SSP Group vs. Individual: A Deeper Look
If you landed here from my other post — hi, welcome back. 💞
If this is your first stop: I also wrote a shorter, more list-y version of this question over here → Should I Do the SSP in a Group or Individually?
This one goes a little deeper. Because sometimes you need the quick version, and sometimes you want to really understand what you're choosing between before you decide. Both are valid. Both are very nervous-system-appropriate. 🦋
Not sure what the SSP even is yet? Start here → Common Misconceptions about the Safe & Sound Protocol or visit whatisthessp.com
What actually happens in an SSP Group?
An SSP Group is small and virtual — typically 4 to 6 folks — moving through the Safe & Sound Protocol together over 13 weeks. We meet weekly for sessions that are 2 hours and 15 minutes each.
Here's what a typical session looks like: we open together, do a somatic practice, check in, and then listen to the SSP playlist in three 10-minute rounds, with time to share and digest between each one. You access the playlist through an app on your phone, and you get to choose your own playlist, press pause whenever you need to, and move around your space while you listen. You're not required to stay synchronized with the group or sit still in front of your screen. Folks listen while folding laundry, bopping around their space, cozying up with pets, watering plants, making art. Whatever your nervous system needs in that moment.
What's woven through all of it is connection — with me, with the other group members, with your own nervous system. There's always space to share (and always space not to). No forced sharing, ever.
One participant described it as "a gentle space to land each week and spend intentional time tending to my nervous system." That feels right to me. It's a container — something steady to come back to, week after week, no matter what the rest of life is doing.
What actually happens in a 1:1 SSP experience?
A 1:1 experience is built entirely around you. We move at the pace of your nervous system, which means an individual journey takes 15 sessions or more — often longer. There's no timeline we're beholden to.
We can blend Somatic Experiencing with the SSP, slow the listening way down if we need to, add sessions when things feel big, and shape the container specifically around what your nervous system is asking for. You get my full attention in every session, and we can go wherever your process needs to go.
If you've done a lot of healing work and you know you need a very individualized, carefully held space — or if you're working with something particularly acute right now — 1:1 is often the right container.
The thing that's different about groups that I want you to know
I did my own SSP journey in a group. And I want to be honest with you about something: there was something that happened in that group container that I couldn't have gotten on my own, or even in 1:1 work.
When your nervous system is in a room — even a virtual room — with other nervous systems that are also orienting toward safety, something shifts. You're being witnessed. You're witnessing others. You're practicing being in relationship with safety while also being in relationship with other people. That's not incidental to the healing. For a lot of folks, that is the healing.
We learn our nervous system patterns in relationship. And a lot of us learn to heal in isolation. A group gently interrupts that pattern.
"Part of what I loved about the SSP was Jess's invitation to show up exactly as we were. Just before SSP began, I experienced some trauma in a group setting and felt hesitant about the group dynamic of this process. I was able to show up completely nonverbal and in tears the first day, and felt warmth and welcomed in this experience. As the weeks progressed, I was able to connect outward more to other members of the group as my nervous system allowed, and even initiated conversations and cracked some jokes! The SSP was healing on multiple levels for me, and this group dynamic was just one slice of the pie." — SSP Group Participant
Signs a group is probably right for you
You're craving connection and community around your healing, not just information or techniques. You have some support outside of our group — a therapist, a trusted person, someone to turn to if things feel big between sessions. You're nervous and excited, in roughly equal measure. Cost is a factor and the group model's accessibility matters to you. You do well with rhythm and structure — the predictability of a weekly container feels steadying rather than constraining.
And you want to practice being in relationship. Even gently. Even slowly. Even from the couch with your camera off sometimes.
If you want to read more about how the SSP is trauma-informed and what that actually looks like in practice, that's over here.
Signs a 1:1 experience is probably right for you (right now)
You know from experience that shared spaces tend to activate you more than support you. You need to move much more slowly through the listening than a group container allows. You're navigating something particularly acute and you need more individualized attention and care. The idea of being witnessed by others — even gently, even in a trauma-informed space — feels like too much of an ask for your nervous system at this moment.
