F.A.Q

🎧 SSP (Safe & Sound Protocol)

• SSP offers several playlists, each available with the same filtering algorithm — the differences lie in style and familiarity, not in therapeutic strength.  
• The current SSP playlists include:
  • Original: familiar contemporary songs (rock, pop, country, etc.) you might recognize.  
  • Wonder: playful, recognizable songs (often Disney-style) intended to appeal to children (but enjoyable by all ages).  
  • Classical: non-vocal classical music, carefully curated for accessibility.  
  • Freely: ambient fusion, non-vocal, original compositions for a more neutral, wash-of-sound experience.  
  • Groove and Groove Instrumental (no vocals): rhythmic, eclectic mixes of pop/rock, percussion, and instrumental textures.  
• All of these playlists use the same filtering algorithm (in SSP Core / Balance) designed to emphasize specific sound frequencies that support autonomic nervous system regulation.  
• Because the filtering is the same, you’re free to alternate between playlists (for instance, swapping in a classical piece mid-session) — just make sure you match timing so you don’t lose alignment.  

🎼 RRP (Rest & Restore Protocol)

• RRP uses music specially composed for the protocol  
• The pieces are instrumental, designed to support deep relaxation, coherence, and regulation rather than to entertain.  
• The 5-hour RRP sequence is structured:
  • The first 30 minutes is unfiltered 
  • After that, it is divided into three “levels”, each 90 minutes, further split into 30-minute segments.  
• You may find that some levels feel easier than others. It’s okay to stay longer at a level you do well with before progressing.  
• RRP also incorporates Sonocea® Sonic Augmentation Technology, which embeds acoustic parameters tuned to biological rhythms, to more directly support physiological coherence and vagal regulation.  

🔊 NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback

• The music is instrumental, soothing, somewhat ambient in tone — “new age–style” is a common description.
• Occasionally, you’ll hear slight crackles or skips in the audio. That’s not noise or a fault — it’s how feedback is delivered to your brain in real time.
• Otherwise, you’re free to engage in other activities (reading, napping, etc.) as long as the sensors remain attached.

🎶 iLs (Integrated Listening Systems / iLs Focus)

• iLs uses classical music, often paired with sections of Gregorian chanting (for those who enjoy it) to blend musicality with neuro-sensory support.
• The music is intended to integrate with movement and coordination exercises rather than being purely passive.

Both SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol) and RRP (Rest & Restore Protocol) were developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, and while they share the same Polyvagal foundation, they support the nervous system in different yet complementary ways.

SSP – The Safe and Sound Protocol

SSP is designed to help the nervous system feel safe, connected, and socially engaged. It uses music filtered in specific ways to stimulate the middle ear muscles and activate the social engagement branch of the vagus nerve — the pathway that supports calm connection, emotional regulation, and the ability to relate to others.

SSP helps the body shift out of chronic defense states such as fight, flight, or freeze and move toward safety and connection. Many people notice improvements in sound sensitivities, anxiety, mood, attention, and resilience. 

RRP – The Rest & Restore Protocol

RRP builds on the same Polyvagal principles but focuses more on the body’s restorative and recovery systems. The first 30 minutes of RRP are completely unfiltered, while the remaining levels use new, gentle filtering algorithms that were specifically designed to work with the restorative branch of the vagus nerve — rather than the social engagement system that SSP targets.

The RRP music, composed by Anthony Gorry and enhanced through Sonocea® technology, is entirely instrumental and supports deep rest, physiological coherence, and connection with oneself. While SSP fosters connection outwardly with others, RRP fosters connection inwardly — helping the body restore and self-regulate at a deeper level.

How they work together

SSP and RRP complement each other beautifully. SSP tends to open and prepare the system by creating safety and social engagement, while RRP helps stabilize, integrate, and deepen that regulation through rest and restoration.

Some people begin with SSP and follow it with RRP; others start with RRP if their system needs more grounding or help with sleep before reaching outward toward connection. Used together, they create a powerful and holistic path toward lasting nervous system regulation and resilience.

Most people ultimately benefit from both the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and the Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP) - they complement each other beautifully.

We’ll look together at what improvements you most want to see and what your usual nervous system patterns tend to be. From there, we’ll create a personalized plan for where to begin. Often, that includes an intention to add the other approach later. If we find that the first option isn’t feeling quite right once we begin, we always have the flexibility to switch paths.

