WHAT: A 6-week, 18-session group focused on regulating the nervous system through psychoeducation, practical exercises, and administration of either the Safe & Sound Protocol or Rest & Restore music therapy

WHERE: Online, via a secure video platform

WHO: Individuals struggling with anxiety, ADHD, ASD, posttraumatic stress symptoms, sensory sensitivity, misophonia, long COVID symptoms, GI issues, insomnia, or chronic pain

WHEN:  February 18th- March 29th: Tuesdays at 6:30 pm, Thursdays at 6:30 pm, Saturdays at 9:00 am (45 minute sessions)

COST: $75/week (includes access to SSP or RRP playlists and individualized coaching on administration of the music therapy through the duration of the group). $450 total ($400 if paid in full at the beginning)

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Over-the-ear headphones (with no bass-boosting or noise-cancelling features), a smart phone or tablet to access the playlists that utilizes Google Play or iOS apps, an additional device (computer) with camera to join video sessions (via Zoom for Healthcare)

Q & A

What is the SSP? The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a therapeutic intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, a renowned researcher in the field of neuroscience. The protocol is designed to help individuals regulate their autonomic nervous system and improve their ability to process and respond to sensory information.
The SSP is primarily used to address difficulties related to auditory processing, social engagement, and emotional regulation. It involves listening to specially filtered music that has been modified to stimulate the neural pathways involved in regulating the autonomic nervous system. The goal of the SSP is to help individuals become more resilient and better able to cope with stressors in their environment. It has been used to support individuals with a range of conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, trauma, and other sensory processing difficulties.

What is the RRP? The Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) is an innovative acoustic therapy developed by Unyte in collaboration with Polyvagal Music LLC™. Designed as a 'neural exercise,' RRP aims to entrain neural rhythms that support homeostatic functions associated with the dorsal vagus nerve, promoting both mental and physical restoration. The protocol utilizes specific acoustic stimuli to engage the dorsal vagal complex, facilitating a state of calm and promoting the body's natural restorative processes. The RRP can be effective in improving symptoms of GI disorders, sleep disorders, and chronic pain.

What Will We Do in the Group? The group will consist of about 20 minutes of engaging in the music therapy together and 25 minutes of polyvagal exercises and psychoeducation about nervous system regulation. The exercises we engage in will be easy and experiential; sharing your experience with the group is encouraged but not required. We will practice simple shifts in our breathing, awareness, and thought patterns that help regulation become a more natural part of daily life. The repetition of engaging with these skills alone can result in significant nervous system shifts, but the SSP and RRP work on an unconscious level to accelerate moving toward a new “normal” of a ventral vagal (safe & social) state.

Do I Have to Attend all 18 Groups? No, you are not required to attend every group; life is busy and 3 sessions a week is a significant commitment. We recommend attendance of at least 12 of the group sessions to receive the full benefit of the group. We can create an individualized listening plan which may involve SSP/RRP listening with a co-regulator (safe person) on your own. The cost of $75/week remains the same regardless of how many groups are attended as the fee also covers coaching and cost of accessing the playlists.

Why Do I Need to Listen to the SSP in a Group? One of the key principles of Stephen Porges’ polyvagal theory is co-regulation. The SSP is only fully effective when combined with the power of mirror neurons and the regulating power of others’ nervous systems. The SSP has been successfully administered both online and in groups to make the environment of co-regulation more accessible and affordable.