Experiences & Case Studies - Safe and Sound Protocol
This page contains anonymized case reports of clients who followed the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) or the Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP), guided by SoundTherapy and BrainArts. The eight cases include social anxiety, developmental trauma, ME/CFS, Long Covid, PTSD, sensory hypersensitivity in children and family therapy.
The case studies on this page reliably illustrate the breadth of situations in which the Safe and Sound Protocol has been used effectively. Each client received a personalized listening schedule based on the written intake - not a standard protocol, but customization tailored to the individual's complaints, sensitivity and carrying capacity of the nervous system.
The guidance is set up by William Bolle (certified SSP therapist, SoundTherapy) in collaboration with Shahera el Katib (GZ psychologist, BrainArts psychology practice). The scientific basis is the Polyvagal theory by Dr. Stephen Porges, where filtered vocal music trains the middle ear muscles and the vagus nerve stimulates - the regulation system of the autonomic nervous system.
Case Studies - Safe & Sound Protocol & RRP
Experiences of clients guided by SoundTherapy, part of BrainArts psychology practice
Case Study 01
From social anxiety to connection
Young woman | Social anxiety disorder | SSP Core & Balance
Background & Complaint Presentation
Nina (fictitious name) is a woman in her early twenties working as an employee in a large office in a Dutch city. She contacted SoundTherapy through BrainArts psychology practice's website after years of walking around with severe social anxiety symptoms that significantly hindered her daily life.
Her complaints began to manifest in early adolescence and had gradually spread to almost all social situations. At initial contact, Nina described the following core symptoms:
- Intense physical stress reactions in social settings (sweaty hands, hot flushes, unpleasant feeling in the abdomen)
- Fear of being judged or watched by others in public places
- Avoidance behavior in crowds, public transportation, restaurants and office environments
- Difficulty establishing spontaneous contact or starting a conversation
- Anticipation anxiety prior to social situations
- Increased vigilance and alertness in the presence of others
At work, Nina avoided the aisles and worked from a quiet corner as much as possible. Situations where she used to encounter someone who triggered her anxiety led to outright panic-like physical reactions that sometimes lasted for hours.
Nina had previously attended regular talk therapy, which had given her some insight but had done little to reduce her physical stress reactions. Through online research, she stumbled upon Dr. Stephen Porges“ polyvagal theory and then Sound Therapy. ”I read that it does something to your nervous system,“ she wrote in her intake. ”I was really hoping there would finally be something that would work in my body, too."
Treatment Team & Context
The course was supervised by William Bolle (SSP therapist, SoundTherapy) in collaboration with Shahera el Katib (GZ psychologist, BrainArts). SoundTherapy is part of BrainArts psychology practice, active since 2010, with more than 1,200 clients counseled online with SSP and RRP and hundreds of clients through other mental health pathways.
After receiving the written intake, the listening schedule was individually tailored to Nina's symptom profile and physical sensitivity. Given the severity of social anxiety and physical reactivity, a conservative starting dose was chosen.
Diagnostic Framework
Based on the intake and polyvagal conceptualization, Nina's pattern of symptoms was understood as a chronic overactive sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight activation) in social situations. The social nervous system - referred to in polyvagal theory as the ventral vagal system - was suppressed, structurally hindering safe connection with others. SSP was developed specifically to train and strengthen this ventral vagal system.
Treatment course
Intake & Preparation
Nina completed the comprehensive written intake. Based on this, it was decided to begin with SSP Connect (unfiltered music) for introductory purposes before moving on to SSP Core. A listening schedule was established with the following basic agreements:
| Starting dosage | 1 minute a day for 3 days |
| Headphones | Over-the-ear, without noise cancellation |
| Recommended activities | Sitting quietly, drawing, or meditation |
| Discouraged | Exercise, eating, screen use, conversations |
| Construction | 1 → 2 → 5 → 10 → 15 → max. 20 min per day |
| Maximum listening time | 20 minutes per day |
| Monitoring | Keep log; reactions may occur up to 24 hours after session |
Phase 1: SSP Connect (Weeks 1-2)
Nina started with SSP Connect. She experienced the music as pleasant and discovered that she preferred the classical version. There were no side effects. She quietly built up the listening time and reported after the first week that she already felt “a little calmer” after listening.
