Connect and Grow Group

We are excited to offer a unique group therapy experience for teens living with anxiety. This five-week group is intended to support teens in managing anxiety and feeling more settled in their bodies. This group will be focused on nervous-system regulation skills and experiences using both group-format activities and an auditory, music-based intervention called The Safe & Sound Protocol. We have compiled this Q&A to help you learn more about this group and if it may be a good fit for you or your child.

  • The Safe & Sound Protocol is an auditory intervention that utilizes music to address a variety of concerns. It is rooted in Polyvagal Theory, developed by Dr. Stephen Porges.

    More detailed information on SSP is available here

  • Adolescents today are dealing with immense amounts of social isolation and loneliness, as well as increasingly high levels of anxiety and depression. Relationships with peers is also a crucial element to healthy development at this phase of life.

    It can be very scary to be vulnerable in a group, but we believe connecting with others in a safe group format can be a particularly powerful environment to experience healing from anxiety.

    Additionally, one of the benefits of the SSP is more openness to connection with others. Experiencing SSP in a group format allows a participant to have an enhanced experience with the social engagement benefits of SSP.

  • Outside of regular group time, participants will be asked to complete the SSP outside of session. The SSP is a total of 5 hours of listening, to be completed (generally,) over the course of 2-3 weeks. However, each participant will have an individualized plan of treatment that will inform their individual listening plans.

    Additionally, due to the unique nature of this intervention, each participant and their parent/guardian will complete an intake interview prior to the start of group. The SSP may not be a good fit for everyone, and we want to make sure you are fully informed prior to participating. If we believe the SSP may not be a good fit for you or your child’s concerns, we will make appropriate support and treatment recommendations.

    Parents and guardians will also be asked to participate in an education session on the SSP.

  • HeartSpace has funding support from the Boone County Children’s Services Fund. In order to be able to offer this group at no cost, we will ask participating families to complete before and after questionnaires that help us measure the impact of these interventions.

  • This group is designed for a small group sized, so space will be limited.

    An intake session required prior to participation in the group, where we will have questions about your child’s current concerns and mental health history, and other questions to assess if SSP is an appropriate intervention.

    To request an intake session, please email us at admin@heartspaceclinic.org