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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.

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.

What the Process Looks Like

  1. Initial Consultation
    We explore your goals, history, sensitivities, and readiness.

  2. Personalized Listening Plan
    We recommend a slow, titrated pace based on your nervous system.

  3. Listening Sessions at home or in session with your therapist
    Using over-ear headphones and the SSP app.

  4. 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

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Black wireless over-ear headphones resting on a wooden surface.

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 Safe and Sound Providers

Request An Appointment