Phase 2: SSP Core (Weeks 3-10)
After activation of SSP Core, the schedule was maintained as agreed upon. In the initial phase, Nina carefully adhered to the build-up steps. Around week four, she described a first notable moment: she stood in the aisle at work and noticed to her own surprise that she felt no anxiety about it. “It was like that anxiety just wasn't there,” she said.”
Especially striking was a social situation during a concert. She met someone with whom she would normally always react violently physically. She had expected a strong stress response - but it did not occur. Her partner afterwards called her “another Nina.”.
Similar experiences occurred at work (being able to walk quietly through space), on public transportation, in restaurants and other crowded places. Making spontaneous contact - something previously unthinkable - became easier.
Phase 3: SSP Balance (Weeks 11-16)
After completing Core, Balance was activated as a maintenance dosage. Nina learned to use the Balance function as a “state-shifter”: as soon as she signaled increasing overstimulation or anxiety, she listened to Balance for 10 minutes, after which her system calmed down noticeably.
“It's a burden off my shoulders. I easily make small talk with someone now, which I didn't dare before because I was afraid people would look at me and have an opinion. So for all a big social fear that is gone.”
- Nina, SoundTherapy client (anonymous)Results
- Virtually complete decrease in physical stress response in social situations
- Loss of constant social vigilance: “It's a burden off my shoulders”
- Effortlessly connect with strangers - something not possible before
- Reduced avoidance behavior in public spaces, public transport and social settings
- Improved ability to stay present in challenging situations
- Increased sense of inner peace and calmness
Clinical consideration
This case illustrates the power of body-oriented intervention in social anxiety where cognitive understanding (via talk therapy) was not sufficient to break through somatic fear reactivity. By training the ventral vagal system via acoustic stimulation, the neuroceptive signals of insecurity in social contexts could fundamentally shift. The changes occurred without direct cognitive instruction, supporting the bottom-up operation of the polyvagal theory.
Using SSP Balance as a maintenance tool fits into a sustainable approach to autonomic regulation: the client learns to modulate her system herself.
Guidance & Safety
William Bolle was available throughout for questions and adjustments. There was active monitoring via logbook and regular contact moments. No serious side effects occurred. The written intake, personalized listening schedule and ongoing availability of the counselor were essential to the safe progression.
Case Study 02
Developmental trauma uncovered
Middle-aged woman | Developmental trauma | Chronic neck pain | SSP Core & Balance
Background & Complaint Presentation
Sofie (fictitious name) is a woman in her mid-forties who reported to SoundTherapy with a multiple pattern of symptoms that had accompanied her for decades. Despite extensive treatment history - including talk therapy, body-oriented therapy and self-help - she experienced no fundamental improvement in her basic sense of insecurity.
At intake, the following complaints were described:
- Chronic “gnawing feeling” of insecurity: the feeling that something terrible could happen at any moment
- Chronic neck and shoulder pain (her entire adult life)
- Tension in driving
- Persistent inner turmoil
- Difficulty setting boundaries and taking care of oneself
- Recurring feelings of exhaustion
Sofie believed that her symptoms were psychological in nature. She had never before told anyone - or herself - that the problems were also physically anchored. This misunderstanding had significantly shaped her years of help-seeking process.
Treatment course
Phase 1: Introduction & Connect
Sofie started with SSP Connect as an introduction. She soon felt more comfortable listening. There were no particular reactions at this stage.
Phase 2: SSP Core - Early Phase.
After several days of listening, Sofie described:
- “Bubbles” in her ears and tension in her jaws while listening
- Increasing fatigue after the first sessions
- Severe, deep pain between the shoulder blades - in a place that appeared to be directly linked to a traumatic memory from her childhood
It was explained through William Bolle that physical sensations can be part of the integration process and that delayed reactions are normal. On advice, Sofie took the pace back. She canceled self-imposed obligations and took conscious rest for the first time in her life.