If there’s a great deal of stress, conflict, or instability in the home, I may suggest starting with NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback instead. It can bring in more regulation and create a steadier foundation to begin from. When multiple family members do neurofeedback together, their nervous systems often start to “sync up” — relationships tend to soften, and daily life feels a bit easier.

Sometimes, beginning with RRP can make it possible to move through SSP at a gentler yet slightly faster pace than might otherwise be possible.

Generally speaking, it’s usually best to do SSP before iLs Focus. SSP helps shift physiology more quickly, which often makes iLs even more effective in deepening and “locking in” the gains.

In the same way, unless there’s a reason to start elsewhere, doing SSP before Neurofeedback often allows the NeuroOptimal® sessions to be more efficient and impactful — people tend to get much more out of the same number of sessions when their physiology has already begun to shift with SSP.

To do SSP or RRP remotely, you will need:

Access to a device for the Unyte Health app.  Suitable devices include:

• Smartphones (either iPhone or Android)
• Tablets (either Apple or Android)
• Newer Macbooks that have the M1 chip
• Chromebooks

Suitableheadphones.  

The specifications for SSP and RRP are different.

For RRP:  Any good quality headphones, speakers or earbuds are fine.  We recommend avoiding laptop or phone speakers. 

For SSP:

• over the ear, with the big padded ear cups that completely surround the ears rather than just sitting on top of them
• they either do not have noise cancellation, or that feature can be turned off
• not bass enhanced
• either bluetooth or wired headphones are fine for most clients
• some children who don't tolerate headphones easily may be more likely to accept "sleep mask" headphones like these

Examples of relatively inexpensive headphones that meet the above criteria are OneOdio A71 or OneOdio A70.  Another alternative is Audio-Technica ATH-M20x

While headphones are considered more optimal for most clients, if you or your child can not tolerate wearing headphones, using speakers is an option.  Using speakers can soften the impact of SSP at time but for some clients that can be really useful.

Earbuds can NOT be used for SSP.

Some headphones and/or speakers may require an adaptor for your device if your device does not have a 3.5mm connector.

If you are going to be listening to SSP during an online session, you will need a separate device for the online session than the one you are using for the SSP app.

For NeurOptimal Neurofeedback

Your NeurOptimal rental system will come with everything you need - no extra equipment needed.

For iLs

I am currently offering iLs through rentals of physical iLs systems that I am able to ship across Canada.  They come with everything you need. 

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When a parent does SSP or RRP first it helps them to have a better idea of what their child may be experiencing during the process.

It also will help the parent to stay better regulated themselves during their child's process. Although we do our best to prevent it, it is common for people to become temporarily dysregulated at times.

It is super important that the parent be able to hold space for their child, not be reactive when at all possible even if the child has moments of seeming more "difficult".   It is imperative that SSP or RRP not become a power struggle and that kids not feel punished if they have a nervous system response that they can't control during SSP.  

It doesn't need to be perfect - parents are allowed to be human and repair work can be done if something goes wrong.

However, the more regulated the parent is, the more likely it is that their child's process will be calmer, gentler and more effective.

The families where I have found it is often especially important for a parent to go first, are families who are dealing with particularly stressful or traumatic conditions, such as misophonia.

Because misophonia is often so traumatic for the entire family and because often the parent is one of their child's triggers, sometimes parents are very anxious at times during the SSP process.

For example they may worry when their child isn't yet showing improvements and fear that they never will.

They may worry when their child IS showing significant improvements that the improvements won't last.

It's normal for improvements to toggle back and forth throughout the protocol and even for a few to several week after completion.

When parents worry a lot throughout, there is a risk that their worry may potentially sabotage the process.  Nervous systems are contagious.

 Nervous systems being contagious also means that the reverse is true - we very often see kids starting to have improvements when their parent does SSP or RRP, even before the child's process begins. :)

At SSP Yoda & Associates we offer family discounts when multiple family members are accessing SSP with us.

Each program works best with a slightly different kind of activity or focus — and part of what we’ll explore together is what helps your nervous system feel safest and most settled.

During SSP

Ideally, SSP listening is an active experience rather than something happening in the background. We want your attention gently on the music, so we avoid reading, writing, or using screens (except for online sessions with a practitioner).

Gentle, mindful activities are perfect — colouring, doodling, simple crafts, playing with fidgets, kinetic sand, or slow stretching. Light movement such as walking or rocking can actually support regulation, especially for adults or those with trauma, as long as the movement stays slow and easy rather than fast or intense.

