Brainspotting is a relatively new (since 2003) therapeutic approach that has been gaining traction in the mental health community. As someone who has been botha recipient and practitioner of various therapeutic modalities, I find Brainspotting to be particularly intriguing. Here's why:
Firstly, Brainspotting is based on the premise that were you look affects how you feel. This is simple yet profound concept that allows therapists to access deeper parts of the brain that are often unreachable through traditional talk therapy. By guiding clients to focus on a specific point in their visual field, therapists can help them process and release trauma that has been stored in the body.
Secondly, Brainspotting is incredibly versatile. It can be used to treat a wide variety of issues, from PTSD and anciety to chronic pain and performance anxiety. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for therapists who work with diverse populations and a variety of presenting problems.
Another reason I am excited about Brainspotting is its emphasis on the thearputic relationship. Brainspotting requires a deep attunement between therapis and client. This attunement fosters a sense of safety and trust, which are crucial for effective therapy.
Lastely, I am excited about Brainspotting besuse of the personal experiences I have had with it. Both as a client and as a therapist, I have witnessed the profound impact it can have. I have seen clients make breathroughts that they were unable to achive with other forms of therapy. I have also experienced my own healing and growth through Brainspotting, which has deepened my appreciation for this powerful modality.
What is Brainspotting?
Dr. David Grand developed this brain-based approach in 2003. Brainspotting utilizes the visual field to uncover trauma related brain activity, allowing for profound emotional healing and self-awareness. By focusing on these points within the visual field, clients can tap into the brain's natural ability to process and heal trauma or other emotional wounds.
What would it look like to participate in Brainspotting?
The process of brainspotting typically involves the following steps:
Identifying the Brainspot: The therapist utilizes a pointer to guide the client's gaze across their visual field, observing subtle cues such as changes in eye movement, facial expressions, or body tension. The therapist will ask about body sensations and intensity.
Focusing attention: Once a brainspot is identified, the client maintains their gaze while focusing on the associated emotions, thoughts, or sensations.
Processing and releasing: This focused attention allows the brain to process and release the stored trauma. Your body innately knows what it needs to do. (I know that I am processing something very deep processing when I start burping, yep. burping.)
There are many ways to engage in identifying brainspots and your brainspotting therapist will be there to guide you as needed. The key mechanism underlying brainspotting is its ability to access the subcortical brain. In addition, the therapeutic relationship and safe space encourages continued growth and processing.
Benefits of Brainspotting
Healing: Brainspotting allows subcortical processing which for some results in less sessions than traditional talk therapy.
Non-verbal Processing: By skipping over the thinking brain, it allows trauma to be processed without having to say the trauma out loud.
Holistic Approach: It integrates physical sensations, emotional experienes, and subconsious memories.
Versatility: Brainspotting can help you process past trauma and it can also support with performance optimization. Brainspotting has been used on athletes, artists, and actors/actresses!
Fast and Effective: Many clients report significant improvements in fewer sessions compared to other therapist. I have found this to be true within my own practice.
Scientific Evidence Supporting Brainspotting
Trauma and PTSD: A study by Hildebrand and Grand (2017) found that brainspotting significantly reduced trauma symptoms in military veterans.
Neurobiological Basis: Studies using fMRI have demonstrated that brainspotting activates and processes truama in the subcortical brain (Corrigan & Grand, 2013).
Performance Anxiety: Brainspotting has also been used as a tool to enhance performance by addressing underlying emotional blocks (Grant, 2015).
Although more research is needed to fully understand the working mechanisms and benefits, the current research and self-reports from clients supports brainspotting as a transformative therapeutic tool.
Conclusion
Brainspotting can be a huge asset to your healing and transformation journey. It can offer a unique pathway to processing and allowing for your brain to naturally complete healing. This approach offers the benefits of being non-verbal, efficient, and supportive of self-regulation. I strongly believe that brainspotting is an incredibly helpful tool to not only the therepeutic process but also for thriving.
For those interested in exploring brainspotting, feel free to outreach to Cognitive Wellness Therapy LLC to learn more. I can either provide brainspotting sessions for you or help connect you to one of my amazing colleagues.
References
Grand, D. (2003). Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change. Sounds True Publishing.
Corrigan, F. M., & Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for accessing and healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation. Medical Hypotheses, 80(6), 759-766.
Hildbrand, A., & Grand, D. (2017). A pilot study on the use of brainspotting therapy for veterans with PTSD. Journal of Traumatic Stress Disorders & Treatment, 6(3).
Grand, K. (2015). Brainspottng: A method to enhance performance and creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 27(4), 334-340.
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