Listening Therapies

What is Rest and Restore Protocol?

Developed by Dr. Stephen Porges (the neuroscientist behind Polyvagal Theory) and music producer Anthony Gorry, Rest & Restore Protocol (RRP) is a structured, clinical-grade listening therapy designed to alter your biological nervous system state through acoustic stimulation. RRP uses music that is specifically engineered to alter the function of the middle ear muscles, restoring activity to the Vagus Nerve. RRP additionally uses the process of entrainment to help the body sync up to embedded ryhtyms of heart and breath rate to return to a state of inner safety, regulation, and relaxation.

While many are initially skeptical that passive listening could provide such radical results, we have seen the following benefits:

  • Trauma (including BPD, CPTSD, OSDD, DID)

  • General Anxiety, Social Anxiety, Hypervigilance, startle reflex, Panic Attacks

  • Depression, Dissociation

  • Anger, Rage

  • Difficulties processing grief

  • Addictions / cravings

  • Burnout

  • OCD

  • Sleep disorders (insomnia, nightmares)

  • Chronic pain and illness

  • Digestive problems (IBS, bloating, constipation)

  • ADHD

  • Auditory sensitivity and processing (including misophonia)

  • Arthritis

  • PMS and PMDD

  • Attachment Style Relationship Patterns

  • Easier communication with friends and family members

There have even been people who have used RRP and other listening therapies on their pets to real improvements!

Finding Rest

RRP was developed as a sister program to Dr. Porges’ Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP). Where SSP focuses on training the nervous system for social engagement and connection, RRP is designed to guide the body into recovery and inner peace. RRP is built on the proprietary technology called Sonocea®, which embeds biological rhythms like heartbeat and breath into specifically composed soundscapes to encourage the nervous system to settle into a state of balance.

RRP is delivered exclusively through Unyte Health, a neuro-tech company that provides clinical-grade, evidence-based therapeutic listening solutions, and is a leader in the field of nervous system health.

RRP is offered as a structured, listening course that is always administered under the guidance of a trained, certified provider, integrating it into a broader treatment plan

What to Expect

The music is accessed, typically daily, through the Unyte app on your phone.

While some report immediate sensations of calm and peace, many clients - especially those who live in chronic states of depression or dissociation) often experience a more sympathetic (SNS) fight-or-flight state. This "unfreezing" process often manifests as sudden body pains (jaw, back, legs, feet), pressure in the head, sinuses, or ears, and shifts in body temperature. Emotionally, you may feel agitated, restless, or experience delayed processing—waking up overwhelmed, angry, sad, or emotionally raw hours after a session. Your digestion may also shift (loose stool, gurgling), and your sleep patterns can change, including trouble falling asleep, broken rest, or unusually vivid dreams. These reactions are considered a normal, albeit uncomfortable, part of the recalibration process.

 As a pilot study showed, for those who complete the 5 hour program, they can expect clinical reductions in their symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Insomnia.

Science of Rest and Restore Protocol

RRP is not traditional music, binaural beats, or any other “healing frequencies.” RRP is designed to scientifically alter the nervous system in ways that have been previously unexplored.

RRP works leverages neural and physiological entrainment - the natural process where two systems sync up, like people walking together or matching each other's posture during conversation. RRP embeds healthy biological rhythms like heart and breath rate directly into its musical sounds. Your body instinctively syncs to these embedded cues, making the protocol essentially "co-regulation through technology." Over time, this gentle entrainment slowly guides your nervous system out of a defensive state and into a more balanced, restorative one.

Why Try Rest & Restore Protocol?

  • It’s passive - Nothing has to be done other than to listen to the music.

  • It’s low effort - No massive amounts of homework needed! As you listen, the music will help surface problems and then digest them for you.

  • Effectiveness – So many clients have experienced a real benefit that we are reaching out to other therapists and mental health organizations!

  • Safe - when approached slowly, RRP provides gentle healing. It’s so subtle that people often don’t realize it’s improved.

Dr. Stephen Porges

“The Polyvagal Theory proposes a neurophysiological model of safety and trust. The model emphasizes that safety is defined by feeling safe and not by the removal of threat"”