Brainspotting

What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a newer therapy technique used to help people with trauma, emotional distress, and other psychological issues. It was developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003 and is based on the idea that where a person looks can affect how they feel. Brainspotting holds the beliefs that trauma can be stuck inside of a person's body and this causes both physical and mental ailments.Traditional talk therapy is known as a “top-down” therapy. That is, traditional therapy tries to solve problems with the conscious mind by working through thoughts, feelings and behaviors and how these thoughts impact our current state of mind and beliefs. Brain spotting is known as “bottom up” therapy, which aims to release the physical stress in the body, thereby leading to release the emotional stress in the body as well.

How Does it work?

The clinician works with the client to find the “brainspot.” The method involves guiding a client to find a specific eye position, known as a "brainspot," that is linked to an unresolved emotional issue or trauma.Brainspotting therapy works on the midbrain, which controls parts of the central nervous system that are responsible for processes such as vision, hearing, sleep, and motor control. When trauma occurs, this part of the brain typically goes into freeze mode to conserve resources for the body to be in defense mode.

During a session, the therapist helps the client focus on this brainspot while they are in a relaxed state. The idea is that this focus on the brainspot allows the brain to process and release the stored emotional or physical pain associated with it. Brainspotting is often used in the treatment of trauma, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. The technique is thought to work by tapping into the body’s natural ability to heal itself, utilizing the brain-body connection to access deeper emotional states that may not be reachable through traditional talk therapy.

Is this like EMDR?

Brainspotting grew out of EMDR, during an EMDR session, the eyes remain open and the therapist asks the client to follow their fingers with their eyes while simultaneously recalling a traumatic event.  Unlike brainspotting, which has a patient focus on one spot, EMDR emphasizes rapid eye movements to help reduce the effect that the emotions and memories have on the brain. In addition, EMDR uses a strictly structured process to help patients overcome PTSD. Brainspotting involves visually focusing on these specific spots, serving as a targeted mindfulness that helps someone identify internal sensations or emotions, which usually manifest as tension in the body, and connecting it to a specific spot in the visual field that brings up that feeling or emotion. 

Who Can it Help?

Though Brainspotting therapy is primarily focused on discovering and alleviating trauma, it can help many different types of issues, especially since trauma’s effects are so far-reaching.

• Anxiety

• Attachment issues 

• Substance use

• Posttraumatic stress disorder 

• Chronic pain

• Major depressive disorder 

• Impulse Control

• Sports Performance. 

Resources:

Brainspotting Therapy: How It Works, Techniques, and Efficacy (verywellmind.com)

Brainspotting: How It Works And What To Expect – Forbes Health