“I always thought my problems were psychological, but realizing that it really is literally in my body is an eye opener for me. I also realize now that I really need to take time and rest to heal and that I really deserve that.”
- Sophie, SoundTherapy client (anonymous)Phase 3: Consolidation & Balance
After completing Core, Sofie reported significant improvements. She herself requested a second round of listening (SSP Freely) and Balance for maintenance. William Bolle recommended a rest period of at least four weeks before starting again.
Results
- Clear reduction in chronic neck and shoulder pain
- Strongly diminished sense of chronic insecurity and “gnawing” anxiety
- Reduction of tension when driving
- First steps taken in self-care and setting boundaries
- Deep insight into the physical roots of her complaints
- Improved carrying capacity and less difficulty resting
Clinical consideration
This trajectory shows the typical activation phase that can occur in clients with developmental trauma: the nervous system, now more regulated, can uncover previously stored traumatic information. This was not treated as a side effect, but as part of the healing process. The understanding that symptoms are somatically stored brought about a paradigm shift for Sofie that overturned years of frustrated help-seeking.
Case Study 03
ME/CFS: small steps, big shifts
Woman in her 50s | ME/CFS | Complex Fatigue Complaints | SSP Core (extremely gradual build-up)
Background & Complaint Presentation
Irene (fictitious name) is a woman in her 50s who has suffered from ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) for several years. When she applied to SoundTherapy, she had already spent almost exclusively bedridden, barely able to engage in any activities and endured a six-month period of virtually no exercise.
Her complaint profile included:
- Extreme and rapidly occurring fatigue on exertion (Post Exertional Malaise - PEM)
- Sleep disorders and non-vigorous sleep
- Cognitive complaints (brain fog, difficulty concentrating)
- High sensitivity to stimuli (sounds, light, movement)
- Comorbid trauma history
“Everyone with ME/CFS should know and use this method! It really is a game changer.”
- Irene, SoundTherapy client (anonymous)Risk Consideration & Adjustments
In ME/CFS, there is a risk of PEM - a worsening of symptoms after even minimal crossing of the personal energy threshold. The listening schedule was tailored accordingly:
| Starting dosage | Sometimes only a few seconds a day (well under 1 minute) |
| Maximum listening time | Max. 10-12 minutes per day (self-determined, intuitive) |
| Construction principle | Stop at the first sign that it's getting “too much” |
| Volume | Kept soft because of high irritability |
| Additions | In combination with frequency work, sun, and other soft modulations |
Treatment course
First weeks: Cautious start
Irene started with short-term sessions - sometimes just a few minutes. She immediately noticed that listening at night before bed had a positive effect on sleep depth: ’Listening before I go to sleep has a very positive effect on deeper sleep.“
Weeks 4-8: Gradual build-up
Gradually, Irene built up to 10 to 12 minutes per session. She learned to read her system carefully: as soon as she noticed that her head “couldn't take it anymore,” she stopped immediately. She described that although she was still housebound, she was making “quantum leaps” compared to the millimeter-steps before.
“I'm still housebound, but I'm making quantum leaps compared to before, when it was mm steps. Brings me back to life well.”
- Irene, SoundTherapy client (anonymous)Results
- Significant improvement in sleep quality and depth
- Increased energy levels (from almost completely bedridden to cautiously active)
- Improved cognitive functioning (less brain fog)
- Improved sensory processing: less extreme reactions to external stimuli
- Growing self-awareness of own energy limits and stress thresholds
Clinical consideration
ME/CFS is increasingly understood as a disorder in which dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system plays a central role. The SSP, via acoustic stimulation of the vagus nerve and ventral vagal system, provides a body-centered input that does not rely on cognitive or physical effort - crucial for this target group. “Going slow is healing faster” applies nowhere more literally than in ME/CFS.
Case Study 04
A child in bloom
Child (7 years) | Sensory hypersensitivity | Attention & behavioral symptoms | SSP Connect & Core
Background & Application
Luca (fictitious name) is a seven-year-old child who was referred to SoundTherapy by his parents. The parents had come to the SSP after regular interventions - speech therapy, occupational therapy and observation - had brought few concrete breakthroughs.
