Brainspotting
Have you ever felt like there’s something from your past you keep holding onto? You want to let go of it but every time you try to, you find out later that these old, stuck feelings are still around. You feel confused, ashamed, and guilty that you can’t let this go. You tell yourself “I should be past this by now” but the fear, guilt, and shame still has a grip on you. Maybe you’ve even tried other kinds of therapy–talk therapy, EMDR, etc. and have some relief but these feelings are ultimately still here, gnawing at you. It’s so painful to relive the same feelings and memories years later.
You don’t have to live in the confusion, guilt, and shame forever. Talking about it can be helpful, but sometimes we need to go deeper.
Imagine a world in which you can feel free of these feelings. You feel at peace—that these memories and emotions have no hold on you anymore. You feel grounded and connected to your friends and family. You feel focused at work. A world where you can feel confident that if these feelings showed up in the future, you would know how to give yourself what you needed so you could keep moving on with your day. Your past is a part of what’s shaped you, but it’s not the whole story. You get to write the next chapter.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting (BSP) is a type of therapy that is based on the idea that “where you look determines how you feel”. The way I like to think of this is that we all have different information or “files” stored in our line of sight. For example, if someone asks you to think of a time when you were sad you might look down and to the right. That’s your brain retrieving the information! In the same way, BSP uses your eyes to locate, process, and resolve trauma that’s been stored in your body.
How does Brainspotting work?
Brainspotting therapy embraces the brain's natural ability to self-heal. By focusing on specific points in the visual field, it allows people to access and process deeply stored trauma and emotional pain.
What does the process look like?
In the initial session, I will get to know you and your goals for therapy. I’ll also explain the brainspotting process and what you can expect during these sessions.
During a BSP session we will discuss a certain emotion or event that is distressing. I will get out a pointer and together we will find a spot where you feel the most distress as we talk about this topic
We keep your eyes on that spot so your brain processes the information
We can stop whenever the client wants! Usually my clients and I try to find a point in the process when they are feeling less distressed to stop
At the end of the session or the next session we’ll unpack whatever came up for you during and after the session
Because BSP typically focuses on difficult moments there might be a time where someone wants to pause with one topic to process another. What I love about this approach is that I can be flexible with where my client wants to go and process. I trust their sense of what needs attention in the moment and BSP allows us flexibility to do that!
Who Can Brainspotting Help?
Brainspotting therapy can benefit many different people. It is particularly effective for those who have experienced:
Trauma and PTSD: Brainspotting helps people who have experienced trauma. This can look like abuse, spiritual trauma, accidents, natural disasters, and combat-related trauma. BSP helps to process and release trauma held in the body and mind.
Anxiety and Depression: It can help people who struggle with anxiety and depressive symptoms! It does this by addressing underlying issues, which can lead to symptom relief.
Chronic Pain: People suffering from things like chronic pain and migraines can find relief through brainspotting. It helps in understanding and addressing the emotional roots of physical symptoms.
Performance Anxiety: Athletes, performers, and professionals experiencing performance anxiety can also benefit from brainspotting! Brainspotting helps by identifying and resolving blocks that hinder their performance.
Addiction and Substance Abuse: Brainspotting can help people in recovery from addiction by addressing the underlying trauma and emotional pain that can drive substance abuse.
Issues in Relationships: Brainspotting helps people who have difficulties in their relationships too! By using this technique it helps people gain insights and heal relational wounds.
The Benefits of Brainspotting Therapy
Brainspotting therapy has many benefits for people looking for healing. Some benefits include:
Deep Healing: Because BSP is able to access a deep part of the brain, it can more easily address the root causes of emotional distress, which can provide lasting healing
Rapid Results: Many clients experience significant relief and progress within a few sessions, making brainspotting a time-efficient therapeutic approach.
Holistic Approach: Brainspotting considers the interconnectedness of mind and body, promoting overall well-being and balance.
Empowerment: Clients are actively involved in their healing process, empowering them to take control of their emotional health.
Versatility: Brainspotting can be integrated with other therapeutic modalities, enhancing its effectiveness and adaptability to individual needs.
Overall, Brainspotting is an effective and powerful type of therapy! It can get to the root cause of issues by accessing deeper areas of the brain. It gives hope and help to a people with a variety of issues both physical and mental/emotional. By using the brain’s natural ability to heal, brainspotting helps clients gain meaningful and lasting transformation, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being.