Bringing Hope & Connection: How Sensitive Approach and SSP are Transforming the Lives of those with Parkinson’s disease
PD Client Since 2021
Parkinson’s disease & SSP
Parkinson’s disease
Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP)
Dr Liz Charles
New Training in Development
How Can SSP Help Parkinson’s & Chronic Illness?
SSP can improve the quality of life for PD clients and their loved ones, offering connection and hope. When carefully delivered using Sensitive Approach: Client at the Core it can enhance emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
SSP & PD
Positive outcomes often lead to increased confidence, and reduced anxiety and hopelessness. SSP also offers potential for:
- An ‘Inside out’ release of tension.
- Enhanced facial expression and social connection.
- Improved mobility and balance.
- Increased hope and confidence.
Jerry’s Journey with SSP
Jerry lives in the USA and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2020.
Jerry lives with his wife of over 50 years, Judy, on the west coast of USA. Judy learned about SSP through her interest in Polyvagal Theory. Concerned about the deterioration in Jerry’s PD symptoms, she reached out to Dr. Liz in June 2021, beginning a transformative process. Dr. Liz carefully titrated micro-doses of SSP to suit Jerry’s sensitive system, closely supported by Judy, during weekly online sessions.
The first video, ‘Before and After SSP’, offers a glimpse into this journey – beginning with clips from Jerry’s first three sessions in June 2021, followed by clips from 15 months later, in September 2022, when Jerry had completed three hours of listening. The transformation is both remarkable and deeply moving.
Jerry has continued his regular self-listening with support from Judy as needed, making steady progress. With ongoing guidance from Dr Liz, he completed the fifth hour of SSP Core after 22 months, then transitioned to SSP Balance before returning to SSP Core.
The second video includes clips from a review call in February 2025, where Jerry and Judy share their joy and amazement with Dr. Liz about the progress Jerry has made – and the impact it has had on their daily lives. Friends, family, and even professionals have noticed and commented on the improvements in Jerry.
In April 2025, Jerry underwent a two-year follow-up evaluation at his local Neurology Movement Disorders Clinic. The neuropsychologist’s summary stated: “Overall, his current performance reflects a significant improvement in cognitive, functional, and psychological functioning.”
Following the evaluation, Judy wrote to Dr. Liz:
“Despite his nerves, Jerry was in exceptional form for the full three hours. You would be so proud of him! Thank you, a million-fold, for making this all possible.”
Looking for more client transformations?
How can Sensitive Approach: Client at the Core help those with Parkinson’s Disease?
Improving the quality of life for clients is at the heart of Sensitive Approach. This relational model provides compassionate support that encourages curiosity, shifts perspectives, and nurtures hope and enhanced well-being.
Improved mobility
Greater flexibility, smoother movement, and improved balance.
Improved facial expression
A softer gaze, wider smile, more spontaneous movements to express emotions.
Improved speech
Stronger, clearer voice for easier communication and understanding.
Improved mood
Increased confidence and a greater sense of hope.
Improved quality of life
Easier movement, better relationships, more activities, and enhanced overall well-being.
Improved connection
Increased curiosity, self-awareness, and meaningful engagement with family and friends.
By using this gentle, attuned approach – where close observation and ongoing support are central – you can significantly enhance client outcomes by:
- Providing practical tools clients can use regularly to help reclaim a sense of agency and well-being in their lives.
- Building trust and rapport, offering a foundation of safety and hope.
- Creating space to be seen and heard, allowing clients to move at their own pace.
- Inspiring curiosity and confidence, opening the door to meaningful and lasting change.
How can SSP help those with PD?
- Increased social connection and hope.
- Greater emotional capacity.
- Improved mobility.
Meet Dr Liz
With her warm and welcoming style, Liz is a medical doctor and experienced SSP provider known for her compassionate yet practical approach with clients and in supporting fellow clinicians. An early adopter of SSP, she offers online SSP to adults with complex trauma and chronic illness using micro-titration and has a special interest in Parkinson’s disease.
Drawing on her medical background, neuroscience knowledge, and deep understanding of Polyvagal theory, Dr. Liz thoughtfully tailors each client’s SSP journey to the unique challenges of living with Parkinson’s. Her Sensitive Approach: Client at the Core offers attuned connection and gentle, effective tools that foster trust, safety, and nervous system regulation.
Dr. Liz’s Credentials & Achievements:
Since meeting Dr. Porges in 2019, Liz has contributed to SSP clinical guidelines for Unyte-iLs and is a founding member of the Clinical Advisory Board. Her SSP work with Parkinson’s clients was featured at the 2021 Polyvagal Institute Summit.
As Medical and Scientific Advisor for a professional education program promoting social and emotional development in children and adolescents, Dr. Liz integrated Polyvagal Theory into the training curriculum. She authored Neuroscience Guides for both Childhood and Adolescence, and delivered seminars to help trainers bring a neuro-informed perspective into educational settings.
- Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP)
- iLs: Author of guidelines for delivering SSP to individuals with a trauma history
- iLs-Unyte: Consistent contributor to training & Inaugural Member of the Clinical Advisory Board
After meeting Liz in 2019, Dr Porges reported that she had “cracked the code on implementing the SSP with individuals with severe trauma histories”.
In July 2024 he continued to support her work: “I continue to be a big supporter of your work, Liz, and I am sure your Sensitive Approach will continue to expand its influence and impact.”
“Liz Charles is a physician in the UK who is using the Safe and Sound Protocol with adults with a variety of clinical histories. She is a generous and compassionate person and is especially committed to using SSP with adults who have a trauma history. She has a deep understanding of trauma that provides her with the insights to support the courage of her clients and has been very successful in adapting the SSP to give good outcomes with trauma survivors.”