At registration, parents described the following complaints:
- Extreme fear and reticence in new behaviors (slide, swing, scramble)
- High sensory hypersensitivity to touch and sound
- Sleep problems
- Stomach Pain
- Difficulty with concentration and attention regulation
- Limited spontaneous play and withdrawn behavior
Treatment course
Week 2-4: First noticeable changes
Within just two weeks of starting listening, parents reported notable behavioral changes. Luca began voluntarily going on the slide, climbing on the climbing swing and taking his first steps in spontaneous play.
Week 4-6: Breakthrough - “another child”
After four weeks, the change was so apparent that even the occupational therapist - previously unfamiliar with the SSP - reacted with amazement. She described Luca's behavioral change as “black and white.”
“By 4 weeks in, he was a different child. He started playing, climbing, talking with friends on the playground, going down slides, and started asking for hugs. The occupational therapist is so happy with his progress that she wants to learn about SSP!”
- Manon, mother of Luca (anonymous)Feedback from school
“After a while, it began to be noticed that he entered the classroom without the slight tension about what this day would bring again. He succeeded more and more in focusing on the work and staying with it with his attention. Where before it was a chore to get the work done, now he succeeded. As a result, his self-confidence grew and his school day became more relaxed. His motor skills also became smoother.”
- Teacher of Luca (anonymous)Results
- Dramatic decrease in movement anxiety and avoidance of physical activities
- Greatly improved tolerance to sensory stimuli (sound, touch)
- Improved concentration and attention regulation at school
- Improved sleep
- Increased social engagement (playing more, connecting)
- Spontaneously expressing affection (asking for hugs)
- Smoother motor skills
Clinical consideration
In children with sensory hypersensitivity and behavioral symptoms, the autonomic nervous system is often in a chronic alarm state. SSP, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges specifically for children with autism and sensory problems, provides an acoustic input that recalibrates the neuroperception of safety. This results in cascading improved functioning: from sensory tolerance, to attention, to social engagement.
The fact that Luca's changes were observed by parents as well as occupational therapist and teacher - people who did not know about the protocol - reinforces the ecological validity of the results.
Case Study 05
Return after Long Covid
Woman in her late forties | Long Covid | Fatigue complaints | Stimulus processing problems | SSP Core
Background & Complaint Presentation
Nathalie (fictitious name) is a woman in her late forties who applied to SoundTherapy after more than four years of disability due to Long Covid. Her symptom pattern included severe fatigue, overstimulation with minimal exertion, sleep problems, brain fog and sound sensitivity.
Approach: Start via speakerphone
Given her extreme sensitivity to stimuli, the course was set up with extreme caution:
| Starting variant | SSP Core via speaker (without headphones) |
| Starting dosage | 1 minute per day, building up slowly |
| Max listening time phase 1 | 15 minutes via speaker |
| After Core | SSP Balance: 10 min/day via speaker (4 weeks) |
Treatment course
After a few weeks of listening, Nathalie described a first, tangible change: her energy was improving. After four years of disability, she began preparing to return to a part-time office role.
“I believe I am finally on the healing side. I have energy, still weak but the energy is there, and even when I do things I feel good the next day.”
- Nathalie, SoundTherapy client (anonymous)A second client with a similar Long Covid profile described her experiences after repeating Core:
“I can already tolerate stimuli better again and my energy is also improving in small steps. I can feel the change in my body. Thank you very much for your guidance, which I have found very pleasant.”
- Anonymous client with Long Covid, SoundTherapyResults
- Improved energy levels after years of near-complete disability
- Increased stimulus tolerance
- Improved sleep quality
- Return to partial work (part-time office) after 4 years
- Decreased brain fog and improved concentration
Clinical consideration
Lung Covid is being conceptualized by a growing group of researchers as a condition in which the vagus nerve has become dysfunctional following infection. SSP provides non-invasive acoustic stimulation of this system. The choice to start through a speaker instead of headphones is often essential for Long Covid clients: the intensity of headphones can overly activate an overexcited nervous system.
