What is brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a neuroexperiential model of therapy that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. Talk therapy engages the neocortex, our thinking brain, but that is not where trauma memory is stored. When we feel unsafe and have a strong emotional experience, a response pattern is created in our brain to address future threat. These patterns are stored as physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts. They often lie beneath our conscious awareness and drive our behaviors. Brainspotting taps into the brain's natural healing ability through mindfulness and body based experiencing to release response patterns that are no longer adaptive and hinder growth.
How it works
Focused eye positions are used to access stored traumatic memory in the brain's emotional center. The therapist works with the client to identify the eye position that is connected to a physical sensation and emotion. This mindful focusing allows individuals to safely and fully process experiences that overwhelmed their nervous system in the past. The attuned, calm presence of a brainspotting therapist supports a sense of grounding in the present moment’s safety and encourages the release of maladaptively stored experience. Relaxing bilateral music is also used to enhance deeper processing.
What can I expect during a brainspotting session?
Sessions vary widely because humans vary wildly! Sometimes people experience gentle or profound insight. Other times it may be a mostly physical experience, releasing held tension or pain in the body. Some sessions can feel like a chain of different emotions coming in waves. While there is variation in what people experience, one thing clients can count on is the presence of the therapist to follow and bear compassionate witness to whatever arises within. Brainspotting is a practice in mindful observation, releasing expectations, and growing acceptance of our inner world.
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