Brainspotting (BSP) is a revolutionary brain and body-based therapy approach developed by David Grand, Ph.D. in 2003. It is a powerful and effective method of identifying, processing, and releasing various types of trauma. It can be utilized in combination with talk therapy or as a singular healing modality.
Traumatic or stressful events can overwhelm the brain and body, leaving behind unprocessed traumatic imprints that manifest as psychological or emotional problems in a person’s life. This results in an overwhelmed and imbalanced nervous system. Brainspotting works on easing this emotional and physical pain by accessing, processing and releasing neurophysiological sources of pain and trauma held in the subcortical brain. Brainspotting is able to get around the neocortex, our thinking brain, and deeply access painful feelings or memories we have locked away.
Brainspotting allows a trained therapist to utilize a client’s field of vision to discover specific spots in the brain where trauma is being held, called a “brainspot”. Often, the individual can identify a brainspot by noticing an increase of emotions or body sensations in a particular visual position. The therapist may help identify brainspots by observing reflexive responses in the client such as changes in the eyes, facial expression, breathing patterns or body position. Once these are located, deep processing releases and heals the unprocessed traumatic impression.
Importantly, Brainspotting does not remove memories of traumatic life events. Rather, it safely diminishes the negative feelings associated with the events. Minor traumas can often be addressed and healed in a couple of sessions, whereas more complex traumas may require several sessions to heal. In a way, Brainspotting allows a person to have more understanding and control over one’s emotions and experiences.
The healing power of this technique comes from the combination of the relationship between the therapist and client in dual-attunement, and the strength of the brain/body connection. This gentle process is suitable for anyone and can be helpful in treating a wide variety of concerns such as:
Many individuals have shared in therapy about the difficulties in their lives that keep resurfacing, no matter how much they work to unravel them. This occurs often because trauma hides in the part of our brain that is outside of the ability to cognitively reframe our pain. Brainspotting is so effective because it bypasses the thinking brain and goes directly to the feeling brain that holds the most tender parts of us. It also accesses the body through the nervous system, healing things we may not have known were there. It is one of the most effective ways to use the body’s resources for healing.