Safe and Sound: A Polyvagal Approach for Connection, Change, and Healing

From Polyvagal Theory pioneer Dr. Stephen Porges comes a transformative new resource for nervous system regulation, healing, and emotional well-being.

We all want to live and share our truth, but when we don’t feel safe, it can be impossible to fully express―or even know―who we really are. Our nervous system impacts our daily well-being, to our benefit or detriment. Understanding how may be key to truly knowing yourself and better supporting the challenges holding you back. If you’ve struggled with chronic anxiety, persistent stress, or feeling "stuck," the key may be understanding and supporting your nervous system.

In Safe and Sound, Dr. Stephen Porges and co-author Karen Onderko introduce the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a groundbreaking, science-backed therapy based on the renowned Polyvagal Theory. SSP involves listening to music that’s been filtered to prioritize frequencies of human speech, providing auditory input that enables the nervous system to reset to its homeostatic state.

In this book, you will discover:

• The Science of Safety: Learn how rhythmic, filtered sound―designed to prioritize human speech frequencies―can act as a powerful tool to retune your nervous system.
• Evidence-Based Applications: Explore how SSP helps address a wide range of conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, perfectionism, auditory sensitivity, and social interaction difficulties.
• Real-Life Transformation: Through compelling case studies, see how autonomic regulation supports healing for those navigating ADHD, autism, COVID recovery, hypermobility, Parkinson’s disease, and more.
• Actionable Tools: Whether you are a patient, caregiver, or clinician, Safe and Sound provides a comprehensive guide to understanding your nervous system and accessing the resilience you need to thrive.

"When the nervous system regains its capacity to feel safe," say Porges and Onderko, "individuals can express themselves genuinely, engage comfortably with others, and embrace a life of greater openness and ease."

If you are looking for a path to long-awaited healing, Safe and Sound offers the foundation for a more resilient, connected, and peaceful life.

Peter A. Levine, PhD, has spent 45 years studying and treating stress and trauma. He holds a doctorate degree in medical biophysics from the University of California at Berkeley and in psychology from International University. He is the developer of Somatic Experiencing®, a naturalistic approach to healing trauma. He has practiced and taught at treatment centers, hospitals, and pain clinics throughout the world, and has dealt with a wide range of trauma, including accidents, rapes, assaults, abuse, and invasive medical procedures. Peter was a stress consultant for NASA during the development of the Space Shuttle program. He served with the Institute for World Affairs Task Force for "Psychologists for Social Responsibility" and the American Psychological Association "Presidential Initiative on Responding to Large-Scale Disasters and Ethno-Centric Warfare." He is also the bestselling author of Waking the Tiger (published in 22 languages), as well as several other books and audio programs that teach people how to use the body as a tool in resolving trauma. Peter is the founder of the Foundation for Human Enrichment, based out of Boulder, Colorado, which now has a membership of 5,000 Somatic Experiencing® training practitioners worldwide. His current interests include prevention of trauma in children, for which he has published two books, his most recent being Trauma-Proofing Your Kids: a Parent’s Guide to Instilling Confidence, Joy, and Resilience.

In Fall 2010, he published his master opus In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness. In October 2010 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Association for Body Psychotherapy (USABP.org).