As someone who has done SSP with a practitioner, I was excited to read this book from the founder and early researchers. The book is very informative and organized in two main parts. Part one provides background information about the autonomic nervous system and polyvagal theory, then goes into the reasoning behind SSP and the history of its development. Part one also walks through the SSP process. Then in part two, the authors share several case studies. Each case study includes a summary of the case, the background of the practitioner and the client, and then Dr. Porges' thoughts about the case. The book also includes notes for each chapter, a bibliography, and a glossary of terms. I'd recommend this book for practitioners who are interested in learning about SSP, clients who are considering trying SSP with a practitioner, and current SSP practitioners who'd like to read about other practitioners who have had success in using SSP to treat their clients.

As a therapist newly exploring polyvagal theory, I approached Safe and Sound with great anticipation—and it delivered. Stephen Porges presents complex neuroscience in an accessible and compassionate way, making the science behind safety, connection, and regulation both clear and deeply relevant to clinical work.

The book offers a thorough yet approachable explanation of how the autonomic nervous system shapes our experiences, particularly in the context of trauma and healing. I especially appreciated the sections on how creating a neuroception of safety is foundational to therapeutic progress, and the emphasis on co-regulation as a core component of human connection.

The exploration of the Safe and Sound Protocol and its applications was particularly enlightening. It gave me practical insight into how auditory interventions can support clients’ physiological regulation—a tool I’m eager to integrate into my work.

Insightful, practical, and grounded in both research and humanity, this book will be a valuable resource for both my own development and the well-being of my clients.

Stephen Porges is a must read in the polyvagal realm, as every bit of it stems from his work. I had a mere understanding of the Safe and Sound protocol prior to reading this, and feel significantly more literate on the topic after finishing.
Although some polyvagal theory books out there contain sections on how-to/self-help, this does not. It’s truly meant to be practiced in a therapist-client relationship. It’s an excellent addition to a therapist’s library, or someone looking for a better understanding.

An important part of healing from trauma includes working with our bodies, nervous systems, and brains. In this book, the focus is on a protocol that helps with nervous system regulation. The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) focuses on various frequencies that are interwoven with music. The frequencies help soothe and regulate the nervous system.

The authors share research and stories of how the SSP has helped various people. It's a fascinating look into a way to help survivors heal. It's something that I wish I could access, as I think it would help me heal from CSA.

If you are interested in polyvagal theory, trauma healing, and/or music, I recommend this book.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

SAFE AND SOUND: A POLYVAGAL APPROACH FOR CONNECTION, CHANGE, AND HEALING
BY: STEPHEN PORGES PhD
KAREN ONDERKO

This was an interesting cutting edge recent modality in treating an endless amount of ailments that has its uses that focuses on healing. I'm not positive, but which if I recall was cited around 2017, and ongoing through today. A modality is generally defined as exactly what the root word modal implies. For example, since this new modal focuses on healing an endless amount of any symptoms, I am going to refer in terms of treating for trauma in the mental health world, the different specialties that a clinician uses is known as a modality. Such as talk therapy in the psychological field is one type of modal. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, are just two of many. Before I get off into the weeds, this author uses a physiological approach which is fascinating because it has more to do with the body which is his modality. This author deserves five stars for making this book accessible as possible for not only clinicians, but for the average person to understand.

The reason why I wanted to read this is because the author of the New York Times Best Seller of a book that I read, and loved called, "The Body Keeps the Score," by Bessel van der Kolk, MD, whose also a researcher and educator endorsed this. I think his book has been at least heard of by most people, if not read, I highly recommend it.

I must say that although there are many other Doctors that also have impressive titles published that have also given this book high praise. What I should address in this review is a way to give an easy to understand simplification of the definition of this book which I'm reviewing called, "SAFE AND SOUND:" A POLYVAGAL APPOACH for Connection, Change, and Healing in the subtitle, that this book called, by Psychologist, and author Stephen Porges, PhD, and Karen Onderko together have used what my interpretation have developed a groundbreaking new modality with success. The Safe and Sound Protocal, or SSP, in Polyvagal Theory is a new therapy that's effective in regulating health, and behavior having to do with the Autonomic Nervous System, and the Vagus Nerve theorizes that through listening to music that's filtered to prioritize the frequencies of human speech, providing auditory input enables to reset the Nervous system to its homeostatic state. The SSP in terms of helping countless people with each of them showing rapid improvement or healing from each individual having ailments taken from a long list of symptoms, in fact, there are too many to list in my review that have included case studies in this book. The author very eloquently explains the neuroscience making it easy to digest in the first section. He tells you that you can skip the neuroscience section, if you'd like and go directly to the case studies. He did such a thorough job of giving examples throughout the neuroscience part that made it too interesting that I wanted to continue. There are thorough in depth explanations of the ear which can play a factor in how an ear infection can disrupt the nervous system. I didn't know what Polyvagal meant which is a basic attempt on my part which in the context of the author's theory is by no means as thorough as how he presents it. The first part of the word POLY: Means Many and VAGAL refers to the Vagus Nerve, a key nerve in our body that plays a role regulating our stress responses. This author's theory is that our Nervous system operates in a given hierarchy of three central states: 1. VENTRAL VAGAL (Social Engagement), 2. SYMPATHETIC, (Mobilization), and, 3. DORSAL VAGAL, (Immobilization). That's a very overly simplification of the term, POLOLVAGAL in this context refers to this author, Stephen Porges, who is also a psychologist developed this theory of how our Nervous system responds to a perceived Safety or threat which is the POLYVAGAL THEORY, or PVT as he uses the abbreviated PVT throughout, this book is POLYVAGAL Theory, has been also used by some psychologists in combing it with their modality that they specialize in. It basically is how our key nerves respond in our body to any stimuli that it senses as some kind of a threat or safety. I loved how he included how at different stages of a fetus, which was surprisingly early on during the pregnancy processes sound from the mother. While I was always listening to the heartbeat for the first time how at very early as that I remember even though it's been over two decades, ago that my sons were listening and differentiating different sounds as early as eight weeks (I think). There's so much fascinating information that was truly amazing I loved it enough to read it all over again. The author also gives an overabundance of information regarding things you can do like breathing, from simple things with putting both hands over your heart. I'm so happy that I took a chance on this book. I can tell the author is a kind and compassionate person by his conversationalist tone in how he has made this digestible information made me think it's worthy of more than five stars.

