Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a brain-body based therapy that helps people process and heal from trauma, stress, and emotional challenges. Founded and developed by David Grand, Ph.D., Brainspotting works from the idea that "where you look affects how you feel."
By identifying a specific point within your field of vision, brainspotting allows direct accesses the subcortical (feeling and survival) brain where trauma, difficult memories, and stress are stored. This bypasses the need to verbalize or intellectually understand your experience. The process engages the body's natural healing mechanisms, allowing the nervous system to complete the processing it couldn't finish when the traumatic event occurred. Through this focused attention and the safety of the therapeutic relationship, the brain can reorganize and integrate these experiences, leading to resolution and relief.
Brainspotting is a client-led approach. This modality holds the belief that your brain knows what it needs to heal, the therapist is simply there to hold space, provide emotional attunement, and follow your process. Through forming a strong connection with your provider, this emotional attunement enhances the healing experience, allowing your nervous system to release what it's been holding onto.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Both work on the premise that eye position is connected to how trauma is stored in the brain and can facilitate processing.
EMDR is more structured and protocol-driven. The therapist guides bilateral stimulation while the client alternates between focusing on the traumatic memory and following the therapist's hand movements.
Brainspotting is less structured and more client-led. The therapist will assist in finding a specific eye position (a "brainspot") where you feel the most activation or disturbance related to the issue. Once the eye position is found, you hold your gaze there while processing. Emphasizes the body's natural healing capacity.
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Once the brainspoting is identified, you'll hold your gaze on that spot while your therapist sits with you in focused, attuned silence. You will start to feel very present or slightly "zoned out" as your brain beings to access the deeper levels. You might experience waves of emotion, physical sensations like tension, tingling, warmth, or release. Different memories, images, or thoughts may arise. Some people feel a lot happening, while others experience subtle shifts. Many people feel tired, as they've done deep physical or emotional work. Others feel lighter, calmer, or more settled.
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Brainspotting can help with a wide range of concerns including trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, phobias, chronic pain, and stress-related issues. It's also effective for processing grief, relationship difficulties, performance anxiety, and physical symptoms connected to emotional experiences.
The process of
scheduling an appointment.
1. Schedule a Consultation
Scheduling a consultation in therapy involves setting up a phone call to discuss your goals and needs. During this initial conversation, I’ll share my specialties and approach to ensure we’re a good fit for working together. It’s a chance for us to get to know each other and decide if continuing with in-person sessions feels like the right step forward.
2. Intake Session
An intake session is an essential first step in our work together. During this one-hour session, we focus on creating a safe, welcoming space where we can begin to build rapport and explore your unique needs. I’ll guide you through a series of intake questions to better understand your background, goals, and any concerns you may have. This helps us lay the foundation for our work together and ensures we’re on the right path for your growth.
3. Ongoing Sessions
Ongoing therapy sessions are focused on supporting your progress and deepening our work together. Each session is tailored to your current needs, whether that’s exploring challenges, developing coping strategies, or working toward your goals. We aim to create a space where you feel comfortable, supported, and heard, so we can explore what matters most to you and help you move forward at your own pace. It’s all about making real progress, one step at a time.