Counselling and Psychotherapy for Adults, Children, Teenagers and Families in Kew
The Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) is a non-invasive therapy designed for people of all ages to re-balance the autonomic nervous system and reduce stress while enhancing social engagement and resilience.
The SSP program can be used either as a stand-alone treatment but more commonly is used by therapists and mental health practitioners as an add-on therapy to help children and adults regulate their nervous system, process external cues more effectively and find a grounded state in which they feel safe and calm.
Once clients are able to regulate and settle their nervous system, they are able to respond more effectively to life’s challenges, build positive social and family relationships. Freed from being in a state of constant alarm or shut down, the child or adult’s ability to think clearly also becomes available enabling learning and communication.
The SSP works by stimulating the nervous system, specifically a nerve called the Vagus nerve. This involves listening to music which has been electronically altered and filtered to stimulate and exercise the Vagus nerve via the muscles of the ear. This trains the nervous system to focus on the sound frequencies of human speech and brings into a new experience of safety and, with that, engagement.
The listening is done via over the ear headphones in the safe space of the therapy room, or if suitable remotely at home, while quietly playing or simply listening. There are playlists created for both adults and children with popular musical tracks and the client is able to choose which playlist works best for them. The experience of comfort and safety whilst listening is an important part of the therapy and needs to be in place before treatment begins.
The listening is a form of exercise for the vagal nerve, it tones and challenges it just like other forms of exercise. Through this exercise we become more able to move into feeling safe and engaged with others.
When we feel safe:
The SSP is an appropriate therapy for anyone from about 3 years and over. It is of benefit to most individuals regardless of their situation but particularly for those experiencing anxiety or depression, have a history of trauma or are in some way neuro-diverse. Indeed, the therapy, developed by Dr Stephen Porges,was initially developed for children with Autism.
Many experience immediate benefit, feeling calmer and more connected; for others it may take a number of weeks to feel the full benefit.
There are no side-effects of SSP but you or your child may well notice sensations or emotions during or after the listening, such as both extra energy or unusual tiredness. Your child may become more talkative or want more of your support or attention. I will offer support and information about how to offer support to your child during the listening.
Experience the benefits of the natural world
at your pace
in an environment that works for you.
Talking to a counsellor outside the confines of the therapy room brings huge benefits and suits many clients better than the traditional forms of therapy, which may feel too intense or challenging. Not only does it offer a gentler introduction to speaking about yourself, the very act of being outside in a natural setting brings enormous benefits.
We have always known that “a breath of fresh air”, a calming walk or listening to birds improves our mood but it is only in the last few decades that scientists have begun to study this with rigour. The results are both astonishing and conclusive – the natural world is a prescription that can boost both mental and physical health.
For example spending time outside and interacting with nature:
Walk and talk counselling is simply as it sounds – the opportunity to engage in talking therapy while walking side by side with your counsellor. It offers the same levels of confidentiality and support but in a natural setting such as a park or open space. It does not require any particular levels of fitness and is not a fitness session. If you like walking and are comfortable with that we will walk at your own pace. If you want to experience the benefits of being in nature without walking we can also find a suitable place to sit to speak. Either way, you will experience the same sense of being heard and understood as in indoor therapy, alongside the powerful experience of being in the natural world. Many clients find this way of working less intimidating and more liberating. Some use it as an introduction before transferring to seated, indoor counselling.
The aim of this form of therapy is not only an improvement in mood, understanding, health and well-being, but also, through the use of exercises and experiential activities such as mindfulness, to develop a new relationship with the natural world that will continue to bring benefits throughout your life.
Registered and insured member of the BACP, the lead accreditation organisation widely recognised by General Practitioners, the NHS, and private healthcare providers.
Phone and Online Counselling.
Over the past year much of our lives has had to move online. Many therapists whose clients wished to continue receiving support found themselves needing to adapt to a new way of working, either mirroring the experience of the therapy room through Zoom or FaceTime, or verbally by phone or in an asynchronous way through email or text.
Does it work?
Online therapy is absolutely not second best. It is different from working face-to-face but no less effective. A study of over 4,000 clients (see below) found that online therapy “consistently produced treatment effects that were largely equivalent to in-person delivered interventions”. Whether working online is suitable for you and your concern is something we will discuss during an initial meeting and assessment.
How does it work?
There are a number of possible ways of delivering remote therapy and the option you choose will depend on your circumstances and the technology and space available to you. After a short introductory phone call we will arrange a longer call or Zoom session to meet and discuss how to proceed.
Many aspects of online counselling are the same as they would be for in-person work, for example we will create a joint working agreement or contract and I will maintain the same levels of privacy, confidentiality, safeguarding and GDPR regulated data protection as in face-to-face work.
I will also need to take an emergency contact and GP details. Your safety is my primary concern and because I am not in the room with you I need to know who to contact if you become unwell or are in any way at risk.
The most important aspect of counselling is that you feel heard and understood. This can be experienced just as well online as face-to-face. Online and phone counselling can help with many of the same issues as face to face counselling, such as anxiety, stress, depression, self-esteem and confidence issues, loss and family relationship problems.
Mark Stanley is a senior business advisor and non-executive director of The Whole Partnership (www.thewholepartnership.com). A Chartered Accountant who co-founded Eaglemoss Publishing Group in 1980, Mark worked initially as finance director and then CEO. Using systemic approaches and support, he developed the firm into an £85m+ global publishing business when it was sold in 2007.
Since then, Mark has been working as a member of the Advisory Board for Maxxim Consulting and in a number of other non-executive director positions, including Greenled Light Ltd, a supplier of energy saving LED lighting solutions. He has also trained extensively in Systemic Coaching and Organisational Constellations, and enjoys passing on his business and systemic wisdom. He has recently undertaken an ICF Accredited Diploma in Coaching at Coaching Development, London.
My interest is in accompanying you on a journey that enables you to come more fully into your potential. I will support you in discovering and freeing yourself from the limiting patterns and beliefs that may be inhibiting your performance in the world. I work from home or at a mutually convenient alternative location; session frequency and length are flexible depending on your needs. I am able to offer online work although my preference is for an initial 1 hour face to face session.
Please feel free to contact me on 07766 774796, I am happy to talk through what it is you are looking for and how I might best be able to serve that need.
Mark.
