Have you heard of Brainspotting? It is a POWERFUL tool created by David Grand in 2002, to assist people in processing trauma and emotions or memories that feel “stuck” in the mind and/or body. This could be a traumatic experience (recent or long ago), a strained relationship, a difficult career decision that needs to be made, etc.

Brainspotting is a unique treatment modality that differs from talk therapy, which typically includes back and forth conversation between client and therapist. In talk therapy, clients usually stay in the prefrontal cortex (forehead area), whereas during brainspotting, clients are able to access deeper memories and experiences that are stored deep in the subcortical part of the brain (located in the brainstem- the back of the head).

During Brainspotting, a client holds their gaze at a specific location in their field of vision and allows their mind and body to focus on the issue that they want to work on. Clients can choose to speak as much as little as they feel compelled to. It is not imperative that the therapist knows exactly what the client is thinking or feeling during the processing time. This makes it especially useful for clients who do not feel comfortable or have difficulty sharing out loud in a session with a therapist. The role of the therapist is to remain intentionally attuned to the client throughout the duration of the brainspotting session, through noticing slight shifts in the client (reflexes, twitches, etc) which indicate that the client has been able to “go deep” into their processing. The role of the client is to simply focus on the issue at hand and lean into whatever thought, sensation or feeling may arise.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A BRAINSPOTTING SESSION?

SET UP/PRE-PROCESSING: In brainspotting, you will come into session, with an issue that you want to work though. (Sometimes we may have talked about the issue in the session prior, other times it may have been something that came up between sessions). Together, we will locate a “brainspot” which is a specific spot in your field of vision where you will hold your gaze while looking at a pointer, that I hold in front of you. We find your brainspot by first determining your level of activation (scale of 1-10, how activated/triggered/uncomfortable you feel), locating the place in your body that you feel that activation (ache in chest, pain in stomach, tight shoulders, etc) and then we will determine where that sensation in the body is most intense.

PROCESSING TIME: Once we have located your brainspot, you will focus on the spot (I will hold a pointer in the air at that specific spot so you have a focal point to look at) and you will listen to biolateral sound which enhances the experience. Occasionally, I may check in with you to see how activated you are, and may have some brief comments. However, you as the client are leading the session and I am following in the “tail of the comet” which means allowing you to take the lead. During this time, you can keep your eyes open or closed (called shades up or shades down), and you can speak as much or as little as you would like as your brain and body process the issue at hand. Clients’ experiences vary greatly during this time. Sometimes intense emotions arise (crying, nausea, or others, depending on how your body responds). I will be right there with you during this journey and remind you that you are not alone as emotions and sensations arise.

THE END/POST PROCESSING TIME: I will let you know when we have a few minutes left, and will guide you to the end of the processing time. Afterwards, I will instruct you to turn off the music, give you a chance to come back into the room, get a drink of water, stretch, close eyes, or whatever else you may need to refocus into the present moment. We will spend a few moments discussing your experience. I will remind you that brainspotting is like a workout for your mind and you may find yourself more thirsty, tired, etc, over the following days. I will encourage you to continue checking in with yourself regarding the issue you processed during session, and will ask for any feedback you would like to share.

(There are a variety of types of brainspotting and the above description is one of the more basic ‘set ups’ and most simple to explain. I am trained in numerous types of brainspotting including inside window brainspotting, outside window brainspotting one eyed brainspotting, resource brainspotting and gaze spotting, to name a few. Depending on the client, I will use my professional discretion as to what type of brainspotting set up to use. They are all effective and I explain the set up we are implementing during any given session so the client knows what to expect)

Brainspotting is 100% voluntary and I recognize that it may seem a bit “different” “funny” or even “weird” when you first hear about it. That being said, if you are open to trying it, brainspotting can elicit PROFOUND shifts in perspective and can be a beautiful and powerful tool. Clients have made comments such as “I could literally feel the trauma leaving my body” and “It completely shifted the way I feel about my family member who I have had a strained relationship with for decades” after a session. Gives me chills just to think about!

I am trained in Brainspotting (levels 1 and 2 practitioner- over 40 hours of live training with experts in the field) and am part of the Baltimore Brainspotting Collective. I regularly use brainspotting with clients in conjunction with other treatment modalities including ERP, visualizations, externalizations, CBT and IFS. If you have more questions or would like to give brainspotting a try, reach out! I also offer brainspotting sessions to clients who are currently working with another therapist and would like to process a specific issue through brainspotting even though their therapist is not trained in this modality.