“Where you look affects how you feel…”
Brainspotting (BSP), discovered by modifying EMDR, is considered a brain-body and relational modality that is used to process traumatic experiences and difficult or ‘stuck’ emotions, boost creativity, and more.
One of the most unique and fascinating aspects about Brainspotting is that you do not need to talk about your trauma or experiences in order to heal from them. This is based in our biology. Trauma gets stuck in the body and in deep layers of the brain, where there is no language and therefore cannot be accessed and processed by simply talking about it. Brainspotting is a technique which allows our body to “talk” through trauma in its language of sensations.
The term ‘Brainspot’ is referencing the eye position that connects with the emotional activation or sensation of a particular issue. The focused eye position stimulates activity in the limbic brain that is connected with the concern being processed. You can see this in action through this activity:
Think of the thing that made you proudest of yourself in the past year. Seriously, think about it!
What was it?
Odds are that you changed your eye position, unconsciously, when you were trying to access that memory. This is a real-time example of how ‘where we look affects how we feel’ (and what we have access to, deep in our memory).
Types of Brainspotting
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What is this set-up used for?
To access and process intense emotional or traumatic experiences.
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This approach involves identifying a brainspot associated with a high level of activation or distress.
The client focuses on the physical sensations, emotions, or memories that are highly charged or activating.
Who could benefit from this?
Ideal for clients who are ready to process and release deeply held traumatic memories or intense emotions.
It can lead to rapid processing and release of traumatic material, compared to traditional talk therapy methods.
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What is this set-up used for?
To provide a sense of safety and stability while processing trauma.
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This method focuses on finding a brainspot that evokes feelings of calm, safety, or strength in the client.
It is used to build and reinforce a client's internal resources and resilience.
Who could benefit from this?
Useful for clients who may not be ready to directly confront traumatic material.
Helps to establish a sense of stability and containment, making it easier for clients to engage in deeper therapeutic work.
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What is this set-up used for?
To explore and expand positive or adaptive experiences and resources.
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This approach aims to enhance and expand positive neural pathways by focusing on brainspots associated with positive, expansive experiences.
It involves identifying brainspots that relate to feelings of growth, achievement, or other positive states.
Who could benefit from this?
Ideal for clients who want to enhance their strengths and positive experiences.
Helps in reinforcing and broadening the client's sense of well-being and capacity for positive experiences.
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What is this set-up used for?
To reduce activation related to repetitive, intrusive, and/or distressing mental images in an individual.
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HBH involves identifying brainspots while the client focuses on specific visual images, which can evoke emotions or memories relevant to their therapeutic goals.
Some clients find that they see a more rapid decrease in their activation and distress related to mental imagery when using method.
Who could benefit from this?
Individuals who experience distress related to specific mental images such as past memories, fears around upcoming situations playing out in their minds, intrusive thoughts in the form of visuals, etc.
What is Brainspotting?
What is a session like?
Vergence Technique
Self-spotting
Resources