Feeling Stuck in Fight, Flight, or Freeze? How the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Can Help
Have you ever felt like your body is always “on guard” — even when nothing dangerous is happening? Or maybe you find yourself shutting down, zoning out, or feeling disconnected right when you need to focus.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many people living with anxiety, ADHD, trauma, or chronic stress struggle with these patterns. It’s not that your willpower is weak — it’s that your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.
At Authentic Connections Counseling in Ashburn, VA, we offer a unique approach to help: the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP).
🌟 What is SSP?
The Safe & Sound Protocol is an evidence-based listening program developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, the founder of Polyvagal Theory. It uses specially filtered music to gently “tune” the nervous system, helping it shift out of chronic fight, flight, or freeze states.
Think of it like a reset button for your body’s safety system. Instead of always bracing for danger, your nervous system learns how to calm, connect, and focus again.
🌿 Who Can Benefit from SSP?
SSP has been shown to support children, teens, and adults who are navigating:
Anxiety and constant worry
ADHD-related overwhelm and focus struggles
Trauma and emotional dysregulation
Shutdown or dissociation (“numb” or “checked out” feelings)
Sensory sensitivities (sound, touch, crowded environments)
Sleep issues or feeling “always on”
If you’ve tried talk therapy and still feel like your body isn’t catching up to your brain, SSP may be the missing piece.
🌟 How Does It Work?
The program is simple but powerful. Here’s what it looks like at ACC:
Intake & Mapping: A 90-minute session where we review your history, goals, and how your nervous system is currently responding.
Listening Phase: You listen to filtered music through the SSP app in short, safe doses — either in-office or at home.
Guided Check-Ins: Brief sessions help track progress, adjust pacing, and layer in calming tools.
Integration: You’ll learn how to bring this nervous system reset into your daily life — from sleep routines to relationships.
Most people complete SSP in 4–6 weeks, though we tailor the pace to your body’s needs.
🌿 Why Choose ACC for SSP in Ashburn, VA?
Not every practice offers SSP — and not every provider integrates it with holistic, trauma-informed care. At ACC, you’ll be guided by Cammie Terry, LPC, NCC, ADHD-CCSP, an SSP-trained clinician with experience in somatic therapy, ADHD, and trauma.
We go slow, center safety, and make sure you feel supported — whether you’re doing SSP as a stand-alone program or alongside therapy.
🌟 SSP Program Options at ACC
We offer three levels of support so you can choose what fits best:
Self-Paced Program ($500): Includes 1-year SSP access, orientation, and a check-in.
Guided Program ($900): Includes intake, 1-year access, 3 check-ins, and digital support tools.
Premium Support ($1,200): Includes intake, 1-year access, 5 integration sessions, and priority scheduling.
SSP is a self-pay program (not insurance-eligible), though many clients use HSA/FSA cards.
🌿 Is SSP Right for You?
If you’re tired of feeling stuck in stress, shutdown, or overwhelm, SSP may help you reconnect with calm, focus, and safety in your own skin.
You don’t have to just push through — your nervous system can learn a new way.
✨ Ready to explore if SSP is a fit?
Book a Free SSP Consult today with Authentic Connections Counseling in Ashburn, VA.
