The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a listening therapy that helps regulate the nervous system. This can be especially helpful for neurodivergent teens who struggle with anxiety or navigating their emotions.
Family First and Unyte Health—providers of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)—have teamed up to deliver a deep dive explaining how the SSP can be used to help neurodivergent teens.
Understanding neurodivergence in adolescents
Neurodivergent people process information differently from neurotypical people. This makes it more challenging to navigate a world that was designed for neurotypical people. Many neurodivergent teens are diagnosed with one of the following:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- ADHD
- AuDHD (combined autism and ADHD)
- Learning differences like dyslexia
- Sensory processing issues
What does it look like in daily life?
If your teen is neurodivergent, there’s a good chance they struggle with sensory and identity issues, anxiety, and emotional regulation challenges. You might notice:
Meltdowns or rage attacks
Trouble reading social cues and facial expressions
Sensitivities to light, sound, textures, or food
Difficulty keeping friendships
One-sided conversations and interrupting
Intense shyness or overexcitability
Masking their true selves to fit in
These aren’t character flaws—they’re a mismatch between a world built for neurotypical processing and your teen’s nervous system. Neurodevelopmental symptoms commonly span behavior (impulsivity, hyperactivity), cognition (attention, memory), and social/communication differences.
What parents tell us at Family First
Parents of neurodivergent teens tell us daily about some of the most challenging situations they deal with:
- Social anxiety and masking: Teens act fine in public, then melt down at home from the effort of masking and missed social cues.
- Emotional dysregulation: Frequent meltdowns, difficulty calming, and “overreactive” responses to everyday stressors are common when the nervous system is on high alert.
- Sensory challenges: Everyday things—crowded cafeterias, itchy clothes, certain food textures—can be overwhelming, driving avoidance and shutdowns.
- School refusal: Anxiety can make kids avoid certain classes or even school altogether, leading to academic struggles and absences.
Professional interventions, like the Safe and Sound Protocol, can be incredibly effective in supporting regulation and resilience. We work with families to find personalized strategies and treatments that fit their unique needs—no one-size-fits-all solutions.
The clinical basis of the Safe and Sound Protocol
Unyte is the exclusive provider of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a listening therapy created by Dr. Stephen Porges based on decades of research, most notably his polyvagal theory.
- The polyvagal theory: The mind and body are connected through the vagus nerve, the longest nerve in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), stretching from the brainstem to the colon. The ANS controls things like heart rate, digestion, and breathing, and influences physiological states, like our defensive or safe states. Stimulating the vagus nerve can help the ANS relax, allowing people to feel safer.
- Unyte’s specialized audio: The SSP uses special technology to process music in a way that gently engages the middle-ear muscles and the vagus nerve. The filtered audio helps shift the nervous system from a “defense” mode (like feeling anxious or shut down) to a “safe” mode (feeling calm and ready to engage).
Rebecca Knowles, OTD, OTR/L, RYT
Director, Research, Education, and Quality at Unyte Health
“The Safe and Sound Protocol is a safe and effective adjunct intervention for neurodivergent teens and young adults who may need support accessing a socially engaged and regulated nervous system state,” says Rebecca Knowles, an occupational therapist and Director of Research, Education, and Quality at Unyte. “The SSP is a gentle program designed to integrate with and enhance other healing approaches to accelerate therapeutic outcomes. Different from traditional talk therapies, there’s nothing you need to ‘do’ or ‘say’ to experience the benefits.”
Why we use it
The SSP can help neurodivergent teens feel calmer, more focused, and better able to handle sensory input. It supports social connection, helps them engage with therapy and school, and makes family life smoother and more comfortable. Backed by science and trusted by professionals, SSP is a powerful tool for real, lasting change.
Evidence for SSP in neurodivergent populations
The SSP has been shown through real-world evidence to be an impactful intervention used to support individuals experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and psychosocial challenges.
- Anxiety: In a sample of 752 people with at least moderate anxiety symptoms, 85% reported an improvement with the SSP.
- Depression: In a sample of 543 people with at least moderate depression symptoms, 81% reported an improvement with the SSP.
