Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing

From Polyvagal Theory pioneer Dr. Stephen Porges comes a new resource sharing the origin and best practices of his groundbreaking new protocol, and highlighting real-life stories of transformation and healing.

We all want to live and share our truth, but when we don't feel safe, it can be impossible to fully express or even know who we really are. The nervous system impacts daily well-being, to our benefit or detriment. Understanding how may be key to truly knowing yourself and better supporting the challenges holding you back. "When the nervous system regains its capacity to feel safe," say Porges and Onderko, "individuals can express themselves genuinely, engage comfortably with others, and embrace a life of greater openness and ease."

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a groundbreaking therapy based in Polyvagal Theory, which looks at the role the autonomic nervous system and vagus nerve play in regulating health and behavior. SSP involves listening to music that's been filtered to prioritize frequencies of human speech, providing auditory input that enables the nervous system to reset to its homeostatic state.

Porges and Onderko offer a glimpse into this innovative approach, highlighting not only the origin of SSP and its best practices but also real-life stories of transformation. They showcase clinical evidence demonstrating SSP's impact on emotional dysregulation, social interaction difficulty, and auditory sensitivity, providing a comprehensive understanding of its therapeutic potential. Some features and conditions addressed include:

- Depression
- Perfectionism
- Addiction
- Suicidal ideation
- COVID recovery
- Navigating gender identity
- Living with Parkinson's disease
- Hypermobility
- Autism
- ADHD
- Dyslexia

Whether patient, family member, friend, or clinician, you'll find a deeper understanding of the nervous system and tools for a more resilient experience. Illustrating the incredible range of application and how autonomic regulation can lead to significant improvements--from stress and anxiety to grief and trauma--Safe and Sound demonstrates how SSP can promote a state of safety and calm, facilitating the foundation for long-awaited healing.

Author: Stephen Porges, Karen Onderko
Publisher: Sounds True
Published: 04/22/2025
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781649632340

About the Author

Stephen W. Porges, PhD, is author of The Polyvagal Theory and creator of the Safe and Sound Protocol. He's a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina and Distinguished University Scientist at Indiana University, where he's founding director of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium. Visit stephenporges.com.

Karen Onderko, a cofounder of Polyvagal Institute, helped bring the Safe and Sound Protocol from the research lab to clinicians, who then enabled people to experience the benefits of improved nervous system regulation.