Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): Support for Your Child or Teen

A Gentle Music Therapy for Families in Florida and Illinois

SSP is a simple, approachable therapy that helps children and teens feel calmer, more connected, and more in control of their emotions and behaviors.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) uses five hours of specially filtered music to help kids feel calmer, more connected, and more confident. By stimulating the part of the nervous system that helps us recognize safety, SSP makes it easier for kids to manage emotions, ease sensory sensitivities, and feel more at ease in daily life.

When Your Child or Teen Might Benefit from SSP

  • Little girl putting hand under a faucet. Safe and Sound Protocol Kids

    Sensory Sensitivities

    Sensory overwhelm can feel frustrating and exhausting, especially with sounds, lights, or textures.

    Safe and Sound Protocol calms your child’s nervous system, easing their response to sensory input and helping them feel more at ease.

  • School aged girl sitting with knees close to chest with turtleneck and hands covering the lower half of her face. SSP for children Florida

    Anxiety

    Constant fears and worries can show up as avoidance, emotional outbursts, or physical discomfort.

    Safe and Sound Protocol helps your child feel safer, reducing anxiety and making daily life easier to manage.

  • Child sitting on the floor with knees close to chest and head resting in arms, covering face. Safe and Sound Protocol for kids Fort Lauderdale

    Autism or ADHD

    Focus struggles, sensory overload, energy swings, and social challenges can feel overwhelming.

    Safe and Sound Protocol supports nervous system regulation, helping your child feel more steady and confident.

  • Teenage boys and girls sitting outside smiling. SSP Kids Florida

    Behavioral Challenges

    Big reactions and trouble following directions can stem from a stressed nervous system.

    Safe and Sound Protocol helps your child feel calmer, making it easier to manage emotions and connect with others.

SSP for Kids and Teens in Florida

Hi, I’m Amy!

Parenting a child who struggles with sensory issues, big emotions, or feeling safe in the world can feel overwhelming. Watching them navigate these challenges and feeling unsure about how to help is hard.

You may feel like you’ve tried everything—or maybe you’re just now realizing it’s time to give your child extra support. It’s not easy to see your child struggling and not know where to turn.

As an SSP provider, I’ve worked with children and teens to ease nervous system dysregulation and build a stronger foundation for emotional and sensory resilience. My role also includes supporting parents by helping you understand your child’s unique needs, notice shifts in behavior, and navigate challenges along the way.

Together, we can help your child and family move toward more ease and connection.

If you’re ready to explore if SSP is the right fit, schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation or send me a message on the contact page.

What to Expect: Your Child’s Experience with SSP

Every child is different, and SSP is meant to meet your child exactly where they are. Some kids like to move around while listening, while others enjoy getting cozy with a blanket, their favorite fidget, or even a warm cup of hot chocolate. These preferences might shift as we go, and that’s perfectly okay.

Often, kids feel calm and relaxed while listening, but not always. The range of experiences can be wide, and sometimes your child might feel a little off—like changes in their mood, sleep, or other sensations. This is normal and can often mean we need to slow down or try a different setup.

A big part of SSP is the idea of “Safe before Sound.” It’s so important for your child to feel safe—with who they’re with and where they’re listening. If your teen feels annoyed by a younger sibling nearby or bright lights feel overwhelming, creating a calm and comfortable space—like dimming the lights or finding privacy—can make all the difference.

I’ll be here to guide you through it all and help you find what works best so your child feels supported and confident as they move through SSP..

SSP Listening Options for Kids and Teens

“Safe before Sound” is at the heart of SSP, ensuring your child feels supported and secure every step of the way. Their comfort is the top priority when deciding how and where they’ll listen, and these options can adjust as your child’s needs evolve.

Your child or teen can listen:

  • In session with me – Best for teens comfortable working directly with me.

  • At home with you – Ideal for kids who feel safest listening with a trusted caregiver.

  • A mix of both – Combines home listening and sessions with me for flexible, faster progress.

The goal is to create the right balance for your child and family, ensuring the process feels safe, supportive, and effective.

Pets can be amazing co-regulators while listening to the SSP Music!

Your Role as a Parent or Caregiver in the SSP Process

Remember the motto “Safe before Sound”? Part of that safety comes from your presence, providing co-regulation to help your child feel at ease while listening. For teens who prefer more independence, you can work out a way to stay nearby—perhaps in the next room—while still giving them space. If that’s not a good fit, they can always listen with me in sessions instead, ensuring they have the support they need.

Checking in with me regularly through email and video calls is also an important part of the process. I’ll guide you every step of the way, helping you track progress, adjust the plan, and ensure the experience feels manageable and supportive.

Some parents choose to go through Safe and Sound Protocol themselves. This optional step can help you feel more regulated, which in turn supports your child and benefits the entire family. I also offer parenting support and therapy for parents who want additional guidance while their child moves through the protocol.

