Understanding Brainspotting: An Essential Guide

What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing, and releasing stored trauma and negative emotions through specific eye positions (“brainspots”). Developed from EMDR, it accesses the brain’s natural ability to heal itself by connecting eye positions with unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain.

Our Approach to Brainspotting

In our practice, we don’t use brainspotting as just another technique – we approach it as a profound mind-body healing experience. While traditional brainspotting follows specific protocols, we adapt it to honor each client’s unique processing style and needs.

For clients struggling with trauma that feels “stuck” in their body, we:

• Locate brainspots through eye positions that activate the nervous system’s response
• Create a safe container for processing without retraumatization
• Trust the body’s wisdom to guide the pace and depth of release

We often integrate brainspotting with:

— Creative expression (for clients who benefit from art expressions)

— Somatic awareness (tracking body sensations during processing)

— Parts work (when trauma involves internal conflicts)

FAQs about Brainspotting

Is Brainspotting Just Eye Movement Therapy?

No. While it shares similarities with EMDR, brainspotting:

• Engages the body’s felt sense more than cognitive processing
• Goes beyond bilateral stimulation to access deeper brain areas
• Works without detailed trauma disclosure (ideal for pre-verbal trauma)

Who Can Benefit from Brainspotting?

• Trauma survivors: PTSD, childhood abuse, accidents
• Performers/athletes: Overcoming blocks, enhancing focus
• Chronic pain patients: Releasing emotional components of pain
• Highly sensitive people: Processing overwhelming emotions

How Does Brainspotting Work?

1. Finding the brainspot: Where your gaze naturally rests when recalling distress
2. Dual attunement: Therapist supports while your nervous system processes
3. Integration: New neural pathways form as trauma releases

What Does the Brainspotting Therapist Do?

• Acts as a grounded witness: Creates safety for deep processing
• Follows your lead: Never pushes beyond your window of tolerance
• Helps resource: Strengthens coping before/after intense work

How Many Sessions Are Needed for Brainspotting?

• Single-event trauma: 3-6 sessions often show significant shifts
• Complex trauma: 12+ sessions for layered healing

How Many Sessions Are Needed?

• Short-Term: 6–12 sessions (behavioral issues).
• Long-Term: Months/years (complex trauma, deep self-exploration).
• Duration: Typically 50–60 mins/session excluding processing time.

Limitations of Brainspotting Therapy

• Not suitable for: Active psychosis, severe dissociation without stabilization
• Requires readiness: Some clients need preparation before deep trauma work

How to Measure Progress in Brainspotting?

• Decreased physiological activation when recalling past events
• Increased sense of safety and self-regulation
• Spontaneous positive shifts in thoughts/behaviors

Can Brainspotting be combined with other therapies?

Absolutely yes!

• Parts work: When trauma involves internal fragmentation
• Somatic experiencing: For body-based completion of trauma responses
• Expressive arts: To process what words can’t capture
  

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