OUR SERVICES

Safe and Sound Protocol

Montréal • Québec • Ontario • Online

Calm the nervous system. Build a greater sense of safety. Support healing from the inside out.

At Clinique Altera, we offer the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a gentle, evidence-informed listening program designed to support nervous system regulation, emotional resilience, and social engagement.

Developed from polyvagal theory, SSP uses specially filtered music delivered through headphones to help the nervous system shift out of chronic states of stress, shutdown, or hypervigilance and into greater feelings of safety, connection, and calm.

Available in person in Montreal or virtually across Canada with guided support.

The Safe and Sound Protocol can help with:

Anxiety & Chronic Stress

Support for a nervous system that feels constantly on edge, tense, or stuck in worry.
Trauma & PTSD

Helps create greater safety and regulation for nervous systems impacted by trauma or overwhelming experiences.
ADHD & Focus

May support attention, emotional regulation, impulsivity, and settling an overactivated system.
Autism & Sensory Sensitivity

Gentle support for sensory overwhelm, sound sensitivity, transitions, and regulation challenges.
Emotional Regulation

For frequent overwhelm, shutdown, irritability, mood swings, or difficulty returning to baseline.
Sleep Difficulties

When stress or hyperarousal makes it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested.
Burnout & Nervous System Fatigue

Support when chronic stress has left you exhausted, wired, or depleted.
Social Anxiety & Connection

May help increase feelings of safety in relationships, communication, and social environments.
Children & Behavioural Stress

Support for transitions, meltdowns, emotional reactivity, school stress, and family regulation.
Parent-Child Co-Regulation

Helpful when family stress cycles, disconnection, or emotional intensity affect the home environment.
Attachment & Relational Wounds

For those who struggle to feel safe, connected, or settled in close relationships.
Recovery from Chronic Overwhelm

When the body has learned to live in survival mode and needs support returning to calm.
Chronic Pain

May support nervous system regulation for individuals living with chronic pain, tension, migraines, or stress-related physical symptoms.

OUR APPROACH

What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol?

The Safe and Sound Protocol is a therapeutic listening intervention that supports the vagus nerve and the body’s social engagement system. Through a series of curated music tracks, the auditory system is stimulated in ways that may help reduce defensiveness and increase regulation.

Many clients notice improvements in:

Anxiety and chronic stress
Emotional regulation
Sensory sensitivity
Trauma recovery support
Social connection and communication
Attention and focus
Sleep and restfulness
Feeling calmer in the body

Our Approach at Clinique Altera

We do not believe healing happens through a one-size-fits-all protocol. At Clinique Altera, SSP is offered within a warm, relational, trauma-informed framework.

We help you pace the process carefully, monitor nervous system responses, and integrate changes as they arise. Some clients use SSP as a standalone support, while others combine it with therapy or coaching.

Our clinicians may integrate:

Psychoeducation
Regulation strategies
Somatic tools
Attachment-informed support
Family guidance for child implementations
Therapy integration sessions

What the Process Looks Like

Initial Consultation
We explore your goals, history, sensitivities, and readiness.
Personalized Listening Plan
We recommend a slow, titrated pace based on your nervous system.
Listening Sessions at Home
Using over-ear headphones and the SSP app.
Ongoing Support
Check-ins to track responses, adjust pacing, and support integration.

Why Guided SSP Matters

Although the listening tracks are simple to use, nervous systems are not simple. Many people benefit from professional support to pace the process, respond to activation, and understand what is emerging.

Our goal is to help make the experience gentle, effective, and supportive.

Family & Child SSP Support

We also work with parents seeking SSP for children or teens. Parent guidance can help with:

Transitions and meltdowns
Emotional regulation
School stress
Family stress cycles
Sensory overwhelm
Parent-child co-regulation

Virtual Across Canada

Because SSP can be delivered remotely and is held within a coaching and educational container, we are able to support clients across Canada depending on the clinician licensing scope and support format.