Safe and Sound Protocol

Safe and Sound Protocol | Supportive Steps. Mental health clinic in Aurora Ontario, serving all ages and mental health needs in Aurora and Newmarket ON.

Sound is one of the essential ways our brain perceives and makes sense of the world around us. When triggered our brain can enter a defensive mode (often fight or flight) and we can stop perceiving the frequencies of safety around us.

The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is an evidence-based listening therapy that helps our system begin to recognize those frequencies of safety in our environment. It is designed to reduce sound sensitivities and improve auditory processing, behavioural state regulation, and social engagement behaviours through filtered music.

The SSP is a 5 hour protocol that is delivered over several days. It involves listening to specially filtered music through headphones alongside a provider or a support person once the protocol has been set up, in-person or remotely. Suitable for children and adults, the SSP has demonstrated benefits for individuals with trauma, anxiety, sensory processing differences and more.

The Key to Supportive Therapy

The key aspect to therapy at Supportive Steps is that it is a welcoming and empowering space, shaped around you and your child’s background, individual problems, and needs. Drawing upon client-focused therapy means treatment that views the client as a whole person, not as a set of separate issues to be solved. The end result is arriving at a space where you and/or your child are treated as a partner in reaching overall well-being.

What to Expect in Therapy Sessions

Therapy sessions are client-centred and adapted to each person’s needs, goals, and pace. Depending on the therapeutic approach, sessions may include conversation, guided activities, creative or body-based techniques, and moments of reflection. We provide a safe, supportive, and respectful environment where individuals can explore challenges, build self-awareness, and develop tools to support emotional health.

Personalized Care

Compassionate Support

Holistic Approach

Guided Healing Journey

Frequently Asked Questions

This space answers common questions and helps you feel more confident and prepared as you begin your therapy journey.

How Can Therapy Help Me/My Child?

The more we are not aware of our thoughts, feelings, motives, and behaviours, the more they control us. Therapy helps people understand their “stories”; the experiences that have shaped them, their protectors that helped them get through challenges, and the patterns or habits that are now preventing them from living the way they would like. It is an exploration where the therapist walks alongside the person, helping them to unscramble and make sense of the information they share.

Booking your first session takes three easy steps:
1. Click the Book a Call button at the top of the page or contact us directly to book a free 15-minute consult where we will discuss your hopes and needs.
2. Create your collaborative treatment plan with your therapist at your first session.
3. Begin your journey to mental strength and resilience.

 

During the first session, we will begin to explore life for you or your child. We will explore things such as your/your child’s challenges, history, family history, coping skills, and strengths. We may also complete some assessments that may be beneficial in reaching certain goals. This exploration may take several sessions depending on the history and challenges you want to address for yourself/your child.

Everyone’s journey is different. Some people may reach their established goals within only a few sessions, while others may be working on recurring life patterns or traumatic events which may benefit from more long-term support. Based on your hopes and challenges, we will come up with a plan together to help you reach your goals.

Appointments are 50 minutes in length (45-50 minutes for children), with the last 10 minutes of the hour being for rescheduling and admin work.

Yes, we currently offer phone, telehealth, and in-person appointments.

Yes, we are happy to work with you based on your needs. If we can’t help, we are happy to provide referrals to other organizations that may be able to work with you.

Most insurance companies offer some coverage for social work services. Please contact your insurance provider directly to inquire. If you need assistance with this, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Consultation

Take the first step toward better mental health. Book your complimentary consultation today and begin a supportive journey toward healing, clarity, and emotional growth in a safe and compassionate environment.