SOUND-BASED LISTENING THERAPY
🎧
The Safe and Sound Protocol
A gentle listening approach
to support safety, connection, and nervous system regulation
“Trauma compromises our ability to engage with others by replacing patterns of connection
with patterns of protection.”
— Dr. Stephen Porges
THE HEALING JOURNEY
Anxiety, overwhelm, shutdown, and emotional reactivity are often signs of a nervous system that has been carrying too much for too long.
What's missing may not be another technique, but a regulated nervous system.
Experiencing SSP in my own life was transformative. It brought greater ease, connection, and resilience, and inspired me to become a Certified SSP Provider.
Since then, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals from many different backgrounds as they reconnect with themselves, restore capacity, and discover new possibilities for healing and growth.
My passion is to hold a safe and supportive space,
where this kind of deep healing and growth can unfold
What is SSP?
More than music —
a pathway to healing
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the originator of Polyvagal Theory. Using specially filtered music, SSP gently stimulates the vagus nerve and supports the nervous system in becoming more flexible and resilient, helping us navigate life's challenges with greater ease and connection.
Suitable for both children and adults, SSP can support a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, sensory sensitivities, sleep difficulties, and chronic illness. Sessions are guided by a certified practitioner who works collaboratively with you, adjusting the pace to align with the natural rhythm of your nervous system.
Accessible from home using a smartphone and headphones, SSP offers a gentle and supportive pathway toward greater regulation, connection, and wellbeing.
Who is SSP for?
Common area of support include:
• Sensory sensitivities and auditory
challenges
• Sleep and digestive difficulties
• Chronic stress, anxiety, depression,
and trauma
• Chronic fatigue and chronic illness
• Long COVID
• CIRS, MCAS, and Multiple Chemical
Sensitivities
• ADHD, autism, and sensory processing
differences
• Focus, attention, and learning challenges
• Substance-use recovery
• Feelings of disconnection or loneliness
Common Outcomes of SSP
Many of my clients notice meaningful shifts in how they feel, think, and connect with themselves and others.
Mind
Improved focus
Greater emotional clarity
Calmer stress responses
Increased resilience
Body
More restful sleep
Easier digestion
Reduced tension
Increased energy
Connection
Stronger sense of safety
Feeling more socially at ease
Deeper, more satisfying relationships
Every nervous system is unique. A free consultation can help us explore whether SSP feels like the right next step for you.
How does the SSP works?
SSP is more than music—it's a guided process that supports your nervous system at a pace that feels right for you.
The Listening
Specially filtered music gently engages the vagus nerve and supports nervous system flexibility and resilience.
The Pace
Sessions are tailored to your comfort level. With SSP, less is often more—going slowly allows your nervous system to integrate the changes.
The Support
You'll be guided by a certified provider who helps you navigate the process with care, flexibility, and ongoing support.
Your Role
Simply listen, notice, and allow gradual change to unfold at a pace that feels right for you.
The program can be completed in person or remotely and is tailored to your unique needs.
What does the SSP journey look like?
This short video from Unyte Health offers a helpful overview of the SSP process and what you can expect along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The SSP uses music that many people find familiar and enjoyable. The music is specially filtered using a patented algorithm that enhances the frequencies involved in human speech and social communication.
Rather than simply listening to music, your nervous system is receiving specific auditory cues designed to support regulation, connection, and resilience.
For those who prefer a different listening experience, a gentle classical playlist is also available. It retains the essential therapeutic features of the SSP while offering a more trauma-sensitive option for some individuals.
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Your body knows the pace that’s right for you.
With the Safe and Sound Protocol, we move gently—often beginning with just 10–15 minutes of listening at a time. Many people complete the program within 4–6 weeks, though every nervous system is unique.
Rather than following a fixed schedule, we listen to your body's responses and adjust the pace accordingly. Benefits often continue to unfold long after the listening experience is complete.
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As your certified SSP provider, I will guide you through every step of your journey—from preparation to completion. Together, we'll create a listening plan tailored to your needs, and I'll be available to answer questions, provide education, and support you along the way.
Throughout the process, I carefully monitor your responses and adjust the pace as needed to ensure your nervous system feels supported. My goal is to create a gentle, effective experience that allows you to receive the benefits of SSP at a rhythm that feels right for you.
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Once your SSP account is set up and the app is installed on your device, your role is simple: be present, listen, and notice what arises—whether that’s body sensations, emotions, shifts in mood, or changes in energy. You don't need to do anything "right" or force an outcome.
