The Safe and Sound Protocol, also known as SSP, is a non-intrusive application of basic, common sense clinical principles based on decades of scientific research developed by Dr. Earl Mindell, Ph.D. It was first developed to help physicians deal with patients who have had dental procedures performed on them, such as cavity fillings or root canals. In essence, it offers a way to translate what the patient is telling the doctor – his or her fears, concerns, and anxieties – into words that can be understood and translate into actual treatment options.
Dr. Mindell first developed the Safe and Sound Protocol back in the early 1960s. Although he believed that the protocol was best used for patients who were experiencing tooth pain, he also felt that it had an application in other areas of the healthcare industry. For example, he believed it to be useful for children suffering from severe headaches and fearful or anxious thoughts and feelings. The SSP works on two levels. On one level, it works as a non-intrusive intervention aimed at managing or detecting the underlying physiological or psychological issues behind the symptoms.
On the second level, the SSP is used to encourage the person undergoing treatment to engage in five consecutive days of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). The therapist hopes to retrain the mind and body to become calmer and more relaxed.