Case Study 06
Out of the freeze - back into life
Woman in her early thirties | Complex trauma/PTSD | Dissociation | Dorsal shutdown | SSP Core & Balance
Background & Complaint Presentation
Eva (fictitious name) is a woman in her early thirties with a history of complex trauma and PTSD. She reported to SoundTherapy after extensive attempts at recovery through EMDR, cognitive behavioral therapy and other modalities. Eva described herself as someone who “spends most of the time in dorsal shutdown” - a state of deep withdrawal characteristic of the nervous system's response to insurmountable threat.
- Chronic dissociation: “like a zombie,” detached from the body, fuzzy
- Frequent dorsal vagal shutdown: frozen state, very low energy
- Sleep problems and recurrent anxiety
- Problems taking action and performing daily tasks
Results after first round
After completing the first round of Core, Eva wrote a comprehensive retrospective. She described herself as more present, with growing ability to go to EMDR processing - something that had previously seemed impossible to her.
“I have noticed that I'm more present, less dissociating and less of a zombie than before. Also more organized and clear in my thoughts, can see and understand my thought pattern better, am more prone to resolve and approach things, a little more assertive and a tiny bit less withdrawn than 3 months ago.”
- Eva, SoundTherapy client (reproduced anonymously, with permission)Results
- Significant decrease in dissociation and “zombie state”
- Improved cognitive clarity and self-understanding
- Growing capacity for action and organization
- More present in the body
- Better access to emotional material - without becoming overwhelmed
- Increased readiness for further trauma processing (EMDR)
Clinical consideration
Dorsal vagal shutdown is a state that is difficult to achieve with cognitive interventions alone: the nervous system is “too deeply” withdrawn to receive cognitive regulation strategies. SSP provides a direct acoustic input that can break this. By explaining this to Eva, she was able to get through the initial uncomfortable phase without stopping prematurely - a crucial element of counseling with this type of client.
Case Study 07
RRP and the path to inner security
Male late thirties | Attachment and developmental trauma | Sleep & digestive complaints | RRP (Rest & Restore Protocol)
Background & Complaint Presentation
Stefan (fictitious name) is a man in his late thirties who works full time and attends weekly trauma therapy sessions in addition to his work to process attachment and early childhood developmental trauma. Previous modalities - Brainspotting, TRE and IFS - had little effect or were always overwhelming. Stefan switched to Unyte iLs' RRP (Rest and Restore Protocol), a protocol developed by Anthony Gorry and Dr. Stephen Porges, specifically aimed at restoring physiological resting and the innere safety state.
His pattern of complaints:
- Sleep problems: waking up several times a night
- Digestive complaints and intestinal problems
- Chronic vigilance and stress
- Dissociation and flat affect in certain areas of life
Treatment course - 4-month iteration
Over a four-month period, Stefan built up from 30 seconds to 5 minutes per session on volume 2, with one rest day per session. Characteristics of the progression:
- Almost every session: feeling of inner peace and security afterwards
- Regular physical tremors - referred to as forms of energy release
- Intense dreams - referred to as active trauma processing
- Gradual improvement in sleep quality and duration
- Better digestion
“RRP helped me to be much more regulated during life and face the daily challenges - but also trauma work - with more energy and stability and thereby progressing faster with those things while even feeling better during the process.”
- Stefan, client SoundTherapy (anonymous) | Rating: 5/5Results after 4 months
- Sleep: from waking up multiple times to 6-8 consecutive hours
- Before stressful events: no more lying awake
- More energy during the day; pressure at work more manageable
- Reduced dissociation: better feeling of body and emotions
- Improved digestion
- Trauma therapy sessions smoother and more effective
Clinical consideration
This trajectory illustrates the added value of the RRP for clients with early childhood and attachment trauma, where the nervous system structurally lacks experiential memory for a physiological safety state. RRP provides a foundation upon which other therapeutic modalities - such as EMDR or IFS - can build. A core principle of SoundTherapy: the dosage is the dosage at which the client feels more themselves afterwards, not less.