Together, we’ll ensure SSP feels manageable and beneficial—not just for your child, but for your entire family.

If you're ready to explore whether SSP is the right fit for your child, schedule a free 15-minute consultation or reach out through the contact form. I'd love to help.

Your Investment for SSP

  • Initial Session: $180
    We’ll assess your child’s needs, create a listening plan, and get started with SSP in this 55 minute session.

  • Six Months of SSP Access: $400. Includes access to the SSP app and ongoing email support. While some may complete the protocol in less time, others may need longer. If extended, there is a $100 technology fee for each additional 6 months of access, plus $50 for each month of email support utilized.

  • Monthly Check-Ins: $90/30 minute session
    Required for families choosing all at-home listening to review progress and adjust the plan as needed.

  • Optional Parenting Support Sessions: $180/session
    For additional guidance, parenting strategies, or emotional support as you help your child through SSP.

Child and Teen SSP FAQs

  • To participate in the Safe and Sound Protocol, your child or teen will need:

    • Non-noise-canceling over-the-ear headphones
      These are required to ensure your child hears the music as intended.

    • A smartphone or tablet with the SSP app installed
      This is how the specially filtered music is delivered.

    • A quiet, comfortable space
      Your child will need a safe, calming environment where they can focus on the music without distractions.

    • Supervised time for listening
      Whether your child listens during sessions with me or at home with you nearby, having supportive supervision is essential to the process.

    We’ll discuss everything you need to get started in our initial session, and I’ll help guide you in setting up the ideal environment for your child to feel safe and supported during SSP.

  • Some children may experience temporary reactions as their nervous system adjusts to the Safe and Sound Protocol. These could include increased anxiety, restlessness, or emotional sensitivity. You might also notice changes in their awareness of physical sensations or a heightened sensitivity to certain triggers.

    These responses are typically short-lived and are part of the process as your child’s nervous system begins to recalibrate. It’s important to go at a pace that feels right for your child, and I’ll be here to guide you through any challenges, helping to adjust the plan and ensure they feel supported along the way.

  • SSP may not be suitable for some children with specific health conditions or challenges. For example:

    • Neurological conditions: SSP is not recommended for children with unmanaged epilepsy or other neurological disorders.

    • Inner ear or vestibular conditions: If your child has a condition affecting the inner ear or balance, approval from your doctor may be required before starting SSP.

    • Other considerations: While SSP may help with tinnitus, there’s a chance it could temporarily increase sensitivity to sound. If your child experiences tinnitus, we will approach SSP carefully.

    The principle of “safe before sound” guides the use of SSP. This means that certain life or health factors may require us to delay or adjust how we use the protocol to ensure the best and safest outcome for your child. I’ll work with you to assess your child’s readiness and tailor the process to their unique needs.

  • Yes, SSP can be integrated with other therapies and is most effective when paired with additional support. It’s not meant to be a stand-alone therapy, so it’s important that your child is being supported by another health professional. This could be a mental health therapist, an occupational therapist, or another provider working with your child.

    SSP often enhances the effectiveness of these therapies by improving nervous system regulation. When your child’s nervous system feels more balanced, they may find it easier to engage in other treatments, process emotions, and work toward their goals with greater success.

Support for Kids and Teens from a SSP Provider

If your child has been struggling with big emotions, sensory sensitivities, or challenges connecting with others, SSP could be the support you’ve been looking for. By helping your child’s nervous system feel safer and more regulated, SSP makes it easier for them to manage their emotions, build confidence, and navigate daily life with more ease.

You don’t have to face these challenges alone. Let’s work together to create a path toward more calm, connection, and resilience for your child—and your family.

Schedule a free 15-minute consultation or send me a message to see if SSP is the right fit for your child. I’d love to help.

Related Blog Posts

  • Mom and son sitting on bench in park. Son has on over-the-ear headphones and mom is looking at him smiling. Safe and Sound Protocol for children.

    Safe and Sound Protocol for Kids: Helping with Emotional and Sensory Challenges

    READ HERE
  • Black over-the-ear headphones over a lit candle. Safe and Sound Protocol for teens

    Safe and Sound Protocol: Embrace Ease And Make Room For More Joy In Your Life

    READ HERE
  • Man in kayak on body of water at sunset. SSP for kids.

    How You Can Benefit from Nervous System Healing (Even If You Don't Have Trauma)

    READ HERE

Reach out Today

Fill out the form or click on the link to set up a consult call to see if Safe and Sound Protocol is right for for your child or teen.

https://calendly.com/amy-amyhagerstrom/consultation



If you don’t see a day and time that fits your schedule, send a message on the form below and we will find a time that works for both of us.