What is Brainspotting Therapy?
Brainspotting therapy is based on the concept of “where you look affects how you feel.” Brainspotting locates points in the visual field to access, focus, and process a variety of emotionally and body-based conditions and issues.
David Grand, PhD, developed Brainspotting in 2003 when he discovered traditional Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy could be enhanced through maintaining a visual focus point to rapidly resolve his clients’ most challenging issues.
How does it work?
It’s a brain-body process! Brainspotting therapy harnesses the body’s natural healing by locating a point of vision that correlates with inner neural and emotional experiences and implicit (felt) memory. These eye positions, called Brainspots, access the subcortical brain, which is the inner part of our brain that holds emotional, non-verbal, and trauma memory. Accessing these brainspots lead to healing and resolution of issues that are held deeply in the non-verbal, non-cognitive areas of our brain and body.
What is it like?
In session, the therapist will help you work through your personal challenges to find a Brainspot that is “activating” (makes those thoughts and feelings stronger) or “resourcing” (a spot that is neutral, calm, or “grounded”). Sometimes you will use both “resource” and “activation” spots to work through trauma or addiction issues. Bilateral Music (music that moves from one ear to the other) may also be used to enhance these states. The therapist is a supportive guide to your body and brain’s natural healing process. The most common responses are to feel a change and improvement in physical energy, more emotional regulation or sense of calm, and improved physical wellbeing.
What kinds of things is Brainspotting helpful for?
Brainspotting is especially applicable for treating trauma, but has been proven useful for any issue, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief
- Addictions
- Body image and eating disorders
- Low self esteem
- Relationship conflicts
- Career counseling
- Creative blocks
- Athletes and achievement
Intrigued but want to learn more before moving forward? Listen to my interview with Dr. Beth Trammell on Brainspotting for more information. We even did a live demo during the interview! https://www.buzzsprout.com/1927586/14756851
You can find out more at brainspotting.com.
Let’s do this, together.
Send me an email (or text me at 360-818-8322) and I will be in touch.