Case Study 08
The whole family in balance
Family | Multiple Participants | Sensory Hypersensitivity | Anxiety | System Change | SSP Core & Balance
Background & Context
Karin (fictitious name) is a middle-aged woman who signed her family up with SoundTherapy after a long search for an affordable and effective approach for multiple family members at once. She had gained extensive knowledge of polyvagal theory but had never been able to afford the associated therapies financially.
“I have been dealing with this subject for a long time and have been deeply impressed and convinced. However, I have never been able to financially afford the associated offerings or therapies. I am so happy and grateful.”
- Karin, at registration (anonymous)The family consisted of:
- Karin herself: chronic overstimulation, sleep problems, increased stress reactivity
- Tim (fictitious name, young child): social withdrawal, increased alertness, behavioral symptoms
- Partner: increased irritability and stress reactivity
Approach: Starting in sequence
Karin started first. This is common in families: a regulated parent is the best co-regulatory presence for a child. After only her first minute of listening, Karin described a noticeable change in the family atmosphere.
“It is probably no coincidence that family life and the whole dynamic between the four of us changed a lot after my first minute. I would even dare to say that in the past 10 years it has been so peaceful, loving and harmonious for more than one day.”
- Karin, SoundTherapy client (anonymous)Treatment course Tim (child)
Tim started SSP via loudspeaker. Within the first listening sessions, the parents began to describe tentative changes: he became softer and calmer, more cooperative and approachable. For the first time, he began spontaneously saying daily that he loved his parents and sister. His teacher noticed better concentration and smoother motor skills.
Partner
Karin's partner didn't notice a big difference himself at first - but Karin observed. He was “much more relaxed and less easily irritated.” This pattern - where the environment notices the change before the person does - is characteristic of subtle nervous system regulation.
Summary results family
| Family Member | Changes |
|---|---|
| Karin | Better sleep, lower blood pressure, fewer mood swings, more inner peace |
| Tim | Softer behavior, more connection, better concentration, improved motor skills, less tension |
| Partner | Clearly noticeably calmer and less irritability (reported by partner) |
| Family System | Significantly improved family dynamics, more harmony and connection |
Clinical consideration
This case illustrates the systemic effect of SSP: regulating one family member has a direct effect on co-regulatory dynamics in the family as a whole. This is consistent with polyvagal theory, which emphasizes that one person's autonomic nervous system actively influences another person's nervous system through neuroceptive signals - facial expression, tone of voice, body posture.
What clients say
Below is a selection of experiences - anonymized, shared with permission. All names are fictitious.
“I really notice a difference. Have become calmer and feel stimuli much better. I can now sense if I'm tired or feeling a little down and can respond better to that. The guidance was nice - always an answer when I needed it. Overall: successful!”
“For years I thought my symptoms were purely psychological. Realizing that it really is literally stored in my body has been an eye opener. SSP has put me on a track that I know really helps me. For the first time, I am taking rest and really taking care of myself.”
“After the first week I already noticed that I am more present and at the same time calmer. I have more inner space to regulate myself and make inner decisions before I react to anything. That really wasn't possible before. Great.”
“I have more energy and motivation. I sleep better and wake up rested - that hasn't been the case in six years. The gloom I had for ten years has almost completely disappeared. How is it possible that listening to music can change my life so much? But the difference is felt every day.”
“I can already tolerate stimuli better again and my energy is progressing step by step. I can feel the change in my body. After years of stagnation, this is incredible. I have found the guidance very pleasant - always accessible, always good advice. Thank you for everything.”
“After my first listening session, the atmosphere in our family was already different. Calmer, more loving. And my husband wasn't participating at the time! I am so glad I was able to do it affordably - finally. My nervous system is more regulated and I have become more communicative. This is a gift to our whole family.”
Perhaps this is a good time to start.
You don't have to force anything. Only listen.
Sign up for the Safe and Sound Protocol - then we will contact you for your personal written intake. Which you can complete at your convenience, with no rush and no pressure.
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