Accessing SSP
Important Information
SSP is a wonderful modality that can be absolutely life changing for many with improvements often resulting that can be anywhere from subtle to incredibly dramatic.
While it can take up to 2-7 weeks after completion of the SSP process for all of the improvements to appear, sometimes shifts can show up even within the first few minutes of listening.
However, there is also the potential with SSP for some things to get worse initially before they get better. We do our best to avoid this by paying close attention to how the nervous system is responding and pausing or going as slowly as needed, to keep the process gentle.
However, ideally we try to choose timing carefully. If anyone is feeling at the absolute limit of what they can cope with, or if there are upcoming events that may be quite stressful, it's not always the best time to begin SSP. Some exceptions do exist, please discuss this with me if you aren't sure of the best possible timing for you.
It's most ideal to choose a time when you may be able to slow down a little, to allow yourself to process should anything get bumpy.
It is also important to avoid doing SSP shortly before having any signficant dental work done. SSP is contraindicated for anyone with a recent head injury and/or a seizure disorder unless someone has been seizure free for at least one year prior to SSP.
If someone has any significant medical issues and/or bipolar depression, it is important to let me know that so that I can do a medical consult ahead of time, if needed.
It is also important that, when you listen to SSP that your (or your child) have someone that feels safe and comfortable present during listening. The support person's job is to notice if the listener looks at them and meet them with soft eyes, a smile, etc..
Part of how SSP works is by activating the social engagement systems and, while those systems might not come on board in a different way for some people until a few to several weeks after the process has been completed, for others, they may start to come on board immediately, and that process is supported best if someone is present that they feel safe and comfortable with.
If you do not have someone to be present with you during listening, it may still be possible to do SSP effectively. Please discuss this with me.
If more than one person in the home is doing SSP I prefer to run people sequentially rather than simultaneously as family life can get difficult if more than one person becomes dysregulated at the same time.
Process
For teens and adults, SSP typically begins with myself observing the beginning of listening during a session together, either online or in person. After that first listening session, the rest of listening is done without my being present. Instead, ideally you will have a friend or family member - someone you feel safe and comfortable with - present during listening. Their job is to simply be a safe presence and to notice if you look over wanting to connect with them and meeting you with soft eyes, a warm smile, or other forms of comfort and connection that feel good to you.
For children aged 12 and under, it is not necessary for me to observe the beginning of listening. Instead, a parent who has been advised by me how to proceed and what to watch for, will be observing all of their child's listening throughout the SSP process.
SSP Monitoring
For all ages, throughout the SSP process I require that people - the client or their parent - stay in touch with me over email, checking in ideally every day or few days to let me know anything different they are noticing in areas such as sleep, mood, focus, energy levels, digestion, sound sensitivities, and chronic pain levels, for example. This helps me to be understand how the nervous system is responding and to let you know when to slow down or to take days off from listening so that the process stays as gentle as possible, while allowing for the best possible improvements.
Devices
SSP is currently being offered through an app. You will need either a smart phone or a tablet. Newer MacBooks that have the M1 chip, or Chromebook can also be used. A "regular" laptop or desktop can not play SSP music.
If we are beginning listening with an online session, you will need to use a different device for the online session than the one you are using for the SSP app.
Headphones
For SSP listening, you will need a suitable set of headphones. Earbuds can not be used.
Headphones need to be over the ear ones with the big padded ear cups that completely surround the ears rather than just sitting on them, and they need to not have noise cancelling, unless that feature can be turned off, and not bass enhanced.
The headphones if they are not bluetooth, also will need to connect to the smartphone or tablet that the SSP app is on, and some may require an adapter depending upon your device.
If you don't already have a set of suitable headphones, ones that the Unyte-iLs company specifically recommends are OneOdio A70 or A71
If you or your child have difficulty with headphones please discuss this with me as we do have other options.
Fees
Billing occurs in Canadian currency, US equivalent fluctuates constantly. You can access a currency converter here to confirm what the current equivalent is in US or other currencies.
For anyone aged 12 or under, my fee for SSP with is $480 CDN (about $365 US). All of the listening is done under the observation of a parent or other support person that the child feels safe and comfortable with.
For anyone aged 13 or over my fee for remote use of SSP is $660 CDN (about $500 US). That fee includes an online session in which I observe the beginning of listening. In that session how much listening occurs will depend upon how your nervous system responds to the music. The session is likely to be about an hour long and during it you might listen to up to 30 minutes of SSP Core.
For those residing within Ontario Canada who have an extended health plan that covers counselling with social workers, a significant portion of the fee will be covered, within the limits of their plan.
Access to the SSP app for up to 4 months is included. If you need longer than 4 months to complete one round of SSP Core, there is an additional $50 CDN per month fee. When multiple family members are accessing SSP Core, I do increase the time with the app up to 6 months. This includes one round of Core per family member who is participating.
Family Discounts
If more than one person in the home would like to do SSP there is an additional $120 CDN fee for each additional family member aged 12 and under, and an additional $300 CDN fee for those aged 13 and over - the fee for those aged 13 and over again includes starting with an online session in which I observe the beginning of their listening.
Discounts on Subsequent Rounds of SSP
It is often beneficial to repeat SSP - we typically wait at least 3 months before doing so.
When a previous round of SSP was done with myself subsequent rounds of SSP Core are $320 CDN (about $245 US).
Further questions?
Please check the FAQ page for more information. If you can't find the information you are looking for or would like to discuss your our your child's specific situation,, please feel free to email me. If you'd prefer to speak by phone or online, please use my online scheduler to book an appointment, choosing the "SSP scheduling" and "SSP Client Intake" options under Carol Ann Brayley, MSW, RSW, SEP.
Ready to book an online listening session?
If SSP is for those aged 13 and over, we start with an online session in which I observe the beginning of listening.
I currently have a waiting list. Please contact me to be added to it.
Have questions you'd like to ask before booking?
Whether you are looking to access SSP for yourself or your child, I am happy to answer any questions you may have for no charge, via email.
Should you prefer to speak first by phone or in an online session, I am happy do so but due to a very high volume of enquiries I do schedule those appointments and charge my usual hourly rate for them.
Please click here to book an optional SSP client intake session.