Dr Stephen Porges, Ph.D.
The Sensitive Approach to Parkinson’s Disease: Client at the Core
Looking to Enhance Your SSP Practice? Boost Your Confidence? Improve Client Outcomes?
This new Sensitive Approach Training and Mentoring Program focuses on supporting clients with Parkinson’s disease, closely guided by Dr. Liz. Designed to equip SSP providers with the tools and confidence to deliver effective SSP to clients with PD. The techniques learned in this program can also be applied to other chronic illnesses and complex trauma, expanding your therapeutic toolkit.
Through hybrid training and personalised mentoring from Dr Liz, you’ll gain practical strategies to carefully titrate SSP and support clients to improve their outcomes. Liz’s approach emphasises trust, connection, and regulation, making it adaptable across diverse client populations and settings.
Specialised Training Coming Soon!
This training will offer:
Enhanced Tools & Techniques
Deepen your understanding of SSP’s impact on Parkinson’s and apply new strategies across all areas of your practice.
Versatility Across Conditions
While designed with Parkinson’s in mind, these insights can be applied to a wide range of chronic illnesses and client needs.
Increased Confidence
Gain a clearer framework for working with complex cases, helping you navigate sessions with greater ease and effectiveness.
Stronger Client Relationships
Build safety and trust, creating a therapeutic environment where clients feel secure, understood, and supported.
A Supportive Community
Join Dr. Liz a network of like-minded SSP providers who are passionate about making a difference, sharing insights, and growing together.
How does the training and mentoring work?
Hybrid Model
Module A: Learn the Why – Understanding Parkinson’s disease
- Understand PD’s impact on individuals, social engagement, and fascia.
- Understand how SSP can help.
Module B: Learn the How – Delivering SSP for PD clients
- Learn how to adapt SSP for PD clients, including intake and titration, with real client case examples for context and clarity.
Each part of the program is enhanced by real-world PD client case studies, providing examples of personalised strategies, challenges, and outcomes
After successfully completing the training, SSP providers may receive PD client referrals from Dr. Liz, who will offer tailored 1:1 mentoring to support each case.
Mentoring is more frequent at the start of the process with each client and tapers as progress is made. Group sessions on relevant topics will also support continued learning.
Due to high demand, Dr. Liz will refer PD clients to SSP providers who have completed the Sensitive Approach PD training and are part of her mentoring program.
1. Ongoing Development
This evolving approach allows providers to help shape and refine SSP for PD, guided by outcomes and evidence.
2. Mentoring for Quality Referrals
Referrals are made only to SSP providers mentored by Dr Liz, ensuring consistent and high-quality care for PD clients.
3. Data & Quality Commitment
Client progress will be tracked through assessments and feedback, supporting ongoing improvement and strong outcomes.
- Practicing SSP Provider.
- Completion of a Sensitive Approach SSP skills workshop with Dr. Liz.
- Participation in 1:1 mentoring sessions with Dr. Liz.
Parkinson’s: A Personal Journey with Common Challenges
Each experience is unique care must be personalised, gentle, and deeply attuned.
Emotional distress and a sense of loss with the realisation that life will never be the same again.
Communication difficulties and reduced mobility can lead to social withdrawal.
- Fear of being seen differently or misunderstood due to the visible symptoms.
- Difficulty expressing emotions outwardly – even when they’re strongly felt inside.
- Challenges in maintaining connection and participating in previously normal social activities.
- Loss of verbal and nonverbal communication, leading to isolation and sadness.
- Role changes, with family members taking on caregiving duties, causing physical strain and financial concerns.
- Communication challenges, resulting in emotional isolation.
- Negative impact on personal mental health and quality of life as family members manage their own stress.
- Emotional distress, including guilt and sense of loss, as they navigate complexities of the disease and changing family dynamics.
Roy’s Journey with Parkinson’s & SSP
Roy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019 at the age of 77, though he believes his symptoms began several years prior. In 2017, he was also diagnosed with osteoporosis, with compression fractures in his lumbar spine that made standing for extended periods challenging.
Motivated to explore supportive approaches, Roy began studying the Alexander Technique and took lessons with Betsy Polatin. Aware of Liz’s work with Parkinson’s, Betsy introduced Roy to her in 2023.
Roy and Liz began carefully titrated SSP work in June 2023, and he noticed positive effects from the very first session. Roy continues regular SSP listening on his own, supported by occasional check-ins with Liz, and still experiences ongoing benefits.
Roy’s comments about Parkinson’s disease:
Parkinson’s disease is a life changer. Every case is different, but in one way or another it seeks to shut the person down. A walk becomes a shuffle. When you stop when walking or approach a narrow area, you might “freeze,” meaning you feel like you cannot lift either foot off the ground. A face loses its expressiveness. A voice becomes so soft it is difficult to hear. Drooling occurs because you don’t swallow as frequently as you did.
It takes so much effort to accomplish an everyday task. It seems like everything you do takes much longer than it did before Parkinson’s arrived. Which leads to frustration, which creates stress. And stress makes Parkinson’s symptoms worse. If you try to hurry, you are likely to take longer than if you took your time. And Parkinson’s is relentless. It is always there and tends to get worse over time.
Roy describes his experience with SSP:
My experience with SSP has been very positive. From the first listening session, I experienced beneficial changes as the session progressed: clearer and broader vision, stronger voice, more mobility in facial features, wider shoulders. These effects diminished between listening sessions, but quickly reappeared during the next session In addition, when I moved around between sessions, I felt that my movements were more fluid. With the passage of time, the inter-session drop-off lessened until it disappeared. Listening to SSP has enabled me to be more in touch with myself. I am more aware of my feelings, as well as where in my body I am experiencing tightness.