At times, I may invite you to explore simple practices such as breathing exercises, gentle movement, journaling, or creative expression. These activities can support integration and help you develop practical tools for everyday life.
The most important thing is to approach the process with curiosity, patience, and self-compassion, allowing your nervous system to unfold at its own pace.
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No. The Safe and Sound Protocol is designed to be delivered with the guidance of a trained SSP provider.
My role is to support you throughout the process, create an individualized listening plan, monitor your responses, and adjust the pace as needed. This helps ensure the process unfolds smoothly, safely, and in a way that is tailored to your unique nervous system.
Together, we'll move at a pace that feels right for you, allowing the benefits of SSP to unfold in a supported and sustainable way.
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To listen to the Safe and Sound Protocol, you'll need a good-quality pair of over-the-ear headphones and a compatible device (iPhone or iPad).
Headphone requirements:
Over-the-ear headphones with padded ear cups
No earbuds
No bass enhancement
No noise-cancelling features (unless they can be turned off)
In some situations, speakers may be appropriate. If you'd like to explore that option, please contact me before beginning the program. I'll be happy to help you choose an appropriate pair of headphones if needed.
Stories of Healing & Change
“Many of my clients come to me after years of struggling with chronic conditions — from mold illness and Lyme to other complex health challenges. Here are some of the ways their lives have shifted through our work together.”
“As someone living with chronic health challenges, I felt hopeless and stuck. Valerie’s genuine care gave me the strength to move from overwhelm to clarity. With her support, my nervous system finally calmed, and I felt at peace in my body for the first time in years.”
— Kate H. New-York
“The SSP changed my life. As someone with ADHD, I was used to feeling scattered and disconnected. With Valerie’s gentle guidance and support, I was able to slow down, focus, and feel more connected to myself and others. I’ve never experienced that kind of clarity before.
—Isabelle L. Canada
“ After years of living with Parkinson’s, I feel more resilient and steady in my body. The SSP gave me hope — and Valerie’s ability to pace the sessions to my comfort made all the difference.”
— Cathy H. HI
“Anxiety has been part of my life for years, and I wasn’t sure anything could help. With SSP, I finally feel calmer and less reactive. Valerie’s support was everything — she listened deeply and guided me with such care that I never felt alone in the process.”
— Paul M. CA
“SSP helped me soften. For the first time in a long while, I could connect with my family without feeling so on edge. Having gentle tools and Valerie’s genuine attention & guidance during and between sessions made the benefits last well beyond the music itself.”
—Erica M. CA
Choosing to begin the Safe and Sound Protocol
is a meaningful step, and having the right guide makes all the difference.
Welcome, I am glad you are here
Through my work with The Mindful Mover, I have had the privilege of supporting many people as they navigate chronic stress, illness, trauma, life transitions, and the many challenges that arise when the nervous system has been carrying too much for too long. Again and again, I have witnessed the remarkable capacity of human beings to adapt, heal, and find their way toward greater balance and resilience.
Having faced my own health challenges, I know how easy it can be to lose hope when you've been struggling for a long time. I also know that healing often begins with small, gentle shifts that gradually open the door to meaningful change.
My intention is not simply to guide you through a protocol, but to walk alongside you with care, curiosity, and respect for your unique experience. Together, we create the conditions that allow your nervous system to settle, reconnect, and discover new possibilities for well-being.
The capacity for healing is not something we need to force or create. It already exists within us. Sometimes it simply needs the right support, the right conditions, and the right amount of time to unfold.
Above all, I want you to know that you don't have to navigate this journey alone.
Let's Begin with a Conversation
Every nervous system is unique. A free consultation gives us the opportunity to connect, explore your goals, and determine whether SSP is the right fit for you.
Find the SSP Program—
that works best for you
Essential Path—$480
A simple, streamlined option for those who feel
comfortable moving through SSP with a high degree
of independence. Includes onboarding,
30 days of program access, and light support
along the way.
Self-Guided Path—$780
Designed for those who appreciate having more
time, flexibility, and support throughout the process Includes 6 months of program access, onboarding,
and gentle guidance while allowing you to move
at your own rhythm.
Full Support Path—$1500
Includes unlimited access to the program for a full year, along with personalized support, somatic practices, nervous system education, and ongoing
co-regulated one on one guidance.
Ready to Embark on Your Healing Journey ?
Beginning SSP is a meaningful step towards increasing your nervous system resilience. If you’d like to find out whether it’s the right fit for you, let’s connect.
I’d love to answer your questions and help you take the next step toward calm, safety, and connection.