Brainspotting
“Where you look affects the way you feel.” – David Grand, PhD.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting locates points in the client’s visual field that help access unprocessed trauma in the subortical brain. Brainspotting (BSP) was discovered in 2003 by David Grand, Ph.D. It is the brain activity, especially in the subcortical brain that organizes itself around the eye position. BSP makes use of this natural phenomenon through its use of relevant eye positions. This helps the BSP therapist locate, focus, process, and release a wide range of emotionally and bodily-based conditions. BSP is also a brain-based tool to support the therapy relationship.
How Does it Work?
We believe that BSP taps into and harnesses the body’s natural self-scanning, self-healing ability. When a Brainspot is stimulated, the deep brain appears to reflexively signal the therapist that the source of the problem has been found. BSP can also be used to find and strengthen our natural resources and resilience. BSP is designed as a therapeutic tool that can be integrated into many healing modalities. BSP is even more powerful when used with the enhancement of bilateral sound.
What does BSP treat?
Brainspotting is effective for a wide variety of emotional and somatic conditions. Brainspotting is particularly effective with trauma-based situations, helping to identify and heal underlying trauma that contributes to anxiety, depression, and other behavioral conditions. It can also be used with performance and creativity enhancement. Brainspotting gives the therapist access to both brain and body processes. Its goal is to bypass the conscious, neocortical thinking to access the deeper, subcortical emotional and body-based parts of the brain.
Here is a list of conditions that BSP treats:
- PTSD
- Trauma
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Grief & Loss
- ADHD
- Panic Disorders
- Sport Performance
- Creativity Enhancement
- Addictions
- Relationship Issues
- Shame & Self-Esteem
What to expect?
BSP does not require the client to retell details of their traumas. Rather, it allows for various unhealed traumas to emerge from the limbic part of the brain to be processed and healed. A typical BSP session is 90 minutes. You will spend time with your therapist preparing to engage before the process. You will be supported in a safe, secure relationship and environment virtually.
We will identify the issue you want to focus on and heal. You will observe your body sensations and identify a brainspot–eye position that corresponds to a particular trauma stored in the subcortical part of your brain. You will engage the brainspot using Mindfulness focusing to allow for the trauma to be processed and released, often resulting in positive emotions and a strengthening of affirming beliefs. We recommend using bilateral music during BSP sessions to enhance the experience.
If you have tried talk therapies and have not experienced lasting relief, I invite you to reach out for a Complimentary 15 Minute Consultation to see if Brainspotting is right for you. I welcome you!