If you’ve ever thought, “I know I should be able to calm down, but my body just won’t let me,” you’re not alone. Many of my clients—whether they’re autistic, living with anxiety, healing from trauma, or navigating chronic stress—share this exact struggle.
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a listening-based therapy that can help your nervous system shift out of constant “fight, flight, or freeze” mode and into a state where connection, safety, and focus feel possible.
Created by Dr. Stephen Porges, the neuroscientist behind Polyvagal Theory, SSP uses specially filtered music to gently stimulate the part of your nervous system that helps you feel safe and connected.
Through over-ear headphones, you’ll listen to music that’s been filtered to target specific sound frequencies. This process works with your vagus nerve and middle ear muscles to signal to your brain: It’s okay to relax.
Over time, your nervous system learns to respond to safety cues more easily—making it easier to connect with others, focus, and manage stress.
It’s not a “quick fix,” but it can create a strong foundation for other therapies to work more effectively.
When you work with me, SSP isn’t just “listening to music.” You’ll receive a customized program designed for your pace, needs, and goals:
Consultation – We’ll explore whether SSP is right for you.
Preparation – You’ll learn simple regulation tools before starting.
Listening Sessions – Short, guided listening sessions in person or remotely.
Integration – Ongoing support as you notice shifts and apply new skills.
Many calming strategies rely on thinking your way to calm—breathing exercises, mindfulness, or talk therapy. These can be helpful, but when your nervous system is stuck in protection mode, they may only go so far.
SSP works from the bottom up, directly retraining the nervous system so regulation becomes easier and more natural.
As a neurodiversity-affirming and trauma-informed psychologist, I see SSP as a way to create safety, not to “fix” you. If you’re autistic, PDA, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent, we’ll adapt SSP to your sensory preferences and move entirely at your pace. If you have a trauma history, we’ll integrate grounding tools so the process feels safe and empowering.
Everything about the process was great, regardless of the diagnosis. All of the communication, your approach, and your demeanor. I really commend you.
Thank you! This has been such a great experience. Thank you for all you do for families.
The intentionality and care in your practice is so appreciated.
This was a 10 out of 10. Thank you so much.
This is so much more detailed than I thought, and it’s fun to see all of it.
I was really intimidated to start this process but you made it easy and comfortable, so thank you.
Everything about the process was great, regardless of the diagnosis. All of the communication, your approach, and your demeanor. I really commend you.
Thank you! This has been such a great experience. Thank you for all you do for families.
The intentionality and care in your practice is so appreciated.
This was a 10 out of 10. Thank you so much.
This is so much more detailed than I thought, and it’s fun to see all of it.
I was really intimidated to start this process but you made it easy and comfortable, so thank you.
We brought our son to Dr. Myszak recently; she was patient, flexible and kind and helped him feel comfortable. At first he was very anxious but she was willing to do whatever he needed to feel relaxed for his appointment so that he could do the different things he needed to for the assessment. By the time we left he really didn’t want to leave and was asking “if we could come back sometime.” The evaluation process was very thorough and she took her time not only gathering information but also answering questions and explaining things in a positive and encouraging way. We highly recommend her!
Dr. Jessica made me feel at ease throughout the consultation and assessments. It has changed almost every aspect of my life – relationships, self esteem, how I go about my day to day, work and self care. It significantly lowered my anxiety, just to understand my neurodivergence and know that it’s not my fault.
Dr. Myszak was a great listener and was able to capture my experiences so well. I felt like all of the information gathering was very formal and professional while still being personal. I am able to help people I know with receiving testing. Additionally I have learned so much more about myself.
Dr. Myszak made me feel completely at ease during the assessment. I was so anxious about seeking an assessment, answering the questions, and getting a confirmation of what I suspected or a different diagnosis that I put it off for literal years and when I took the plunge Dr. Myszak was there to guide me through the process and help me come to terms with what my diagnosis meant for me and my future. Some positive impacts since receiving my diagnosis have been receiving accommodations at work; finding a new therapist and psychiatrist that specialize in my condition, and feeling better and more hopeful about the future.
I felt heard, understood, and not judged. It totally changed my life. It validated my experiences and took away the guilt and shame that my challenges were just because I am bad at everything or don’t work hard enough. There isn’t anything officially available to me that wasn’t before (at least not that I use or access at this time) but personally my own acceptance of myself and recognizing my own needs as valid has made a huge difference in my life.
She was very open and understanding. She worked with me and listened to everything I had to say. I was able to receive accommodations at work and genuinely helped me understand myself better. The resources of additional therapists in the area that had worked with neurodivergent individuals helped link me to my current therapist.
I felt safe to share my experiences. I liked how Dr. Long validated what I was sharing and she really listened to me. It has helped me understand myself a lot better. I have insight into how my brain works and I can plan my life in a truly authentic way for the first time ever.
Dr. Long was kind, open, easy to talk to, and smart. I’m so glad I got this assessment and diagnosis. I can believe myself now! Yes all those things actually *are* harder for me. Just knowing is amazing, but when I realize I need an accommodation and ask for it, it’s life changing. It’s been difficult too, it’s brought up a lot of hard stuff with my family of origin.