We aim for a quiet environment, but perfection isn’t required. If a child talks during listening, it’s absolutely fine — feeling safe and supported matters far more than being silent. Many kids (and adults!) chat through SSP and still experience wonderful results.

During RRP

RRP is usually deeply relaxing, so most people naturally become still. You can sit or lie down — experiment with what feels best for your body. Some people prefer to rest quietly, while others like to focus inward or notice sensations in the body as they arise.

During NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback

You can do almost anything as long as the sensors stay attached and the NeuroOptimal® feedback sound remains the main background sound. People often nap, read, do homework, knit, play games on their phone, or even watch TV with the sound off and subtitles on. It’s designed to fit easily into daily life.

During iLs Focus

With iLs, movement is encouraged! Each hour ideally includes around 15 minutes of iLs activities — simple, fun exercises that support coordination and body awareness. The rest of the hour can include everyday activities: kids might play, colour, or build with LEGO; adults might walk, cook, clean, or garden. Gentle movement helps the brain integrate what it’s hearing.

The length of time that someone can listen to SSP or RRP each time and/or how long it takes to complete either process is unpredictable.  

It is also the case that many people who do well with RRP benefit from staying on it.

We really don't know for certain before someone begins, what their ideal pace of listening will be.

The current maximum recommended length of listening session for either approach is up to 30 minutes per day but with the caveat as long as that goes well.

Most people may need listenings sessions that are much shorter than that, in order to keep the process gentle and to have best possible improvements.

Although most often we would expect many people to be able to manage 1-3 minutes of SSP listening at a time, I have had many clients who at some stages of the process may do best listening to just a few seconds at a time - often they will experience fairly immediate and vivid results when doing so.

Some people can complete SSP or RRP safely and gently within a few weeks.

More people than that can complete SSP safely and gently within a few months.

Many more sensitive or medically complex people may need several months, over a year or even more, to complete one round of SSP Core.  They may similarly take a while to go through the RRP process.  

Some people may do best to not go through all of the levels of RRP - level 3 particularly can be quite challenging for many complex people. 

Needing to go more slowly does NOT mean that it will take a long time for improvements to appear.  While everyone is different, most of my clients - especially those who are so sensitive to SSP that they can only handle a few seconds at a time - some improvements may appear within the first few days, often even within the very first listening session.  

Those who need to go very slowly through SSP very often have the most significant improvements of all.

Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)

In theory, SSP is felt to be more likely to be the most effective when listening is done in the presence of someone we feel safe and comfortable with. SSP works by activating our social engagement systems, and when those systems start to come online — sometimes right away, sometimes weeks later — the presence of safe connection can deepen the process.

If someone feels the urge to connect during listening but is alone (or with someone they don’t feel safe around), that can make the experience less supportive.

That said, many people do SSP on their own — either by choice or necessity — and still experience wonderful improvements.  For some people - someone who doesn't feel safe around other humans or feels too self conscious having someone there with them - listening to SSP alone might actually make the process more effective for them, specifically.

Some people listen with their pets, while others connect with a friend or family member before or after a session, or even look at photos of loved ones while listening.

If you’d like additional support, it’s also possible to do all of your listening with me present. In that case, sessions are billed at my usual hourly rate, with just $50 CDN added for your SSP or RRP license, and we simply work together until your listening is complete.

Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP)

RRP tends to bring us more deeply into our bodies — into the places where emotion, sensation, and sometimes old trauma reside. For that reason, it can be especially valuable to have a supportive person present, whether that’s a therapist, practitioner, or trusted loved one.

Most people, however, still do very well listening on their own. The key is to have a flexible plan — someone you can reach out to if deeper feelings arise and you’d like additional support.

Personally, when I do SSP myself, I rarely worry about having someone present. I often listen with my pets nearby (and yes, they listen too!). We all are more relaxed afterward and the pets are extra affectionate. 🐾

Listening to SSP one hour per day, five days in a row is a very outdated recommendation.  

Even back when it was the recommendation, the caveat was that that pace was fine as long as it was tolerated well

It was also never particularly the recommendation for adults and most especially was not the pace recommended for adults (and sometimes children) with trauma.

In June 2020 the recommendation changed to up to 30 minutes per day.  This recommendation change came partly due to the pandemic as we were being bombarded with messages that we are not safe.

It is always fine to take days off from listening and for many people it is quite important to do so.

As Stephen Porges, the founder of polyvagal theory and creator of SSP says himself, there are no prizes for finishing quickly.

