Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

Do you feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in survival mode—even when you’re trying your best?


If your nervous system is always on high alert, if sounds or sensations feel too intense, or if you struggle to stay calm, focused, or present in your body—you are not alone.

Many of us, especially those navigating neurodivergence, trauma, chronic pain, anxiety, or sensory issues, have nervous systems that are doing their best to protect us… but often stay stuck in fight, flight, or freeze.

That’s where the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) can help.

What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol?

If you’ve ever thought, “Why can’t I just relax?” or “Why does my body feel like it’s always on edge?”—you’re not alone.
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try to think our way into calm, our body just doesn’t follow. That’s because healing doesn’t always start in the mind. It starts in the nervous system.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a research-backed, non-invasive listening therapy that uses specially filtered music to help regulate your nervous system. Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of Polyvagal Theory, SSP is designed to stimulate the vagus nerve—an important part of the body’s internal regulation system.

Think of SSP as a reset for your nervous system. By helping your body feel safe again, SSP makes it easier to be calm, focused, and connected—without needing to talk through everything first.

It’s not a traditional therapy session. It’s not meditation or music for relaxation. It’s a science-based tool that supports real, lasting change—starting from the bottom up.

How SSP Works & Who It Helps

SSP helps train your nervous system to come out of survival mode—and stay in a state where real healing can happen.

During a session, you’ll listen to gentle music that’s been filtered to support nervous system regulation. These sessions are done in a quiet, calm setting, either in person or virtually, and always at a pace that feels safe. No pressure. No expectations. Just a space to notice and support what your body is doing.

SSP can help with:

  • Feeling constantly on edge or overwhelmed

  • Sensory overload (like sounds or textures being “too much”)

  • Emotional reactivity or shutdown

  • Difficulty staying present or connected in relationships

  • Chronic anxiety, trauma, or stress

  • ADHD, autism, OCD, or sensory processing sensitivity

  • Chronic illness or pain flare-ups that worsen under stress

  • Feeling disconnected from your body or emotions

People often report feeling calmer, more grounded, and more in tune with themselves after SSP. It doesn’t fix everything overnight, but it lays the foundation—helping you respond to life with more capacity, clarity, and calm.

How SSP Helps

SSP can gently support:

  • A more regulated nervous system

  • Increased tolerance to sensory input like sound, light, or touch

  • Better body awareness (so you can notice hunger, fatigue, stress, etc.)

  • Improved emotional insight and self-regulation

  • Greater resilience to stress

  • A stronger sense of connection to yourself and others

  • Reduction in chronic pain flare-ups by shifting the body out of high alert

Questions? Complete the form below to contact us!

Meet Your SSP Provider

Hi, I’m Cammie Terry, a licensed psychotherapist and trained SSP provider. I work with teens and adults who are navigating things like ADHD, anxiety, trauma, and chronic stress—and one thing I’ve seen over and over is this:

You can’t heal what your body still thinks is a threat.

That’s why I was drawn to SSP. I wanted to offer something that goes beyond talk therapy—something that gently helps people feel safe in their own skin again.

I bring a warm, attuned, and client-centered approach to every SSP session. I’ll guide you before, during, and after your listening experience to help you stay grounded and supported. Whether we’re in person or meeting virtually, you’ll never be rushed. Your nervous system sets the pace.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)

1. What does a typical SSP session look like?

During a session, you'll listen to specially filtered music through headphones while we create a safe, supportive space for your nervous system to respond and settle. Each session is gentle and tailored to your needs—there's no pressure to talk or do anything specific. You’ll be guided through before and after the listening to help you stay grounded and regulated.

2. How many sessions will I need?

Everyone’s nervous system is different. Some people notice shifts after just a few sessions, while others benefit from a slower, more gradual process. Most clients start with a 5-hour listening protocol that’s broken up into short sessions over several weeks. We’ll work together to find a pace that feels safe and sustainable for you.

3. Is SSP only for neurodivergent individuals?

Not at all. While SSP is especially supportive for ADHD, autism, sensory sensitivities, and emotional regulation challenges, it’s also incredibly helpful for people healing from trauma, living with chronic anxiety, or managing chronic pain or illness. SSP supports the nervous system—so anyone feeling stuck in fight, flight, freeze, or shutdown may benefit.

4. Can SSP be done virtually?

Yes! SSP can absolutely be done virtually. You’ll need over the ear, wireless headphones (not earbuds), a quiet space, and a willingness to pause and check in with yourself. I’ll guide you through the process via video, just like I would in person, and we’ll move at a pace that works for you.

5. What’s included?

When you begin SSP with us, you’re getting more than just a playlist — you're receiving a full, supported experience designed to help your nervous system feel safe, regulated, and connected.

Your SSP package includes:
✔️ 60-minute intake session to explore your goals, symptoms, and build a personalized plan
✔️ 12 months of SSP Core access so you can listen from the comfort of your own device
✔️ Guided listening sessions (in-person or virtual) with a trained provider
✔️ Ongoing support and check-ins to track progress, process experiences, and stay grounded
✔️ The SSP Client Packet – includes helpful guides, psychoeducation, and tracking tools
✔️ Nervous System Regulating Activities eBook – packed with gentle, effective tools to support regulation
✔️ Printable worksheets to deepen insight, build body awareness, and support emotional processing

We’re here to walk with you every step of the way. SSP isn’t just about calming your system—it’s about reconnecting with yourself in a whole new way.

Ready to Feel More Grounded, Connected, and Calm?

If your nervous system has been stuck in fight, flight, or freeze—and traditional talk therapy just hasn’t been enough—SSP might be the missing piece.

You don’t have to keep pushing through. Your body isn’t broken. It just needs a new experience of safety.

✨ Let’s reset your system together.
Reach out below with any questions or click here to book your first session with Cammie Terry, LPC, NCC.

Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) in Ashburn, VA

44075 Pipeline Plaza, #300

Ashburn, VA 20147