What is the Safe and Sound Protocol?
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a powerful evidence-based listening therapy designed to help regulate the nervous system, so you can better connect with yourself, others and the world around you. SSP involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider, in-person or remotely to re-tune the nervous system to better support connection, collaboration and resilience.
The SSP stimulates the vagus nerve affecting the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) allowing for the repatterining of neural networks and improved regulation. As a result it promotes a deeper sense of calm and connection; enhancing mental and physical wellbeing.
The SSP has demonstrated clinical benefits for individuals with a trauma history, anxiety, sensory processing differences, Parkison's disease, Long Covid, CFS/ME, stroke and neuro-developmental differences, such as autism, hyperactivity and attention.
A Warm Welcome from Michelle
Welcome, my name is Michelle Doubtfire and I am here to support you on your way to more safety, calm and connection in your life. Supporting you to stronger mental, emotional and physical health. I offer specialist online support using the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) to support your Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), helping your body shift toward greater calm, safety, and connection.
I am a Qualified and Certified SSP Practitioner and RRP Practitioner, Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Trauma Therapist. I specialise in online personal delivery of the SSP and RRP for adults experiencing complex trauma, ill health, fatigue, pain and anxiety or stress.
I use my qualifications in somatic trauma therapy, neuroscience of the mind/body connection and the biology of trauma to inform how I work. I give you knowledge of whats happening in your nervous system and brain, and body exercises to support your continued regulation.
My mission is to help individuals navigate through the SSP or RRP in a safe and supportive environment. I am committed to working with you as an individual; at your pace and supporting you in a way that helps you to feel calm and at peace.
I coach people through SSP and RRP and I also provide therapy with both protocols.
Whether you are being coached through SSP/RRP or we are working together in therapy, we will work towards rebuilding a sense of safety and enhanced physical and mental health.
In order to support you more, I receive supervision from a senior accredited therapist and SSP practitioner and receive guidance from the support team at Unyte in the USA.
Subject to an assessment, I now offer SSP and RRP to those that suffer with chronic symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, illness, anxiety, trauma symptoms and and burnout who are 18 and over.
Certified and Qualified SSP/ RRP Practitioner and Trauma Therapist
Registered Member of a
Professional Standards Authority Accredited Register
Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy
Who can benefit from SSP or RRP?
Since qualifying in SSP, I have seen its profound effect on people's ability to improve their mental health and heal nervous system dysregulation.
SSP has demonstrated many proven clinical outcomes for adults and children:
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with anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic stress;
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suffering from PTSD, CPTSD and trauma from accidents, illnesses, disasters, assault, combat, medical and birth interventions;
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who have suffered sexual, emotional or physical abuse in childhood or as adults;
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with social or sensory difficulties;
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with neuro-developmental differences, such as autism, hyperactivity and attention.
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with chronic conditions such as Long Covid, dysautonomia, CFS/ME, Chronic Pain or TMS Syndrome;
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with neurological disorders such as Parkinson's Disease or Stroke;
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with Lymes disease or mold exposure and
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with social and communication difficulties.
SafeSoundConnected | Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Coaching
My packages are designed for adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, chronic stress, neurodivergent challenges, or long-term health conditions. Sessions are tailored to your individual needs, combining structured guidance with a safe, supportive therapeutic approach.
FAQ
1. What is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)?
SSP is an evidence-based listening therapy that uses filtered music to stimulate the vagus nerve helping regulate the nervous system, improve emotional balance, and support feelings of safety and connection.
2. Who can benefit from the SSP or RRP?
These protocols may support people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, autism, attention and hyperactivity differences, chronic pain, fatigue, Long Covid, Parkinson's Disease and other nervous system-related conditions.
3. How does the SSP work?
SSP works through specially designed sound frequencies that influence the Autonomic Nervous System, helping to reduce stress responses and improve regulation and resilience over time.
5. Do I need an assessment before starting?
Yes. A free initial assessment is offered, followed by a detailed assessment session to determine suitability and create a personalised listening plan.
6. How are the therapy and coaching programmes different?
The coaching programmes support you to listen to your nervous system whilst we work through the SSP/RRP together. For most clients I would recommend that you receive some additional type of talking therapy or bodywork as you do the SSP, but this is not essential to our coaching relationship. Coaching is not therapy and is based on practical support to enable you to regulate your nervous system and psycho-education which helps you to understand your reactions.
For those who need the extra support and choose to work with me in therapy with SSP/RRP, I provide somatic and integrative therapy which can process trauma and works deeper than the protocols alone. As a therapist, I am bound by a strict code of ethics and conduct as a Registered Member of the BACP.
Unyte ( the SSP/ RRP inventors and regulators) clearly state that all providers of the SSP/RRP should have an existing qualification and registration to a governing body before they train to be practitioners. This keeps you safe and means that all practitioners receive supervision /additional support, have a background knowledge of working with client groups who experience severe dysregulation and adhere to a strict code of conduct and ethics.
4. Is the program delivered online or in-person?
Sessions are delivered online, allowing you to complete the program in a safe and comfortable environment from your own home with professional guidance with me online.