time available to you in treatment.
How Does Safe and Sound Protocol Work?
Clinical studies and observations show that SSP is very effective; patient experiences and successes help prove this. But how does Safe and Sound Protocol work?
When we have faced trauma, mental health issues, addiction, or other life challenges, we can get stuck in a loop of autonomic nervous system dysregulation. What this means is that our brains, bodies, and external triggers tell us we aren’t safe.
During SSP, you listen to specifically filtered music designed to signal safety. Why safety? The Safe and Sound Protocol explains that when we have faced trauma, mental health issues, addiction, or other life challenges, we can get stuck in a loop of autonomic nervous system dysregulation. What this means is that our brains, bodies, and external triggers tell us we aren’t safe. When we don’t feel safe, we may have trouble with any or all of the following:
- Eating well
- Sleeping an appropriate amount
- Connecting with others
- Focusing or concentrating
- Expressing our creativity
And when we’re having trouble with any of these areas of our life and health, we experience even more feelings of unsafety. When we’re feeling chronically unsafe, it means we can’t recognize safety cues, be present, prioritize our health, or organize our thoughts and feelings.
When we’re feeling chronically unsafe, it means we can’t recognize safety cues, be present, prioritize our health, or organize our thoughts and feelings.
This loop of unsafe gets in the way of us moving forward. Vice President of Trauma Resolution Services Deirdre Stewart explains how when you enter treatment, you’ve been living in this fear, in flight, fight, or frozen mode. Whether you’re aware of it or not, this mode continues. SSP shifts this fear, which Stewart says helps your nervous system become more available “so that all other modalities can be received and integrated.” This enables you to notice your anxiety, fear, or anger at a distance. You can move from a defensive mental state to an exploratory one, and that’s when real progress and growth can occur.
What Activities Can I Do While Safe and Sound Protocol Is in Place?
When you choose to participate in SSP with The Meadows, you will meet with a group for 90 minutes a day. SSP is a group practice because, as Stewart explains, ”Healing happens in community, neuroscience tells us this.” SSP is usually part of your early treatment so that you can make the most of both SSP and your other treatment modalities. In our study discussed above, SSP was offered for one week of a 45-day program.
That is how SSP may fit into your treatment schedule, but now you may be wondering, What activities can I do while safe and sound protocol is in place? Do I just sit there and listen? The answer is you have choices! You and your treatment team will talk about the best activities for you to take part in during SSP. Some options can include creative pursuits like drawing, painting, movement, or poetry. Or you may get the most out of simply sitting with your sensations and focusing on your physical and mental feelings. Or you may practice several of these to find the ones that work best for you. Your recovery journey can be tailored to include SSP, and SSP can be further personalized to match your unique life experiences and recovery needs and goals.
Where Can I Find Safe and Sound Protocol?
If you’re looking for this in-depth, comprehensive, and personalized care, reach out to us at The Meadows. SSP is now available at the Brain Center at The Meadows, a resource you have full access to as part of our program. Our expert team can also answer any further questions you have about what is Safe and Sound Protocol. This protocol can make a big difference when it comes to your or your loved one’s recovery success. Reach out today to learn more about how we can help you find your personal path to healing from mental health or addiction issues.