Valley Art Therapy Ltd.

02/11/2026

What is the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP)?

A gentle way to calm your nervous system.

02/07/2026

The Safe and Sound Protocol is gentle, body-based support for anyone whose nervous system has been “on alert” for too long.

It’s designed for both children and adults who find it hard to feel calm or connected, even when things seem okay on the surface.

You might benefit from the SSP if you experience:

✨ Chronic stress, anxiety, or burnout that doesn’t ease with rest

✨ Sensory sensitivities to sound, light, texture, or movement

✨ Trauma or PTSD, especially when talk therapy alone feels overwhelming or stuck

✨ Emotional highs and lows, reactivity, or shutdown that feel hard to control

✨ Difficulty feeling safe or connected in relationships or groups

✨ ADHD, Autism, or other forms of neurodivergence—to support regulation, focus, and ease in daily life

✨ Sleep problems, fatigue, or irritability related to chronic stress or overstimulation

✨ Children who struggle to settle, transition, or co-regulate with caregivers

​If you’ve tried other approaches and still feel stuck, the SSP can help shift your nervous system out of survival mode, opening space for calm, connection, and healing to take root.

Learn more, or schedule your free consultation on our website:
www.valleyarttherapy.com/ssp

02/05/2026

When your heart is racing and your thoughts feel loud or overwhelming, distraction can feel like relief.

Scrolling gives your brain something else to focus on — for a bit.

But it doesn’t actually help your body calm down.

And for a lot of teens, the anxiety shows up again later — maybe even stronger.

Anxiety isn’t just in your thoughts — it’s also in your body, which is constantly feeling on guard.

That’s why support that helps your body slow down and be present — not just distract — can make a real difference over time.

Here are 3 quick ways to slow your body down when anxiety hits (that work better than scrolling)

1. Change your breathing — longer out than in.
Try breathing in through your nose for 4, and out through your mouth for 6.
A longer exhale tells your body it’s safe to slow down.

2. Put your feet on the floor and name 5 things you can see.
Look around and name them quietly or out loud.
This helps your body realize you’re here, now — not in danger.

3. Use your hands.
Squeeze something, run your hands under warm water, hold a textured object, or press your palms together. Movement and pressure help your body settle when thoughts won’t.

Give these a try - and Save this for later.

02/04/2026

The Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) is a listening intervention designed to help your nervous system shift from protection into connection.

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges, founder of Polyvagal Theory, the SSP uses specially filtered music to send cues of safety to your body—helping you feel calmer, more present, and more connected.

At Valley Art Therapy, we are certified SSP providers and have supported both adults and children through this process.

Whether you’re managing anxiety, sensory sensitivities, trauma, or emotional regulation challenges, the SSP can help you feel more grounded and connected in daily life.

Connect with us to explore how the SSP might be a support for you or your child.

02/03/2026

Melanie has left us in very capable hands! Davey is stepping into her new role as Care Coordinator this week. We are so excited to have her joining our team.

Ready to schedule your session at Valley Art Therapy? Have questions? Please reach out to Davey at care@valleyarttherapy.com

01/31/2026

Healing is possible.

If you’re feeling drawn to do some trauma work, we’re here for it.
We’re grateful to be expanding our trauma therapy offerings and welcoming another EMDR clinician to the Valley Art Therapy team.

Cassidy is currently completing her training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and has a few openings for adults interested in this approach.

If this feels like the right next step, you’re welcome to book — or reach out if you’d like to learn more.

01/30/2026

Melanie is shifting out of her Care Coordinator role to create more time for her .colour.confidence passion. We are sad to see her go…but so excited for her as she fully steps into her gifts and talents as a Colour Analyst.

Her dedication to Valley Art Therapy has meant that her replacement is well trained and fully prepared to support you in accessing the care you are looking for.

01/29/2026

01/29/2026

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone.

For a lot of teens, overthinking is one of the ways anxiety shows up —
rereading texts, replaying conversations, wondering if you said the wrong thing, or trying to solve problems that haven’t even happened yet.

That busy brain is just your system trying to keep you safe.

You can’t always think your way out of overthinking.
And you don’t have to quiet it by yourself.

Support can help your nervous system settle first —
so the thoughts don’t have to work so hard.

We’re here to help.

01/27/2026