Safe and Sound Protocol – Auditory Therapy

Using music to calm the nervous system

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a unique, technology and research based auditory/listening therapy designed to support the nervous system, improve emotional regulation, and enhance neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to change). It is based on the ‘science of feeling safe,’ Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, which helps us better understand how our thoughts, feelings, and reactions are connected to our body states. Whether or not we are in stress/survival mode (‘fight/flight/freeze/shutdown’) or are operating from a sense of calm and ease (‘rest and digest, tend and befriend’), these states have a more powerful impact on how we feel than most people realize.

‘Listening therapies’ have more commonly been developed to support children; the SSP has entered the clinical world of Psychotherapy as it has been demonstrated to help people of all ages by calming emotional and physiological states, improving communication, and enhancing therapy outcomes. Simply put, when you feel better, you learn better, and you can grow and make changes in the parts of your life where perhaps have felt ‘stuck’ for a very long time.

SSP Pricing

The SSP fee structure is divided into Clinical time and a Digital Access Fee for the Unyte SSP App. Clinical hours are covered by many extended health insurance plans that include the services of Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario.

SSP Self-guided package

$940 CDN

4 Clinical hours, virtual or in-person, provided by Kathleen Francis, RP - $160/hour = $640

1-hour SSP-intake psychotherapy session to determine appropriateness of the SSP

1-hour follow-up psychotherapy session providing psychoeducation of the SSP and first listening experience

2-hours of clinical phone support provided through FOUR 30-minute psychotherapy sessions

Additional virtual sessions can be booked for further support such as therapist-supported SSP listening sessions, checking in, and deeper processing and integration work through other modalities, $160/hour or $80/30-minutes

Unlimited secure messaging support for the duration of your SSP treatment

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Unyte Health SSP APP Digital Access Fee - $300

Provides access to ONE round of SSP Core and other SSP pathways for up to one year

Can be billed as a one-time payment or a 6-month subscription

May be covered by some ‘health spending accounts’ (typically is not covered by extended health insurance benefits)

Includes a free trial of access to the Unyte SSP app for 5 days or up to 20 minutes of SSP listening

Discounted Digital Access Fee annual subscription renewal for those who need more than one year to complete ONE round of SSP Core - $180

SSP Supportive Package

$1260 CDN

6 Clinical hours, virtual or in-person, provided by Kathleen Francis, RP - $160/hour = $960

1-hour SSP-intake psychotherapy session to determine appropriateness of the SSP

1-hour follow-up psychotherapy session providing psychoeducation of the SSP and first listening experience

FOUR (4) 1-hour psychotherapy sessions, virtual or in-person, including supported SSP listening with Kathleen Francis RP

Additional virtual sessions can be booked for further support such as therapist-supported SSP listening sessions, checking in, and deeper processing and integration work through other modalities, $160/hour or $80/30-minutes

Unlimited secure messaging support for the duration of your SSP treatment

+

Unyte Health SSP APP Digital Access Fee - $300

Provides access to ONE round of SSP Core and other SSP pathways for up to one year

Can be billed as a one-time payment or a 6-month subscription

May be covered by some Health Spending Accounts (typically is not covered by extended health insurance benefits)

Includes a free-trial of access to the Unyte SSP app for 5 days or up to 20 minutes of SSP listening

Discounted Digital Access Fee annual subscription renewal for those who need more than one year to complete ONE round of SSP Core - $180

SSP Ultra care package

$1900 CDN

10 Clinical hours, virtual or in-person, provided by Kathleen Francis, RP - $160/hour = $1600

1-hour SSP-intake psychotherapy session to determine appropriateness of the SSP

1-hour follow-up psychotherapy session providing psychoeducation of the SSP and first listening experience

EIGHT (8) 1-hour psychotherapy sessions, virtual or in-person, including supported SSP listening with Kathleen Francis RP

Additional virtual sessions can be booked for further support such as therapist-supported SSP listening sessions, checking in, and deeper processing and integration work through other modalities, $160/hour or $80/30-minutes

Unlimited secure messaging support for the duration of your SSP treatment

+

Unyte Health SSP APP Digital Access Fee - $300

Provides access to ONE round of SSP Core and other SSP pathways for up to one year

-Can be billed as a one-time payment or a 6-month subscription

May be covered by some Health Spending Accounts (typically is not covered by extended health insurance benefits).

Includes a free-trial of access to the Unyte SSP app for 5 days or up to 20 minutes of SSP listening

 Discounted Digital Access Fee annual subscription renewal for those who need more than one year to complete ONE round of SSP Core - $180

Resources

Unyte: SSP Pathways - Connect, Core, Balance

Unyte: The Organizing Principles of Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal Institute: Autonomic Nervous System States (Diagram)

Deb Dana: Beginner’s Guide to Polyvagal Theory

Unyte: Effective Processing and Regulation - The Essential Foundation for Health

Unyte: Nervous System Regulating Activities

Unyte: Nervous System Regulating Activities for Children

Stephen Porges: Middle Ear Muscles Role in Extracting Human Voice (Diagram)

Unyte: SSP My True Self Map (Diagram)

Unyte: Heart Rate Variability Guide

Children’s e-book: Big Feelings Come And Go