The most recent Unyte trainings have explicitly stated we can not go too slowly with SSP but we definitely can go too fast.

SSP Core

When we refer to the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), we’re usually speaking about SSP Core — the main protocol and the one with the most significant level of filtration.

Each of the five hours of Core is filtered differently. We listen to the music gradually and in order, at a pace that you and your provider determine is best for your (or your child’s) specific nervous system.

Some people find the first two hours of SSP Core to be especially soothing and later hours more activating, but then need to go more slowly on hour three and more slowly still on each subsequent hour.

Other people — very often more sensitive and complex people — may find the first two hours the ones they need to go more slowly on, and find that the following hours they can listen at a faster pace.

There is an older video available here where Dr. Stephen Porges explains how the filtration changes across each hour of SSP Core. Please note that SSP is no longer typically delivered over five consecutive days. The current recommendation is to listen to no more than 30 minutes per day, and many individuals benefit from going far more slowly and including rest days throughout the process.

SSP Connect

SSP Connect uses completely unfiltered music and is often used as a gentle preparation for SSP Core.

For example, a young child who is new to music-based therapy or headphones might start with Connect to become familiar with the process before filtration is introduced. While entirely optional, Connect can help the nervous system begin adjusting in a safe, accessible way.

Although there’s no filtering, some people still notice mild therapeutic benefits from Connect. It can also be used after completing Core or as a temporary pause if someone is feeling overactivated during Core — helping them settle before resuming.

Because Connect is unfiltered, it doesn’t matter which track or hour is used, or whether all five hours are completed.

A small number of people — typically sensitive adults or those with trauma histories — may still experience mild dysregulation with Connect. For this reason, it’s best to start slowly. Interestingly, those who find Connect challenging sometimes discover that Core actually feels easier once they transition to it.

SSP Balance

SSP Balance provides mild acoustic vagus nerve stimulation through lighter filtration than SSP Core.

Balance was originally designed as a gentler option for those who don’t tolerate Core well. However, some individuals may still find it activating, and sometimes even more so than Core.

The filtering in Balance is the same across all five hours, so there’s no required order of listening and no need to complete every track.

Balance is most often used after completing Core as a way to extend and reinforce gains. Those who respond well to Balance can continue listening indefinitely. Some also use Balance or RRP between rounds of Core, as it’s important to wait at least eight weeks between Core rounds to allow the nervous system time to integrate and rest.

Each of these modalities supports the nervous system in different ways. They quite often create powerful, lasting change - especially when combined with each other or with other approaches relevant to the individual.  

However, the nervous system will also continue to adapt.  If we get sick, go through traumatic events or have serious losses, that can cause a resurgence of concerns.  

These approaches are ideally best seen as part of an ongoing process of support and integration, not a one-time fix.

SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol)

SSP is designed to be the beginning rather than the end of treatment. It helps shift the physiology into a more regulated state and opens the door for deeper healing and integration.

It’s ideal to follow SSP with something that helps the system consolidate and “claim” the changes that have been unlocked — such as iLs Focus, RRP, NeurOptimal®, Brainspotting, Somatic Experiencing®, or other regulating supports such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychotherapy, etc...

Some people may notice dramatic and lasting gains right away.  For others shifts may be more subtle but are likely to deepen and strengthen on a subsequent round of SSP, often with new improvements appearing as well.

Sometimes we may not be sure if something happened on a first round of SSP.  Most often if those people later repeat the process they are likely to see a noticeable response on a subsquent round.  

RRP (Rest & Restore Protocol)

RRP is still quite new, and as a community we are continuing to learn from it. That said, what I’ve observed so far is that most people not only respond beautifully to it — they often love it so much that they want to stay on it long-term.

The people who benefit most from RRP tend to do well by continuing for an extended period, allowing their system to fully integrate and sustain the changes. That’s why when someone begins RRP with me, ongoing access for up to one year is included in my fee.

Even if they complete the full five hours of listening within the first few months, they’re encouraged to continue using it as needed throughout the year. As long as there hasn’t been a long gap in listening (which could require re-titration), additional time can easily be added at a much lower annual fee for those who wish to keep going.

Just as SSP is meant to open the door to further integration, I suspect RRP functions similarly — serving as a launching point for continued neuroplastic change rather than an endpoint.

iLs Focus System

The iLs Focus System is a longer-term process, designed to strengthen and reinforce neural pathways over time. It’s fine to take long breaks in between different iLs programs, but once a program is started, it’s best to:

• Listen at least 3–5 hours per week, and
• Avoid pausing for more than a few weeks at a time

This consistency supports the nervous system in “claiming” neuroplasticity, helping the improvements become lasting.

NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback

NeurOptimal® tends to produce long-lasting results because it helps the brain learn to self-regulate efficiently on its own. Once the brain learns these new patterns, they generally stay — but life happens. Stress, illness, grief, or trauma can all temporarily unsettle our nervous system.

In those moments, it’s not a setback — it’s simply the brain adapting to new challenges. A few booster sessions with NeurOptimal (or any of the other modalities you’ve responded well to) typically helps the system return to balance quickly.
In summary


These approaches are designed to work together in a flexible, responsive way

SSP and RRP help open the system; iLs and NeurOptimal help strengthen and stabilize it; and gentle body-based therapies like Brainspotting and Somatic Experiencing can deepen and integrate the shifts while also providing someone with tools they can use any time and anywhere. 

Healing isn’t linear — it’s iterative.

When life knocks the nervous system off course, the same tools that helped before will help again — usually even faster the next time.

It really depends — every brain and nervous system is unique.

With any of these approaches for some people, changes happen very quickly, sometimes within days. They may suddenly find themselves calmer, sleeping better, thinking more clearly, or feeling less reactive. For others, the process is more gradual, with subtle shifts that quietly build over time until one day they realize how much has changed.

In general, I tend to see the most rapid and dramatic shifts with SSP, and often with RRP as well — but that’s not a hard rule. Every system has its own rhythm and priorities. For example, while SSP is often considered the one that brings the biggest shifts, one of my own family members actually had their most dramatic improvements with iLs, which we typically expect to progress more subtly at first.

With SSP, I have innovative ways of delivering and titrating the process that I’ve developed through years of experience. These approaches help maximize the likelihood of more vivid improvements and, I believe of potentially targeting specific improvements appearing. If we don’t notice a response right away with SSP or RRP, I’ll “play” with the process — adjusting pacing, timing, or pairing it with other supports if someone is interested in that — until we start to see things shift.

Occasionally, despite our best efforts, the nervous system simply needs time, and in those cases, we gently watch and wait. But in my practice, the vast majority of SSP clients — and often those using RRP — begin to notice improvements within just a few days of starting.

With NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback, some people experience clear results within the first few sessions, while for others, the benefits accumulate over time as the brain learns new, more efficient patterns.

All of these approaches are designed to work with your nervous system. Whether your process unfolds quickly or gradually, it’s moving in the direction of greater regulation, flexibility, and ease.

A little-known fact is that an early name proposed for SSP was the “Sound Sensitivity Program.”

While we can’t guarantee that any one person will experience specific changes — or even that SSP will create improvements for everyone — I find that misophonia and sound sensitivities often improve significantly, and in many cases, they disappear completely.  I often see this within the first round of SSP Core but for some it can take multiple rounds of SSP.

For those who don’t notice a change the first time, other concerns such as anxiety or depression often improve instead — which, in turn, makes living with misophonia easier. With a second round of SSP Core, improvement in misophonia then becomes extremely likely.

It’s important to understand that SSP isn’t a treatment for misophonia or for any specific condition. What it is, is a process that helps the nervous system become better regulated. When that happens, a wide range of challenges — including sound sensitivities and emotional reactivity — have the potential to ease or resolve.

I work with a large number of clients who seek me out specifically for misophonia, and the results are often remarkable.

In fact, one of my family members — who noticed no changes at all after their first round of SSP Core in May 2019 — had their misophonia resolve completely by the second hour of listening on their second round that August. It has never returned.

You can read more about how SSP helps with misophonia and sound sensitivities in my blog article on misophonia.

It’s understandable to wonder about this. These approaches work at a deep level with the nervous system, and when something reaches that depth, it can occasionally bring sensations or emotions to the surface. The good news is that, when delivered with awareness and care, all of these methods can be remarkably gentle and deeply restorative.

SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol)

Any dysregulation that appears during SSP is usually temporary and should stay mild when the pace is adjusted at the first signs of activation. Most rough experiences happen only when someone moves too fast — either because their provider is inexperienced or because they’re trying to “push through.” When SSP is carefully titrated, it can be profoundly calming, even for those who are highly sensitive.

If someone has tinnitus, it’s especially important to proceed gently. SSP can also sometimes reveal what’s already there just below the surface — for instance, tics that were likely due to emerge naturally in a child who is at the age that tic disorders tend to first appear — but SSP can not cause tics in someone who would not otherwise have them.

