Psychologist in Petaluma, Sonoma County

A well-regulated autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in maintaining mental health by fostering emotional balance and resilience. The ANS, which includes the sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) branches, influences stress responses and emotional regulation. When it functions optimally, individuals experience reduced anxiety, improved mood stability, and better cognitive clarity. This regulation supports the brain's ability to shift smoothly between alertness and calm, helping people respond to challenges without becoming overwhelmed. Practices such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and regular sleep can enhance ANS regulation, promoting a sense of safety and psychological well-being.

Physically, a balanced ANS contributes to healthy cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive functions. Proper regulation allows for efficient heart rate variability (HRV), which is a marker of resilience and adaptability in the body. It supports optimal blood pressure, stable blood sugar levels, and better immune function, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses. Furthermore, parasympathetic activation facilitates recovery and repair processes in the body, enhancing sleep quality and energy levels. In contrast, chronic dysregulation of the ANS—such as prolonged sympathetic dominance—can lead to inflammation, fatigue, and disease. Thus, supporting autonomic balance is essential for sustaining both short-term health and long-term physical vitality.

Rest & Restore Protocol

The Rest and Restore Protocol (RRP) by Unyte is an innovative, clinical-grade passive listening intervention designed to help regulate the autonomic nervous system by delivering specially filtered music. Based on decades of research on the physiological rhythms of the body, including heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and the gut, alongside knowledge of advanced sound technology to support deep relaxation and optimal recovery.

RRP calms the body’s stress response by directly stimulating the middle ear muscles and vagus nerve pathways through carefully modified sound frequencies. This protocol is grounded in Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, which highlights how the vagus nerve plays a key role in feeling safe, socially connected, and able to rest.

How the Rest & Restore Protocol Works

The music of the RRP is enhanced by Sonocea, an innovative, patent-pending technology that uses sound acoustics through music to sync with the natural biological rhythms of the body. Stimulating these natural rhythms sends cues of safety to the nervous system, promoting healing functions that aid in mental and physical restoration. For more information, visit the Unyte Health website.

Listening to the Rest & Restore Protocol

The Rest and Restore Protocol comprises ten 30-minute music tracks listened to in sequence, anywhere from daily to once per week. You should be comfortable and free from distractions when listening. RRP must be done with head phones, ideally those that cover the entire ear (but earbuds can also be used). Most clients enjoy listening while lying down and doing so promotes relaxation of the skeletal muscles which can accentuate the experience. 

Please note that to participate in RRP, you must have either an iPhone or Android phone, and you will need to download the Unyte Health App. Once you have the app and we agree to commence with the process, you will have access to the tracks I grant access to for up to one year. 

Effortless Regulation                                                

Unlike mindfulness or other relaxation practices, the Rest and Restore Protocol requires no active effort — the client does not need to focus, visualize, or consciously control their breath. Instead, the process works indirectly: by passively receiving these filtered sounds, the nervous system is given cues of safety and connection, which promote a natural shift into the parasympathetic state responsible for rest, digestion, and recovery.