Brainspotting Therapy

How does Brainspotting therapy work?

The process begins with a brainspotting therapist guiding the client to identify specific "brainspots"—eye positions that correspond to areas in the brain where trauma or emotional distress is stored.

During a session, the therapist uses a pointer or the client’s natural eye movements to locate these brainspots. Once identified, the client focuses on the brainspot while staying attuned to any physical sensations or emotions that arise. This targeted focus allows the brain to process the traumatic memories, facilitating healing at a deep, neurological level.

Brainspotting therapy is unique because it directly taps into the brain's subcortical processes, where trauma is often held, bypassing the more analytical, thinking parts of the brain. This makes it especially effective for those who have experienced trauma, anxiety, or other emotional challenges that traditional talk therapy may not fully address.

With the guidance of a trained brainspotting therapist, clients can experience profound shifts in their emotional and psychological well-being, leading to lasting healing and personal growth.

Who is Brainspotting therapy for?

Brainspotting therapy is for anyone seeking to heal from trauma, emotional distress, or psychological challenges that may not have fully responded to traditional therapies. This approach is particularly effective for individuals who have experienced traumatic events, such as abuse, accidents, or loss, and are struggling with symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression.

Brainspotting is also beneficial for those dealing with chronic pain, phobias, performance anxiety, and other conditions where emotional and physical experiences are intertwined. Athletes, artists, and professionals often use brainspotting therapy to enhance performance by addressing underlying emotional blocks.

Moreover, brainspotting therapy is suitable for people who feel stuck in their personal growth or emotional healing journey. Whether you’re dealing with deep-seated trauma or simply want to explore and understand your emotional world more fully, working with a brainspotting therapist can offer a path to greater clarity, relief, and self-discovery.

What does Brainspotting therapy address?

Brainspotting therapy addresses a wide range of emotional, psychological, and physical issues by targeting and processing trauma stored in the brain. Originally developed to treat trauma, brainspotting has proven effective for various conditions, including:

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Brainspotting trauma therapy is particularly effective in helping individuals process and heal from traumatic experiences, reducing symptoms such as flashbacks, anxiety, and hypervigilance.

• Anxiety and Depression: By accessing deep-seated emotions and memories, brainspotting helps alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, offering relief and promoting emotional balance.

• Chronic Pain: Emotional trauma is often linked to physical pain, and brainspotting therapy can help uncover and address the emotional roots of chronic pain, leading to physical and emotional healing.

• Phobias and Fears: Brainspotting therapy can reduce or eliminate irrational fears and phobias by processing the underlying emotional triggers.

• Addictions: Brainspotting helps individuals identify and process the trauma or emotional pain that often underlies addictive behaviors, supporting recovery and long-term sobriety.

• Performance Anxiety: Athletes, performers, and professionals use brainspotting to overcome performance anxiety, enhance focus, and achieve peak performance by addressing emotional blocks.

In addition to these concerns, brainspotting therapy can be used to address general emotional distress, improve self-awareness, and promote personal growth. With the guidance of a skilled brainspotting therapist, individuals can experience profound healing and transformation.

What does Brainspotting therapy look like in session?

A brainspotting therapy session is a unique and deeply focused experience, tailored to help you access and process unresolved emotions and trauma. Here’s what you can expect during a typical session:

1. Initial Discussion: The session begins with a conversation between you and your brainspotting therapist, where you’ll discuss the issues you’d like to address. This could include anything from trauma and anxiety to physical pain or performance blocks.

2. Finding the Brainspot: The therapist will guide you through a process of finding your "brainspot," which is an eye position that connects to a specific area in your brain where trauma or emotional distress is stored. This may involve following a pointer or simply paying attention to where your eyes naturally want to focus.

3. Focused Attention: Once the brainspot is identified, you’ll focus on that spot while becoming aware of any thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations that arise. The therapist may encourage you to stay with these sensations, allowing your brain and body to process the underlying issues.

4. Mindful Processing: Throughout the session, you’ll be in a state of relaxed, mindful awareness, supported by the therapist. The goal is to let your brain's natural healing mechanisms work, processing and releasing stored trauma or emotional pain.

5. Therapist Support: Your brainspotting therapist will provide a safe and supportive environment, offering guidance as needed but allowing you the space to experience the process at your own pace. The therapist may ask questions or make observations to help deepen your awareness, but much of the work is done internally.

6. Session Wrap-Up: As the session concludes, you’ll have time to reflect on what came up during the process. The therapist will help you integrate the experience, discussing any insights or changes you noticed.

Each brainspotting session is highly individualized, with the pace and depth of the work determined by your comfort level and therapeutic goals. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve had multiple sessions, brainspotting therapy provides a powerful and compassionate space for healing and self-discovery.