RRP (Rest & Restore Protocol)

RRP is newer, and we’re still learning from it. It brings awareness deeply into the body, where emotion and trauma may be stored, so it can sometimes bring powerful sensations to the surface. When titrated carefully, it can foster profound calm, emotional release, and a deep sense of inner safety.

​Just as with SSP, ​it is important to use caution with RRP if someone has tinnitus.   

NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback

NeurOptimal® tends to be extremely gentle. A small number of people may notice a temporary uptick in anxiety or mild insomnia at the start as the brain begins to reorganize, but these shifts usually settle quickly — and I’m particularly skilled at helping people through this phase so that it becomes an opportunity for deeper regulation.

iLs Focus Program

iLs is also very gentle. If dysregulation does arise, switching to the iLs Calming Program usually brings quick and soothing relief. Over time, iLs helps the system integrate changes more fully, reinforcing calm and stability.

For more complex nervous systems

People who are more complex — such as those with histories of trauma, brain injury, mold exposure, tinnitus, mast cell activation, or other chronic conditions — do best with a provider who has advanced skill and intuition in this work.

As one of Unyte’s top providers, I’m often sent clients who have had difficult experiences elsewhere so I can help them quickly stabilize and go on to have a safe, enjoyable process. I also train and mentor SSP and RRP providers internationally, teaching them how to recognize and respond to each unique nervous system with precision and compassion.

Over time, I’ve developed specialized tools to help settle activation quickly. One of these is my Mini Reset — a simple yet powerful technique that can calm dysregulation almost instantly while enhancing the positive changes that follow.

While I can’t promise that you’ll never have a challenging day — those moments are often already part of why people seek this work — I can say with confidence that, with the right pacing, support, and attuned guidance, your experience can be safe, empowering, and surprisingly gentle.

If someone is feeling at the edge of what they can manage, or is dealing with complex medical challenges, it doesn’t necessarily mean SSP isn’t an option — but it does mean we need to start very carefully.

For most people, SSP or RRP an be a gentle and positive experience when it’s titrated to their specific nervous system. Many notice that they feel calmer, less reactive, and begin seeing improvements right away. But if someone is already in crisis, highly dysregulated, or medically unstable, we begin slowly — often by microdosing the music to gently “test the waters.”

Microdosing allows us to explore how your system responds to the music in tiny, manageable amounts that build safety rather than overwhelm. I’ve become known for helping even the most sensitive and complex individuals have safe, stable, and often surprisingly fast improvements through this approach.

If at any point SSP feels like too much, I always have my Mini Reset technique available — a powerful method that can settle dysregulation almost instantly while deepening the benefits that follow. And if your system would do better with a different focus, I can easily shift gears into another modality such as RRP, NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback, iLs Focus, or Somatic Experiencing®, depending on what’s most supportive at the time.

Gentle ways to build stability first

• Somatic Experiencing® (SE) can help regulate the body and restore a sense of safety before, during, or after SSP. I offer online SE skills groups specifically for people preparing for, doing, or integrating SSP. Whether you’re working with me or another provider, you’re welcome to join.
• Brainspotting (BSP) is another gentle yet powerful way to help release stored activation or emotion from the body without forcing anything to happen. It can be especially helpful for those who feel “stuck,” flooded, or unable to access calm. Even brief Brainspotting sessions can create noticeable shifts that make SSP or RRP easier and more effective later on.
• SSP Connect can serve as a soft on-ramp, allowing the system to begin settling before moving into SSP Core.
• NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback is a powerful, non-invasive way to support regulation. In homes with stress or conflict, having multiple family members use it often helps everyone feel calmer and more harmonious. I have rental systems available across Canada, and I can refer those in the U.S. or U.K. to trusted colleagues.
• iLs can also be used before SSP. If any dysregulation appears, switching to the Calming Program is often deeply soothing and helps strengthen nervous system resilience.

My approach

My role is to help you or your family member find the right starting point for your system. I specialize in working with complex individuals — including those with trauma histories, brain injury, mold exposure, tinnitus, mast cell activation, and other chronic conditions — and am known for helping people who previously struggled with these methods to go on and have safe, enjoyable, and effective experiences.

Together, we find the safest and most supportive way forward — whether that’s beginning with microdosed SSP, neurofeedback, iLs, SE, or another gentle path. 

The goal is never to push; it’s to help your nervous system feel safe enough to heal.