This isn't a permanent answer. It might just be where you are right now. And a 1:1 experience can be its own beautiful, transformative journey.
You can learn more about the individual experience at softpathhealing.com/ssp-individual.
How to actually hear your own answer
Here's what I notice on connection calls: most people already have a lean when they come in. They've read the words, they've felt something — a shy excitement about joining a group or a knowing that 1:1 feels more easeful.
Trust that.
And if you genuinely can't tell, that's okay too. That's exactly what connection calls are for. After you apply, we get on a short Zoom and just talk. I'll share more about how I hold groups and what 1:1 looks like, you can ask anything, and we'll figure out together what feels right. I'll tell you honestly what I think — including if I think you need something I can't offer.
No pressure. Just a conversation between two nervous systems trying to figure out what's next. 💞
Ready to take the next step?
Two groups are open right now — the only ones until Fall:
🎶 Wednesday Evening Group | Starting March 4th, 6:30–8:45 PM EST | 4 spaces open
🎶 Monday Evening Group | Starting April 6th, 6:30–8:45 PM EST | 6 spaces open
Still not sure? Reach out. I'm here to help you figure out what feels right for your nervous system. 🦋
Jess Jackson (she/they) is a trauma-informed practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), and SSP provider at Soft Path Healing, based in Midcoast Maine and working virtually with clients across the globe.
Should I Do the SSP in a Group or Individually?
Should I do the SSP in a group or individually?" I get this question a lot. Here are 5 signs an SSP group might be a beautiful fit for your nervous system — and 1 sign it might not be.
This question comes up a lot: "Should I do the SSP in a group or individually?"
If you've been wondering the same thing, this is for you.
I've been leading SSP Groups and individual experiences for a few years now, and I've had a lot of conversations with folks trying to figure out which path is right for them. What I've learned is that your answer will always be unique to you and your nervous system — but there are some patterns I keep seeing. So I wanted to share some signs that an SSP group will probably be a beautiful fit, and when it might not be.
Hopefully these words, gleaned from years of leading groups, help you hear your own answer. 💞
Not sure what the SSP even is yet? Start here → Common Misconceptions about the Safe & Sound Protocol or visit whatisthessp.com
5 reasons an SSP Group might be the right fit for you:
💞 Connection & Co-Regulation
In a group, you can experience co-regulation and collective support — and the feeling that you're not alone. Your nervous system gets to practice being in relationship with relative safety alongside others on the same SSP journey.
There's something that happens in a group container that just can't be replicated in 1:1 work. When your nervous system is in the room (even a virtual room!) with other nervous systems that are also orienting toward safety, something shifts. You're not doing this alone, and your body knows it.
💰 More Affordable than 1:1 SSP
The group model makes this healing work more accessible. You get the full SSP experience for way less than a 1:1 container — think of it like community acupuncture. Same healing, different (and honestly kind of magical) container.
And groups aren't overwhelming — it's a cozy gathering of 4-6 folks. Not a big room full of strangers. A small handful of people finding their way toward safety together.
📅 13-Week Steady Structure with Weekly Sessions
We move through the SSP together over 13 weeks, which offers a clear container (with flexibility, of course!). Group members often report feeling anchored by our weekly time together — like having something steady to come back to, no matter what the week held.
If you're someone who does better with rhythm and predictability, that weekly anchor can be genuinely regulating in itself.
💬 Group Processing & Support
There's time to share about your experience and be deeply heard — if you want to. (It's also more than okay to be quiet! No forced sharing, ever.) You get to connect with folks who get what you're going through — the wins, the struggles, the "whoa that was so cool!" moments.
Being witnessed by people who are in it with you is its own kind of medicine.
🦋 You're Nervous AND Excited About Group Healing
If you're feeling a mix of nervous and excited about joining a group, that's often a good sign that you'll have a wonderful time. That particular combination — a little scared, a little brave — tends to show up when something is genuinely right for us, even if it's a stretch.
