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What Is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)?

  • 1 min read

Updated: 6 days ago


By Tracy Kennedy, MSW RSW


The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a listening-based nervous system intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, creator of Polyvagal Theory. It uses specially filtered music delivered through headphones to work directly with the vagus nerve, shifting the autonomic nervous system toward a state of safety. It is used in therapy to support nervous system regulation alongside other therapeutic work.


Who is Safe and Sound Protocol for?

SSP is used with people experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, burnout, trauma or emotional dysregulation. It is useful for anyone whose nervous system feels persistently activated.


What does a Safe and Sound Protocol session involve?

SSP is delivered via online counselling sessions with Tracy Kennedy, a certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider. Tracy monitors your nervous system response and paces the protocol accordingly.


adult female doing online counselling session with a safe and sound protocol provider


Tracy Kennedy RSW is a psychotherapist practicing online in Ontario and BC. She offers SSP as part of individual therapy.

Meet Tracy Kennedy RSW & Psychotherapist, online counselling for adults in Ontario & British Columbia

  • 2 min read

Updated: 7 days ago


Tracy Kennedy: Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist online counselling for adults in Ontario & British Columbia

Headshot of Tracy Kennedy RSW, Psychotherapist online counselling for adults in Ontario and British Columbia

Tracy Kennedy is a Registered Social Worker (RSW) and psychotherapist offering online counselling for adults in Ontario and British Columbia. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and has nearly two decades of experience. Her advanced training includes EMDR, Somatic Therapy, EFT (Tapping), Safe and Sound Protocol, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Rest and Restore Protocol, and Polyvagal Theory.


Modalities

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) EMDR helps the brain reprocess memories that are still creating noise, even after significant cognitive work. It is effective for thoughts and feelings that haven't shifted despite insight and effort.

Somatic Therapy Stress and difficult experiences live in the body, not just the mind. Somatic therapy helps clients develop a more regulated, grounded nervous system through body-based awareness and practice.

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) EFT uses tapping on acupressure points to regulate the nervous system during emotional processing.

Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) SSP is a listening-based nervous system intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges. It uses specially filtered music to work directly with the vagus nerve, shifting the autonomic nervous system toward a state of safety.

Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) RRP is a clinical-grade acoustic intervention developed by Dr. Stephen Porges and Anthony Gorry. It uses engineered sound to support deep nervous system regulation at a physiological level.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps clients redirect analytical thinking toward patterns that are actually serving them.

Walk and Talk Therapy Walk and Talk sessions are conducted over the phone. Clients walk somewhere that feels good to them while doing real therapy work. Movement, nature, and conversation working together.


Who Tracy works with

Tracy's clients are self-aware adults who are doing well in most areas of their lives and want to go deeper. Through therapy they develop a clearer understanding of their patterns, more refined tools beyond what they've already built on their own, and a felt sense of changes they have understood intellectually for a long time.


Fully Seen is Tracy's structured 10-week online somatic group program for women in Ontario and BC. It combines nervous system education, body-based practice, EFT, and genuine co-regulation in a small group setting.


Why work with a Registered Social Worker in Ontario or BC?

As an RSW, Tracy is regulated by her professional college in both Ontario and BC. There are formal standards governing her practice, ethics, and ongoing training. RSWs are trained to look beyond symptoms to the full picture of a person's life.

Registered Social Workers in Ontario and BC are covered by many extended health benefit plans. There is no direct billing. Sessions are paid at time of appointment and a receipt is provided for reimbursement.


Book a free consultation

Tracy offers flexible scheduling including evenings, individual online sessions across Ontario and BC, Walk and Talk phone sessions, and the Fully Seen 10-week somatic group for women.

Tracy Kennedy RSW is a psychotherapist offering online counselling in Ontario and British Columbia.

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