Brainspotting is a relatively new technique being used to process psychological trauma and heal from depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain. It takes elements of Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) using bilateral stimulation of the brain to re-process difficult emotions and memories.
For individuals suffering from trauma and have already tried standard talk therapies, brainspotting may be a supportive alternative treatment that can help re-process painful memories and ease distress.
What Is Brainspotting? How Does It Work?
Brainspotting is a form of therapy to process trauma and emotional distress. It helps patients identify spots in their visual field known as “brain spots”, to process long-term memories that store emotional distress in the mind and body.
It was developed from the foundation of EMDR. This therapy also uses bilateral stimulation to recall memories in the brain and ease emotional distress.Working with a licensed therapist, you will have a session similar to EMDR, where tapping, auditory tones or visual cues will be used to put you in an hypnotic like state (although not hypnosis).
However, unlike EMDR, brainspotting does not require a specific memory or recall, but instead focuses on different locations of where your eyes move and focus.
The theory behind brainspotting was developed by Dr. David Grand, a psychologist practicing EMDR. While working with patients he noticed depending on where patients looked in their field of vision, it evoked different emotions or sensations. By focusing on these spots, he found sessions to be more impactful in supporting his patients.
Brainspotting proposes that different eye movement and positions correlate to different “spots” in the brain. It is believed to access these deeper parts of the brain that typical talk therapy may not be able to reach.
Brainspotting Techniques
There are different brainspotting techniques a licensed therapist trained in brainspotting will use to help identify certain “brainspots” that can be linked to emotional distress or traumatic experiences stored in the long-term memory.
- Using the Visual Field: Using bilateral stimulation, your therapist will use the visual field to identify certain brainspots that trigger emotional or sensory responses.
- Mindfulness: Plays a large role in brainspotting, facilitating communication between the brain and body, can help tune into bodily sensations that may come from unprocessed experiences, memories or emotions
- Dual Attunement Frame: Therapist will help identify the brainspot, while at the same time helping the patient attune to their internal experiences and sensations in their mind and body
- Resource spotting: This helps guide the client to identify areas in the visual field that promote positive feelings of strength, resilience and empowerment
Brainspotting Benefits
For healing trauma and mental health problems, brainspotting is believed to unlock natural healing abilities in the brain. It allows the mind to “self-scan” and gain access to the parts of the brain where traumatic experiences are stored.
When a therapist identifies a brainspot, they can help guide the patient to focus and build awareness on that spot. They can help discover certain emotions or experiences related to that spot. Some of the benefits of brainspotting include:
- Easier processing of distressing emotions related to trauma
- Helping uncover traumatic experiences in long-term memory that may be stored deep in the brain
- Can relieve symptoms of psychiatric or physical pain
- Builds mindfulness to help the brain and body communicate with each other
- Some theorize it can increase and improve pathways in the neural network
Who is Right for Brainspotting?
Patients suffering from trauma, depression, anxiety disorders or substance abuse issues may find lasting relief from brainspotting. It is considered a low-risk therapy, with little to no side effects.
If you are struggling to overcome heavy emotions, traumatic experiences, symptoms of anxiety or depression, brainspotting may be a helpful alternative to conventional therapy. However, it is important to keep in mind, patients with severe trauma may find emotions or memories arise during or after the brainspotting session that can cause distress. It is important to discuss this with your mental health provider as they arise.
What Brainspotting Therapy Can Help With
Brainspotting was first created as a treatment for trauma but has grown to support individuals with a number of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
Some mental health conditions that patients have found support with from brainspotting include:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Specific phobias
- Dissociative Disorders
- Substance abuse disorder
- Chronic pain with no external cause
- Growing in the field of sports psychology to support focus, mindfulness and performance in professional athletes
Brainspotting is a new form of therapy with still much to discover on it´s benefits and other conditions it could be helpful for.
Sources
D’Antoni, F., Matiz, A., Fabbro, F., & Crescentini, C. (2022). Psychotherapeutic Techniques for Distressing Memories: A Comparative Study between EMDR, Brainspotting, and Body Scan Meditation. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(3), 1142.
