social work receipts
— the approach
How the Safe and Sound Protocol works.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) was developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the founder of Polyvagal Theory. It is a five-hour auditory intervention that uses specially processed and filtered music.
The music is designed to provide the nervous system with targeted cues of safety and to engage the social engagement system. When listening in a supportive environment that feels safe, the music can help the auditory system become less attuned to lower-frequency sounds associated with danger and more attuned to the higher frequencies found in the human voice.
The muscles of the middle ear play an important role in this process. They help us tune into voices and other sounds in our environment while filtering out background noise. The filtered music of the SSP are designed to support this natural function of our ears.
Listening to the five-hour long playlist can be spread over several weeks or months, depending on how your nervous system responds. For people with highly sensitive nervous systems, completing the program may take considerably longer.
The SSP offers several pathways: SSP Connect, which uses unfiltered music and can be used as a gentle introduction; SSP Balance, which uses lighter filtering; and SSP Core, the main listening program with progressively filtered music.
I offer the Safe and Sound Protocol alongside psychotherapy or as a standalone intervention.
— how it works
A few things to know
What to expect
You listen to the music through headphones (over-ear, without noise-cancelling). How much you listen and when we take breaks is unique to each person. How much I accompany you directly during your listening sessions or how much you listen independently is something we will decide together after your first session.
Duration
The playlist consists of 5 hours in total and is spread out over weeks or months, depending on your individual nervous system needs.
Location
In person at my practice in Dresden, or online. In most cases, some listening is done idependenty at home between sessions with me.
Could be helpful if you experience ...
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an increased sensitivity to noise and other sensory stimuli
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heightened sensitivity, highly sensitive nervous system
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Online Trauma Therapy for clients in Ontario, Canada and English speakers across Germany
— BODY-ORIENTED APPROACHES
SSP as part of ongoing psychotherapy sessions
If you are primarily interested in psychotherapeutic work with me and would like to go through SSP as part of our sessions, please let me know. We can integrate this right from the beginning or start using it over the course of our work together.
A session never consists solely of listening to SSP. Especially with sensitive nervous systems, a large part of the process involves carefully pacing the experience, noticing and supporting the nervous system's responses, and providing space for processing and integration.
The combination of SSP and Somatic Experiencing can complement each other very well in therapeutic practice.
Independent listening between our sessions occurs in most cases.
Pricing for clients in Ontario:
$220CAD for one-year app access, 180CAD per session (60 min)
Pricing for clients in Germany:
140€ for one-year app access, 95€ per session (60min)
Interested? I look forward to hearing from you.
Guided SSP facilitation without ongoing therapy sessions
The Safe and Sound Protocol can also be used as a standalone tool, without ongoing psychotherapy sessions with me.
A good fit for you if ...
you don't want ongoing psychotherapy, or you are already receiving psychotherapeutic support elsewhere and would like to specifically go through the SSP.
How it works
We start with an onboarding session (in-person or online), where I will guide you through the process and you will begin listening. We will explore your nervous system's responses to find the right pace for you. Afterward, you will continue listening on your own based on my recommendations, supported by email contact and up to 2 additional sessions (if desired) with me.
These 2 additional sessions allow time for a deeper exploration of the music's impact on your nervous system, and Somatic Experiencing methods can be integrated.
Pricing for clients in Ontario:
$790CAD
Pricing for clients in Germany:
485€
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One-year app access
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Onboarding and 2 sessions with me as needed (30-60 mins per session) + email support
Interested? If so, I look forward to hearing from you.
— A few thoughts
The Safe and Sound Protocol and Co-Regulation
Safety and co-regulation play an important role in the Safe and Sound Protocol. For many people, having a trusted person nearby during listening can help create a greater sense of safety and support.
For listening sessions that you do on your own, this might be someone from your family or circle of friends—someone who can simply be quietly present, remain available, and offer emotional support if needed.
At the same time, I’ve found that there is no one approach that works for everyone. What feels supportive, and what kind of support is needed or possible, can vary greatly from person to person and over the course of the process. Sometimes it may feel safer to listen on your own or with a pet, to connect with a trusted person before or after listening, or simply to think of someone you feel connected to while listening.
The most important thing is to find an approach that supports your sense of safety and feels right for you.
My office is too far?
Safe and Sound Protocol Online.
The Safe and Sound Protocol can be delivered effectively online.
Here is what you will need for our online sessions:
A quiet place
where you feel comfortable and won't be disturbed
Laptop or tablet
with camera and microphone
SSP app on your smartphone or tablet
to listen to the music
Over-ear headphones that cover the entire ear, without noise-cancelling technology
for the effective impact of the SSP
Stable internet connection
for an uninterrupted session
— Welcome to my practice
It's wonderful to have you here.
I am Susanne Reinhold.
I am Susanne Reinhold, Registered Social Worker in Ontario and "Heilpraktikerin für Psychotherapie" with a physical practice in Dresden, Germany and an online practice for clients in Ontario.
“Only when we are in a calm physiological state can we convey signals of safety to another person.”
— Stephen Porges
— Questions and Answers
Perhaps you are wondering...
Do you have a question that hasn't been answered here yet? Please feel free to reach out to me using the contact form.
Do I need to be in therapy to use the Safe and Sound Protocol?
I am already in psychotherapy. Can I listen to the SSP during sessions with my therapist?
Can the Safe and Sound Protocol also be done online?
What are the potential benefits of the Safe and Sound Protocol?
Do I need special headphones?
How long does a complete course of therapy take?
Will my health insurance cover the costs?
