Written by

Debbie Mole

Polyvagal therapy, rooted in Dr. Stephen Porges’ groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, offers a fresh perspective on how our nervous system affects emotional regulation and social engagement.

At the core of this approach is the vagus nerve, a critical player in how our body responds to stress and feelings of safety. Dr. Porges identified two branches of this nerve: the dorsal vagal pathway, responsible for “shutdown” responses in overwhelming situations, and the ventral vagal pathway, which supports calmness and social connection.

Polyvagal therapy helps individuals become more aware of their body’s responses, particularly when under stress, enabling them to shift from defensive, survival states to a more balanced, engaged way of being.

One of the key interventions linked to Polyvagal Theory is the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), an evidence-based listening therapy developed by Dr. Porges. This five-hour, non-invasive auditory intervention is designed to reduce stress, enhance social engagement, and improve auditory processing.

The SSP works by training the auditory pathway, helping clients focus on human voices while tuning out distracting background noise. Importantly, it also soothes the vagus nerve, which controls many involuntary functions, allowing for better regulation of the nervous system. For individuals who often feel stuck in a persistent state of fight, flight, or freeze—common in trauma, anxiety, and other mental health challenges—this therapy provides a path toward emotional and psychological stability.

SSP is particularly beneficial for people facing mental health challenges, neurodevelopmental differences, trauma, sleep disorders, and even physical complaints related to vagus nerve dysregulation.

In my work as a fully qualified and insured Clinical Nurse Specialist in Mental Health and Disability, I’ve seen how this therapy, combined with my co-regulation skills, has helped clients take control of their emotions, allowing them to move out of survival mode and engage with the world in a healthier, more connected way.

The beauty of SSP is its flexibility—it can be delivered online via telehealth and tailored to individual needs, making it an efficient way to open the door to other therapies that require more cognitive engagement.

For NDIS participants (self or plan-managed) and private clients alike, this approach offers a transformative opportunity to address deep-rooted challenges while fostering greater communication, emotional resilience, and overall well-being.

More information on can be found here: Safe and Sound Protocol

At Pandion Health, our team of experienced child and adolescent psychiatrists, behavioural paediatricians, psychologists and therapists are here to support you.