Dr. Myszak was patient and professional. I didn’t feel rushed. I wasn’t expecting the diagnosis I received but she was kind and thorough in explaining the conclusions and rationale. The report was also very thorough. Learning that I was neuro diverse (ASD/ADHD) at 58 was more jarring than I expected and I’ve gone through a range of reactions (disbelief, denial, anger, acceptance). It made me reconsider a bunch of my past experiences and look closer at challenges in my relationships. I understand things now in a way that I didn’t before. I am getting counseling that is neuro diverse specific and taking some medication to help me. Both of these have had positive impacts.
Dr. Long was very respectful of my experiences and thoughts. She took into consideration my thoughts on my potential (at the time) diagnosis. She also diagnosed me with PDA, which is something I had not even heard of but now know about myself. It has helped me tremendously with understanding myself and helped explain this part of myself to my loved ones. Dr. Long was very compassionate and helpful throughout the whole process. I am able to receive accommodations at school now and I am proud to say that I am enrolled in college again. It has given me the courage and motivation to pursue higher education again now knowing I am able to be accommodated. I feel more confident in who I am and confident explaining who I am. I no longer feel ashamed for my past/history but wear it as a badge of courage. I had a rough life but it was worth it at the end once receiving my diagnosis.
The experience felt validating, compassionate, and non-judgmental. I was able to reveal information that I wasn’t comfortable revealing to previous psychologists. I’m continuing to process my diagnosis and how I will navigate my life going forward. I’ve suspected for years that I might be somewhere on the spectrum. However, it didn’t seem all that important to get assessed because I seemed to be living a relatively “normal” life. Then, in my early 40s, I was just plain struggling. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t quite where I wanted to be in life. I didn’t understand why I had so much difficulty forming and maintaining relationships. I didn’t understand why I felt like I was such a defective person. I didn’t understand why I felt like I was a bad person, despite not having done anything terrible to anyone and always working so hard to help others. Then, with the diagnosis, BOOM. Everything made sense. Not only did it make sense, but I realized that, technically speaking, I have a disability. (We could get into a whole discussion on what constitutes a disability and the medical vs. social models, but I actually find it helpful to know that I have a disability.) As someone with a disability, I don’t need to feel afraid or ashamed to speak up for myself and my needs. I don’t need to be afraid to ask for accommodations if I’m in an uncomfortable setting. I can feel assured that it’s not my fault that certain things are simply far more difficult for me than for most “normal” people, and I don’t need to beat myself up for being different. Again, I’m still in the process of getting to a point where I can fully and unashamedly accept myself for who I am. It’s much easier said than done. But I do feel that getting an autism diagnosis was a critical part of setting me in that direction.
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) Program
A gentle, science-based approach to supporting your nervous system. If you’ve been feeling on edge, disconnected, or “stuck” in stress—no matter how much you try to relax—the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) may help. SSP is a listening-based program that uses specially filtered music to gently retrain your nervous system to respond to safety cues, making regulation, connection, and focus more natural. In my practice, SSP is offered as a comprehensive program designed to fit your pace and needs.
Your SSP program includes:
Initial consultation to discuss your goals and ensure SSP is the right fit
Preparation session with personalized regulation strategies to use during the program
Access to the SSP music program for your use during the listening phase
Final integration session to reflect on changes, answer questions, and plan next steps
Your Investment: Covers professional time, materials, support, with the right balance of structure and flexibility.
Includes consultation, preparation, SSP program access, and final integration session.
Includes everything in the Standard Program plus 2 additional integration sessions for deeper support and continued progress
Available at any time after your program if you’d like additional follow-up or integration work
Many clients with a background in mental health may have the tools to use the SSP on their own. We offer access to SSP tools on a case by case basis for clients who already have a strong support network.
While the SSP music is at the heart of the process, the real impact comes from the guided experience—moving at your pace, having support when challenges arise, and learning how to carry your new regulation skills into daily life.
Think of it as nervous system retraining, done gently and with professional guidance. Most clients find the investment in SSP more than pays off in the form of calmer days, better connection with loved ones, and improved ability to focus and enjoy life.
SSP has been used successfully with children as young as three, teens, and adults. It can be especially supportive for autistic children (including PDAers), kids with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or emotional regulation challenges. The pace and structure are always customized to the individual, so we can adjust listening length, breaks, and support strategies to match your child’s comfort level.
Yes—with the right support and pacing. SSP was created with an understanding of how the nervous system responds to threat and safety, which is why we move gently and check in often. For clients with a trauma history, we begin with grounding and regulation strategies before starting SSP, and we go at a pace that feels safe. You’re in control at every step.
The music in SSP is specially filtered to target certain sound frequencies that interact with the vagus nerve and the muscles in your middle ear. This stimulation sends “safety signals” to your brain, helping to shift your nervous system out of constant defense mode. While calming music can be soothing in the moment, SSP is designed to create long-term changes in how your body processes safety cues.
It depends on your needs and goals. Some people move through the listening portion in a few weeks, while others spread it out over months to give their nervous system more time to adjust. Your program also includes preparation and integration time so the benefits last well beyond the listening phase.
Some clients feel calmer or more connected within the first few sessions, while others notice more gradual changes over several weeks. Common shifts include better sleep, improved focus, greater patience, and an overall softer baseline for daily life. The effects often continue to build even after you’ve completed the program.
That’s completely fine—and actually encouraged. The nervous system responds best when we honor its pace. If at any point you feel you need to take a break or spread sessions out, we’ll adjust the plan together. SSP is not a race, so there is no need to rush.
If you’d like to explore how SSP could help you or your child feel calmer, more connected, and more present, reach out to learn more!