Publication Date: April 22, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, Stephen Porges Phd, and Karen Onderko, and finally Sounds True Publishing for generously providing me with my Fantastic ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.

#SafeandSound #StephenPorges #KarenOnderko #SoundsTruePublishing #NetGalley
rue

A fascinating book about the safe and sound protocols. However, as use of the protocols are limited to trained providers, not a self-help book.. I was persuaded to seek out a practitioner but I have also been warned that this protocol brings old trauma to the surface very quickly and, perhaps, is better suited for the end of therapy rather than the start. reddit lists some quite extreme adverse responses to this. However, I'm still interested. Probably a good book for therapists.

📖 Title: Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing
✍🏻 Author: Stephen W. , PhD & Karen Onderko
📚 Genre: Non-Fiction | Mental Health
🏢 Publisher: Sounds True Publishing
🗓️ Release Date: April 22, 2025

💭 Initial Thoughts:
- As a social work student, I’m always looking for books that deepen my understanding of trauma so when I saw an ARC for a new Stephen Porges books, I knew it was a must read.
- Polyvagal Theory has become such a critical theory in trauma work so I was intrigued to learn about Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) and how it can be used in trauma work.

📖 Description:
- Polyvagal Theory pioneer Dr. Stephen W. Porges and co-author, Karen Onderko introduce the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) which is a therapeutic intervention designed to support nervous system regulation through filtered music.
- Since SSP is grounded in Polyvagal Theory, it is able to help individuals foster a sense of safety, enabling genuine self-expression, improved social connection, and emotional resilience.

⚖️ Considerations:
- This resource explores the origins, best practices, and clinical applications of SSP, highlighting real-life stories and evidence demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing emotion dysregulation, sensory sensitivities, and conditions such as depression, addiction, autism, ADHD, trauma, and more.
- Although this book can be used by service users and service providers, it does lean more in a clinical tone. It is very informative, but some sections may feel dense for readers who are new to Polyvagal theory.
- This is a great read if you are looking for practical ways to integrate music into your practice as a way to regulate the nervous system.

⭐️Takeaways:
- I’m so appreciative of NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for providing me with the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

Safe and Sound is an insightful and accessible look at Polyvagal Theory (PVT) and its practical applications, with a strong focus on the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). Written for professionals and everyday readers, the book explains how the autonomic nervous system (ANS) shapes our sense of safety, connection, and regulation. It then introduces practical tools for identifying nervous system states and shifting toward balance.

The writing is clear and engaging, blending technical depth with real-life case studies and anecdotes. The book moves naturally from theory to hands-on strategies, including a full chapter on recognizing vagal states and methods for self-regulation. For anyone interested in how the nervous system influences emotions and behavior, this structured approach is both informative and practical.

The emphasis on SSP is strong, sometimes feeling like a sales pitch, but the broader insights into nervous system regulation make up for it. The case studies add credibility, though accessibility and cost remain concerns. While some foundational information on PVT and ANS will be familiar to those already versed in the topic, the book’s organization and depth make it a valuable resource.

I appreciate NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for the opportunity to read this early copy!

Porges and Undergo write a book about a different type of therapy know as the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). This therapy is based on the Polyvagal Theory and how SSP can help reset the nervous system. The first part of the book goes into the science behind SSP. The second part of the book was more interesting to me as it discussed case studies. Not only did you get an idea of what therapy a client had previously had used, but also how SSP helped them heal over time. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in expanding their therapy knowledge and trying other therapies for clients.

Thank you NetGalley and Sounds True Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am such an admirer of Stephen Porges and found this book to be an accessible yet thorough exploration of his Safe and Sound protocol. It's inspired me to sign up for training - I'm curious to see how this can benefit the populations I work with ... more specifically, kids who started off in the NICU and who have major sensory issues as a result. I'd recommend to any clinician curious about this method. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it!

Safe and Sound is a groundbreaking exploration of how Polyvagal Theory and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) revolutionize our understanding of the nervous system and its profound impact on emotional and physical well-being. Dr. Stephen Porges and Karen Onderko present an accessible and transformative guide for anyone seeking to address challenges like anxiety, trauma, and emotional dysregulation. The book masterfully combines cutting-edge science with compelling case studies, illustrating how resetting the autonomic nervous system can lead to remarkable changes in health, resilience, and relationships. By highlighting the connection between safety and healing, it provides a roadmap for fostering self-regulation, social engagement, and personal growth. This isn't just a book for clinicians—it’s for anyone curious about unlocking the body’s innate capacity for healing through innovative tools like SSP. Rich with practical insights and deeply human stories, Safe and Sound is a must-read for those who wish to transform their lives from survival mode to a state of thriving connection. It’s an inspiring testament to the power of feeling safe and the possibilities that emerge when the nervous system is truly heard and supported.