- Trauma: In a sample of 390 people with at least moderate trauma-related symptoms, 87% reported an improvement with the SSP.
- Psychosocial challenges: In a sample of 219 children with at least some challenges with psychosocial functioning, 84% reported an improvement with the SSP.
Clinical application at Family First
At Family First, SSP is offered to neurodivergent teens in structured levels of care and always delivered or supervised by trained providers.
- Where it fits: The Nest (residential program for neurodivergent boys 12–18) and the Pinnacle Day Program to support regulation so teens can access therapy skills, schoolwork, and life-skills coaching.
- Why it helps: Our programs target the very domains where neurodivergent teens struggle—executive functioning, advocacy, social confidence—so improving nervous-system readiness accelerates real-world progress.
- Our stance: We celebrate neurodiversity; we don’t “fix” teens. We teach strategies and build environments that fit their brains.
Family First and Unyte Health: A case study
In a published case study, Kyra Firestone, LCSW, shares her experience delivering the SSP to Sam (pseudonym), 12, who struggled with trauma. As a child, Sam suffered from neglect and abuse, leading to hypervigilance and deep mistrust of others. He experienced chronic impulsivity, suicidal ideation, and severe symptoms of both anxiety and depression, and his stress responses included self-harm, property destruction, and explosive outbursts.
After several SSP sessions, Sam exhibited both quantitative and qualitative improvements:
- On the BBCSS scale, Sam’s score decreased from 86 out of 200 to 23, indicating greater nervous system stability through physiological stabilization.
- His score on the GAD-7, or the anxiety scale, reduced from 12 to 6.
- Likewise, on the depression scale, the PHQ-9, Sam’s score decreased from 11 to 4, demonstrating a significant improvement in his overall mental well-being.
“The SSP offered a unique entry point for regulation that traditional talk therapy alone could not provide. By targeting the physiological state first, Sam became more receptive to therapeutic interventions and capable of sustaining engagement,” says Firestone. “I found that prioritizing safety and collaboration helped build trust and consistency in our work together. This experience reinforced the importance of addressing the nervous system as the foundation for therapeutic change and reminded me that progress often begins with the body before the mind can fully engage.”
Kyra Firestone, LCSW
Is the Safe and Sound Protocol safe?
For many people, the SSP is safe and effective. Some people have reported fatigue, headaches, and emotional side effects (similar to what might be experienced after intensive therapy sessions). Additionally, when starting, some people may not be able to tolerate the audio for longer than a few minutes. That’s why it’s so important for the Safe and Sound Protocol to be delivered by professionals trained by Unyte. Family First clinicians receive continuous training from Unyte to continue delivering the SSP safely.
Protocol delivery for neurodivergent teens
Safe and Sound Protocol sessions are pretty simple. A teen and a trained therapist sit together and listen to the audio programs while co-regulating.
What it looks like:
- Listening sessions are delivered via the Unyte Health app, using over-ear headphones that present the therapeutic frequency range in music. We can also adapt sessions for teens who have a harder time wearing headphones.
- Setting: A quiet, low-demand room—often with sensory supports (weighted items, low light). For some teens, short, frequent sessions work far better than long ones.
- Co-regulation: A trained provider stays close to monitor activation and pace. They’ll talk to the teen when appropriate to help them explore any feelings, sensations, and emotions that arise.
- Adaptations for teens: Shorter sessions, frequent breaks, predictable routines, visual timers, and options for movement or fidgets between segments are all available. We’ll bring what your teen needs to each session so they’re comfortable and engaged.
Candidate screening and contraindications
All Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) providers complete required training before delivering the listening therapy. SSP is designed to be delivered within a supportive therapeutic context, and candidate screening helps ensure the experience is both safe and effective.
The screening process
The candidate screening process generally considers factors such as health history, influence of trauma, sensory differences, established regulatory capacity (observed autonomic patterns) and access to resources. Timing is an important part of program readiness, and SSP may be deferred during or immediately after significant life events to allow for flexibility and space to fully participate in the SSP.