Not sure if your nervous/excited ratio is pointing toward yes? I can help you hear a clear answer on a connection call. 💞
"I'll admit it: When I'd first heard of Safe and Sound Protocol, I was… skeptical. After ten weeks of listening and several months to integrate everything, I am in disbelief over how SSP has not only helped me, but has challenged what I thought I knew about my own neurodivergence and mental health." — Sam, SSP Group Participant
1 reason a group might NOT be right for you (right now):
Sometimes, being in a group is too much for a sensitive nervous system that needs more 1:1 support. If you sense that a shared space might be more activating than supportive for you right now — that a group would ask more of your nervous system than it can comfortably offer — that's really important information, and it deserves to be honored.
This doesn't mean groups are off the table forever. It might just mean that right now, a 1:1 experience is the gentler, more supported container for where you are. And that's a completely valid answer.
You can learn more about what an individual SSP experience looks like at softpathhealing.com/ssp-individual.
Still not sure?
That's what connection calls are for. After you apply, we get on a short Zoom together and just... talk. You can ask me anything, I can share more about the SSP and how I hold groups, and we can figure out together whether a group or 1:1 is the right fit for you.
No pressure. Just a conversation.
Want to go even deeper on the group vs. individual question? I wrote a longer, more detailed version of this here → SSP Group vs. Individual: A Deeper Look.
Ready to join an SSP Group? 💫
If you're craving community and steadiness around your healing journey, I'd love to have you. And if groups feel like too much right now? That's important information too — and I'm still here to help you find the right fit.
Two groups are open right now — the only ones until Fall:
🎶 Wednesday Evening Group | Starting March 4th, 6:30–8:45 PM EST | 4 spaces open
🎶 Monday Evening Group | Starting April 6th, 6:30–8:45 PM EST | 6 spaces open
Still not sure? Reach out and let me know what questions you have. I'm here to help you figure out what feels right for your nervous system. 🦋
Jess Jackson (she/they) is a trauma-informed practitioner, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), and SSP provider at Soft Path Healing, based in Midcoast Maine and working virtually with clients across the globe.
Common Misconceptions about the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)
The Safe & Sound Protocol is a big piece of my work in the world, and today I was reflecting on the ideas folks have about the SSP before they begin, and what might be more true of their experience.
Read on and I will share a few of the misconceptions as well as my experience as a facilitator, and some reflections from folks I lead through this sound and nervous system healing journey.
😌✖️ You need to be passive, still and settled (like meditation) for the SSP to work.
👟🎨 You don’t need to be still or meditative to listen. You get to move your body, snack, puzzle or make art, stretch, etc. A big focus of the SSP is about being in our present moment experience and following the cues from our body and nervous system. Sometimes people think they need to be still/surrendered/lying down/calm to listen. But you don't! What do my clients do while they listen? Here's a short list of what people feel inspired to do:
Hang out with plants, nature, or animal friends
Organize, tidy or clean (I always joke they can come over to my place next)
Make art (we've had stitching, painting, crocheting, knitting, doodling, drawing and more)
Swing in a yoga swing
Cozy up on the couch or chair
Snack (one of my fave SSP activities - my body got hungry!)
Let activated energy move through walking, pacing, shaking and somatic practices
Turn to puzzles, fidgets, or other soothing activities
💎✖️ The music is similar to frequency healing or sound baths.
🎷🎼 The music has a special filtration and comes in different playlists and genres, but it often doesn't sound "different" to folks, even though the filtration sets it apart from what you might hear on the radio. It kind of sounds like what you'd hear on the radio, or in a yoga studio.
You can choose from cover songs, kids songs, classical, healing vibes or funky ambient tunes. There are instrumental and vocal playlists. Songs you will know, and songs composed especially for the SSP (this is helpful when we have negative associations with certain songs). You will get to choose what playlist to listen to, you can see the playlists before we begin, and I will help you find the right fit!
😰✖️ The experience will be really intense or overwhelming.
