Regulate Stress & Anxiety Through Sound
Learn to regulate with two sound program options: the Safe and Sound Protocol and/or the Rest and Restore Protocol. These science-based sound programs help you feel better, think better and connect better.
The Safe & Sound Protocol helps you regulate your nervous system, to decrease anxiety and stress
Anxiety and/or stress management
- SSP helps emotional and nervous system regulation
Build connection, trust and a safe environment through co-regulation of the nervous system
Enables a physiological shift to align the mind and body
Helps accelerate lasting change and coping skills
For people with auditory sensitivities
Helps you to regulate stressors related to social situations
Helps people with auditory sensitivities
The Rest & Restore Protocol: A Sound-Based Approach to Nervous System Regulation
Entrainment of Rhythms: By mirroring biological rhythms, the RRP supports synchronization and regulation of internal states.
Acoustic Design: Using specific elements like tempo, frequency, and rhythm, the protocol gradually increases complexity to titrate change and support nervous system resilience.
Vagal Tone: The RRP stimulates the vagus nerve, improving autonomic flexibility and resilience while promoting parasympathetic activation.
Healthy Dorsal State: It supports the restorative “rest-and-digest” functions of the dorsal vagal complex, balancing activation and relaxation.
Internal Connection: The protocol encourages stillness, introspection, and the ability to feel safe in one’s own body and mind.
Learn more about Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP):
The Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) is a groundbreaking sound-as-medicine program designed to support the regulation and restoration of the nervous system. Using principles of “entrainment,” the RRP synchronizes specific frequencies and rhythms with our internal biological systems. This process mirrors how tapping your foot to music aligns with its beat—our internal rhythms, like breath, heartbeat, digestion, and even cellular activities, can harmonize with sound.
Learn more about Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) by watching the video below:
How the Rest and Restore Protocol Works:
The RRP fosters the capacity to “listen inwardly.” By encouraging stillness and awareness of internal sensations, emotions, and experiences, it cultivates a sense of safety in rest. This enables restorative processes like sleep and meditation, promoting what’s often called a “non-doing” state—being, rather than doing.
The protocol also helps regulate internal states, fostering better relaxation and emotional well-being. For example, a racing heartbeat may signal stress, while a slower, steady rhythm reflects safety and calm. Through the RRP, clients can reconnect with their internal sense of safety, laying the groundwork for a more balanced, resilient nervous system.
What is Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)?
The Safe and Sound Protocol (known as SSP) is an auditory program that was developed to help regulate the nervous system effectively, and consistently. SSP was developed by Dr. Steven Porges, of iLS. Research and experience tell us that rapid societal change and adverse life experiences are increasingly resulting in physical and mental health challenges for many people, and SSP was developed to help you respond effectively to life’s challenges, access higher learning and cognition, and build positive social relationships.
“The notion that the brain is able to change in response to stimulation, an ability known as “neuroplasticity,” is now so widely accepted it can be called fact. Unyte-iLs programs are based on this principle, providing gentle and specific stimulation in order to activate the neural pathways used in the processing of sensory information. Neuronal connections in these pathways are strengthened and new connections are established through repeated sessions of multisensory input.” – from the IntegratedListening.com website
SSP offers a 5 to 15 hours auditory program, that will help you regulate your nervous system more effectively because it trains your neural network and nervous system. SSP uses music to create a sense of safety, by stimulating the vagus nerve, and calms the emotional and physiological state. This helps improve communication, stress and anxiety management, and social interactions.
Rest & Restore Protocol versus Safe & Sound Protocol
While both the RRP and SSP are sound-based tools for nervous system regulation, they serve distinct purposes:
Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP): Focuses on creating internal safety, fostering relaxation, and supporting introspection. It is particularly effective for individuals needing to reconnect with their internal states, manage sub-diaphragmatic symptoms (e.g., digestion, anxiety), and establish a sense of calm. The RRP is well-suited as a foundational program for those struggling with interoception and self-awareness.
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP): Targets external safety through social engagement. It supports the nervous system’s capacity to connect outwardly, promoting prosocial behaviors and external relationships. However, for clients with complex histories or those lacking internal safety, the SSP can feel overwhelming without first establishing the groundwork provided by the RRP.
Why Start with the RRP?
The RRP creates a foundation of internal safety before engaging in the outward connection fostered by the SSP. By addressing sub-diaphragmatic systems and promoting rest, the RRP reduces the allostatic load—allowing clients to move toward deeper healing and resilience.
Sound Programs Offered by Kate Appleton
SSP programs are for adults or children, and are facilitated through the remote listening program. Please reach out to me through the contact page if you are interested in learning more about an SSP program. Pricing is custom to the needs of the client please inquire by identifying the services you are interested in.
Hybrid Remote Home Program
You are able to remotely access the program, and have 3 video sessions with Kate.
100% Supported SSP Core Program
You are able to access the program either remotely or in-person and all sessions are monitored by Kate.
SSP Delivered as a 5-7 Day Retreat Program
This is the ideal method for the whole family to do together or for a rich individual “surround” experiential retreat.
View retreat details.
Support for Practitioners
In addition to offering these sound programs to clients, I provide mentorship for practitioners who wish to integrate the RRP and SSP into their work. Together, we can explore how these protocols complement one another and support diverse client needs.
By understanding the unique goals of each protocol—internal connection (RRP) and external connection (SSP)—we can tailor sound-based interventions to meet clients where they are on their healing journey.
The Focus System
What is the Focus System?
Information provided by iLS (https://integratedlistening.com/ils-focus-series/):
The Focus System is a clinical intervention used to improve brain function through brain and body integration via multisensory input.
The Focus System can be used in-clinic or at home, and consists of specially-treated music combined with fun movement activities, and, when ready, cognitive challenges to further activate brain networks.
Ideal for both children and adults, the Focus System includes programs for sensory & motor, concentration & attention, reading & auditory processing and more.
And with the flexibility of 60-minute or 30-minute sessions, it’s easy to implement in the office, at school or at home.
For more information about this, please contact Kate.