When SSP isn’t recommended
There are also specific situations in which SSP may not be recommended or require additional precautions, including certain neurological, psychiatric or hearing-related conditions. SSP providers are trained to recognize these considerations and to follow established delivery guidance when determining suitability.
Overall, candidate screening reflects a “safe before sound” approach. SSP providers are trained to assess readiness, create a supportive environment, and work with clients and families to make informed decisions about whether SSP is appropriate to support the individual’s well-being.
Getting started with SSP
There are different ways to see if the Safe and Sound Protocol can help your teen, but everyone can benefit from nervous system regulation. The most important thing to remember is that it needs to be with a therapist trained in the SSP by Unyte.
At Family First
Ask our admissions team or your teen’s primary therapist about adding SSP sessions to their treatment plan. We’ll align listening with your teen’s therapy goals and school plan.
Through Unyte
SSP is available only via trained providers. If you’re not yet enrolled with Family First, Unyte’s provider network can help you find a clinician and discuss delivery options. You can also learn more about the SSP at WhatistheSSP.com.
Ask Family First how we use Unyte’s Safe and Sound Protocol for neurodivergent teens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SSP help autistic, ADHD, or other neurodivergent people?
Many people and clinicians report improvements in calm, sound tolerance, and social engagement after SSP. Early research and case programs suggest positive changes for autistic and ADHD populations, but results vary, and SSP should complement—not replace—other supports (OT, CBT, school accommodations, medication management when appropriate).
How long does SSP take, and how many sessions are needed?
SSP is typically delivered in short, paced listening segments across days to weeks, not marathon sessions. Teens often do best with brief daily or near-daily segments plus breaks, over 2–6 weeks, depending on regulation capacity and goals.
Is SSP safe? Are there side effects or contraindications?
SSP is non-invasive and designed to be titrated (increased listening over time). Temporary over-activation (e.g., irritability, fatigue, “too much sound,” headaches) can occur if pacing is too fast; providers respond by slowing or pausing and adding regulation supports. Providers review medical and mental-health history to determine fit and speed.
Can SSP be administered remotely or at home?
Yes. Trained providers can supervise in-clinic or telehealth-supported home delivery. Home use still requires a provider to set pacing, co-regulate, monitor responses, and guide adjustments.
Can SSP be used with other therapies (CBT, OT, family therapy)?
Absolutely. Families often pair SSP with CBT, occupational therapy for sensory strategies, executive-function coaching, and family therapy. We use it to increase readiness so teens can use their skills when it counts—school, friendships, and family routines.
Who is an ideal candidate for SSP?
A teen who is chronically over-activated (on edge), sensory-sensitive, or socially avoidant due to overwhelm—and who is engaged with a provider who can pace carefully and coordinate care.
What equipment is needed (headphones, quiet room)?
Over-ear headphones, a quiet, low-demand space, and access to the Unyte Health app. Neurodivergent teens can also benefit from visual schedules, timers, and fidgets between segments. Teens who have a hard time wearing headphones can participate in adapted sessions.
What do SSP sessions feel like/what to expect during listening?
Most describe gentle, music-based listening with planned breaks. Various music genres are available, including ambient, classical, contemporary, children’s, New Age, and pop-rock. Teens may feel relaxed, sleepy, or occasionally stirred-up if the system activates—the provider will slow down, switch tasks, or pause when needed. Therapists and teens co-regulate together through breathing, grounding, and movement breaks.
How soon might someone notice changes or benefits?
Some families notice shifts within days to weeks (e.g., less startle to sound, smoother transitions); others see gradual changes as SSP integrates with ongoing therapy and school supports.
What is the cost or insurance coverage for SSP?
Coverage varies by program and plan. At Family First, SSP is delivered within a broader treatment plan; our admissions team will review costs and any out-of-network benefits with you.
What can you do if SSP feels overwhelming (sensory overload, hyperactivation)?
Pause or reduce the dose (shorter segments, more breaks), switch to a regulation activity (movement, deep pressure, co-regulation), and resume later at a slower pace with your provider’s guidance. The most important thing is to talk to the provider. Make sure your teen knows that it’s okay to ask for what they need—including when they need a break.
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