🌸🌖 I often say the SSP is “gently turbulent”. Yes, there are rocky moments, but it’s often the easiest healing modality folks have tried and they’re surprised that a lot changed without overwhelm. You don't need to dig into your trauma experience, although your shares and stories are welcome.
Folks often find me and the SSP after trying modalities that were too intense. The SSP is effective and impactful, but it really is gentle. It’s my job to help you have a gentle enough experience, and it's also my job to offer support when things feel too hard. Plus, many of my clients also see a therapist and having another space to process and receive support is highly recommended.
"Jess did a wonderful job facilitating our group and creating a space where everyone was encouraged to show up as they were. I enjoyed the SSP process and found it helped me relax, find more ease in my day, and rebound faster from stress. I highly recommend it and would do it again." - SSP Participant
1️⃣✖️ Listening on your own is just as effective as with a facilitator.
💞🎧 I know I’m biased, but listening within a group or 1-1 container means you have access to support, co-regulation and tools that might not exist on your own.
I did my SSP journey in a group and it added so much to my experience. On my own, I might have "gone through the motions" or listened really quickly. I might have missed out on being mirrored, hearing my shares reflected back to me, and learning somatic practices. I also might not have finished the SSP or gotten as much out of it. Left to my own devices, I can be very "girl dinner"/whatever. But something about being in a group, even though it's not your job to take care of the group, can help us show up for ourselves, too!
When you experience the SSP virtually, you get to be in your own space, with your own tools and creature comforts! You have the support and co-regulation of me as the facilitator, and your group mates if you choose to join a group. But you also have so much freedom to be out of camera view when being perceived is a lot and to explore your space while listening.
In my SSP group when I was a client, sometimes I wandered around my apartment; sometimes I was right in front of my computer; sometimes I rolled my chair out of camera view; sometimes I curled up on the couch.
“Part of what I loved about the SSP was Jess’s invitation to show up exactly as we were. Just before SSP began, I experienced some trauma in a group setting and felt hesitant about the group dynamic of this process. I was able to show up completely nonverbal and in tears the first day, and felt warmth and welcomed in this experience." - SSP Participant
If you have been feeling drawn to an SSP group or 1-1 experience, you can apply right here and book a connection call to feel out if a 1-1 or group experience would be best for you.
Not ready to apply yet? Click here to read all about how I offer the Safe & Sound Protocol.
The SSP, Safety-Seeking and Sensing Danger
There are so many ways our nervous system scans for safety and danger. Sound is one of them.
The SSP (Safe & Sound Protocol) uses sound to send the nervous system signals of safety, and as we receive this, big healing can happen.
When our nervous system and vagus nerve are bathed in the sounds of safety and connection, a lot can change. Our relationships, our nervous system, our way of being in the world.
There are so many ways our nervous system scans for safety and danger. Sound is one of them.
The SSP (Safe & Sound Protocol) uses sound to send the nervous system signals of safety, and as we receive this, big healing can happen.
When our nervous system and vagus nerve are bathed in the sounds of safety and connection, a lot can change. Our relationships, our nervous system, our way of being in the world.
And when we have an extended period of time through the SSP to experience and orient to these sounds of safety, and we are able to take slow sips of safety and connection, our survival patterns can shift. By working slowly and honoring nervous system capacity, these shifts take place without the overwhelm sometimes present in healing.
There is no shame in a nervous system that is more oriented to (and familiar with) danger or disconnection. Survival is the nervous system's goal, and it'll do whatever it takes to get there. Including staying glued to the look-out in case more danger awaits. This can often show up as hypervigilance and repeated scanning for safety or threat in the environment.
When we are offered sounds of safety in small amounts, we get practice being in relationship to safety. To okay-ness. To nothing-is-wrong-right-now-ness. And at first, it might feel strange. Boring. Unfamiliar. To scan and find that nothing-is-actually-wrong-right-now.
But over time, we might settle into it as a sense of safety settles into our nervous system.
And this is part of the magic of the SSP.
Head over to softpathhealing.com/ssp to learn more and fill out an application to work together. I’d love to help you and your nervous system experience more ease.