For many people, traumatic events, long-standing emotional pain, or unresolved past experiences are an unfortunate fact of life. These events can lead to deep, lasting imprints on our minds and bodies, making it difficult to fully heal or move forward.
Traditional therapies often focus on talking through these issues, but for many, this approach doesn’t always feel like enough. Since we now understand that trauma is stored in the very cells that make up our body, we have to ask: How do we access our bodies, not just engage our minds in talk therapy? This is where brainspotting therapy comes in.
What is Brainspotting Therapy?
Developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003, brainspotting is a cutting-edge therapeutic technique designed to access and release deep-seated emotional pain, trauma, and stress that may be stored in the brain and body. Brainspotting is grounded in the idea that where you look can influence how you feel. By identifying specific eye positions that correspond to unprocessed emotional experiences or trauma, brainspotting taps into the brain’s natural ability to heal itself.
Essentially, the therapist guides the client to “spot” an eye position that correlates with a particular emotion or memory, allowing the client to access that emotional state and process it in real time. This can help release trapped emotions, reduce the intensity of trauma-related symptoms, and restore emotional balance.
The process is often described as non-invasive and deeply intuitive. Rather than relying on verbal dialogue alone, brainspotting works with the body’s inherent ability to store and release trauma.
The therapist may utilize a pointer or simply observe the client’s eye movements to identify areas of emotional tension. Clients remain aware during the session and typically experience emotional shifts as they focus on these eye positions.
Brainspotting can be effective for a wide range of issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, unresolved beliefs and shame, phobias, and chronic pain. It can also help with performance-related challenges in athletes, musicians, and other high-performing individuals.
How Does Brainspotting Therapy Work?
Brainspotting therapy works by tapping into the brain’s natural ability to process and heal unresolved trauma, emotions, and stress. At its core, brainspotting is based on the premise that where you look can influence how you feel. It combines elements of both cognitive and somatic (body-based) therapies, making it a holistic approach to healing.
Identifying the “Brainspot”
The therapist begins by guiding the client to focus on a specific issue, memory, or emotional experience they wish to address, whether it’s a traumatic event, anxiety, or general emotional pain. Using a pointer or a finger, the therapist helps the client locate an eye position that corresponds with the emotional intensity tied to that issue.
These eye positions, called “brainspots,” are believed to be associated with areas in the brain that store unresolved emotional material or trauma. When clients look at a specific brainspot, they may experience a shift in emotional state, often noticing an intensification or release of feelings.
Eye Position and Emotional Processing
The idea behind brainspotting is that certain eye positions can help access deep, unconscious emotional content. By focusing on a particular spot in the visual field, the brain can be directed to process and release emotional material that may be stuck in the nervous system. The therapist typically guides the client to maintain their gaze on the brainspot while staying present with any sensations, emotions, or memories that arise.
Clients may experience a range of sensations during the process, such as physical tension, tears, or shifts in thought patterns. These reactions are seen as signs of the body and brain processing the stored trauma. Sometimes, clients experience a significant emotional release during the session, while others may feel a gradual reduction in the intensity of their emotional or physical symptoms over time.
Processing the Trauma
Brainspotting works by allowing the brain and nervous system to process emotions and memories without the need for verbal processing or rehashing traumatic details. While the client maintains focus on the brainspot, the brain can process the emotions linked to that trauma or unresolved issue at a deeper, non-verbal level.
Unlike traditional talk therapies, brainspotting doesn’t require the client to re-experience or recount the trauma in detail. This makes it particularly effective for people who find it difficult or retraumatizing to speak about their pain directly.
During the session, the therapist remains attuned to the client’s responses, observing their body language and emotional reactions. This provides a safe, supportive space for the client to process and release deeply embedded emotional material. Brainspotting is an integrative approach, allowing for emotional, cognitive, and somatic healing to take place simultaneously.
After the Session
After a brainspotting session, clients often report feeling lighter, more grounded, or more transparent about their emotions. Some might experience temporary emotional intensity or physical sensations as the body processes the trauma in the days following the session. This is normal and often signifies that the body is integrating the healing. Over time, brainspotting can help reduce the emotional charge associated with painful memories, allowing clients to experience greater emotional freedom and resilience.
Effectiveness of Brainspotting Therapy
Brainspotting therapy has gained recognition for its effectiveness in addressing a wide range of emotional and psychological issues, particularly trauma, anxiety, PTSD, depression, and chronic pain. While research on brainspotting is still growing, initial studies and clinical experience suggest that it can be highly effective for many individuals, especially in cases where other therapeutic approaches have not yielded desired results.
Trauma and PTSD
Recent studies have shown that brainspotting was found to be an effective trauma treatment, showing improvements in symptoms of PTSD and emotional dysregulation in participants. Furthermore, brainspotting has shown to be particularly effective for individuals who struggle with traditional therapies, as it does not require them to talk in detail about traumatic events.
Anxiety and Depression
Clients with anxiety often report a reduction in feelings of restlessness, fear, and constant worry after working through specific emotional “brainspots.” For those with depression, brainspotting can help reduce the emotional numbness or heaviness that often accompanies depressive states, allowing for emotional release and healing. The therapy helps shift the brain’s neurobiological response to emotional stimuli, making it easier for clients to manage symptoms of both anxiety and depression.
Performance Anxiety and Self-Esteem Anxiety
Brainspotting can also be effective for individuals facing performance anxiety, whether in sports, public speaking, or other high-pressure environments. The technique allows clients to address the emotional barriers or subconscious beliefs that may hinder their ability to perform at their best. Brainspotting helps individuals process performance-related stress and build greater emotional resilience, leading to improved self-confidence and focus.
Challenges in Measuring Effectiveness
Despite the promising results and positive client feedback, brainspotting is still a relatively new therapeutic method. As such, there is limited large-scale, long-term research comparing its effectiveness to other well-established therapies. While preliminary studies are encouraging, more extensive clinical trials and research are needed to validate its efficacy across various conditions and populations.
Find Out if Brainspotting Therapy is Right For You at The Finding Place
If you think brainspotting therapy might be the key to unlocking your healing journey, The Finding Place is here to help. We are a boutique mental health treatment clinic for individuals, couples, and teens, conveniently located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Our experienced therapists are committed to providing a safe, supportive space for you to process trauma, reduce anxiety, and work through emotional blocks. Whether you’re dealing with past trauma, chronic pain, or seeking emotional clarity, we invite you to reach out and schedule an appointment. Let us help you move forward.
Contact us today and take the first step toward lasting transformation.
