Brainspotting Therapy
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting therapy is a unique approach to psychotherapy that was developed by David Grand, Ph.D., a licensed clinical social worker and psychotherapist. This therapy is designed to help individuals access and process traumatic or emotionally charged experiences that are stored in the deeper parts of the brain, such as the amygdala and the brainstem.
Brainspotting therapy is based on the idea that certain eye positions can stimulate these deeper areas of the brain, allowing individuals to release and heal from unresolved emotional or physical pain.
This approach can be particularly effective for individuals who have experienced trauma, anxiety, depression, and other emotional or psychological issues. Brainspotting therapy is a relatively new and rapidly growing field, and many individuals are finding it to be a powerful and transformative way to heal and grow.
How does Brainspotting work?
Brainspotting therapy is based on the idea that unresolved emotional and physical pain is stored in deeper parts of the brain, such as the amygdala and brainstem.
Brainspotting therapy aims to access and process these areas through the identification and stimulation of "brain spots" - specific points within an individual's visual field that are linked to these deeper parts of the brain.
During a Brainspotting therapy session, the therapist works with the client to identify and focus on a brain spot, using mindful attention, body sensations, and/or eye positions. Once the brain spot is identified, the therapist and client work together to explore the emotions and experiences associated with the brain spot.
The therapist may use various techniques to facilitate the processing of emotions and experiences, including visualization, sensory awareness, and talk therapy. The goal of this approach is to help the client access and release the underlying emotional and physical pain that is stored in the deeper parts of the brain, leading to healing and transformation.
Brainspotting therapy is a flexible approach that can be adapted to the needs of each individual client. It can be used for a variety of issues, including trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, and more. The therapy is generally conducted in a safe and supportive environment, allowing the client to explore and process difficult emotions and experiences at their own pace.
What are brain spots in Brainspotting?
Brain spots are the foundation of Brainspotting therapy. They are specific points within an individual's field of vision that are correlated with the experience and processing of emotional or physical pain, trauma, or other issues that may be affecting the person's mental and emotional well-being.
These brain spots are believed to be connected to deeper parts of the brain, such as the amygdala and the brainstem, which are involved in processing emotions and regulating the body's response to stress. By identifying and focusing on a brain spot, a therapist can help an individual access these deeper areas of the brain and work through unresolved emotional or physical pain.
Brain spots can be identified using a variety of techniques, such as mindful attention, bodily sensations, or eye movements. Once identified, the therapist and client work together to explore and process the emotions and experiences associated with the brain spot, often leading to deep healing and transformation.
Overall, brain spots are a key component of Brainspotting therapy and are used to help individuals access and heal from trauma and other emotional and psychological issues.
Is Brainspotting the same as EMDR?
While there are similarities between Brainspotting and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, they are not the same thing.
Both Brainspotting and EMDR therapy utilize the connection between the brain, the body, and the eyes to facilitate healing, but they do so in slightly different ways. Brainspotting involves identifying a "brain spot," which is a specific point in the visual field that is linked to the activation of traumatic or emotionally charged experiences in the brain. The therapist and client then use focused attention and visualization to work through these experiences, often without any external stimulation.
EMDR therapy, on the other hand, uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements, taps, or sounds) to activate the brain's processing systems and facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories. EMDR therapy also involves a standardized protocol that includes specific phases and techniques, whereas Brainspotting is a more flexible approach that can be tailored to each individual client's needs.
In summary, both Brainspotting and EMDR therapy are effective forms of therapy that utilize the connection between the brain, body, and eyes to help individuals heal from emotional and psychological pain. However, they are different approaches that utilize different techniques and protocols to achieve their goals.
What does a Brainspotting therapy session look like?
A typical Brainspotting therapy session may look similar to other types of psychotherapy sessions, but with some unique features. Here are some common elements of a Brainspotting therapy session:
- Intake and goal setting: At the beginning of the session, the therapist will likely spend some time getting to know the client and learning about their goals for therapy. The therapist may also provide an overview of what to expect during the session.
- Identifying the brain spot: The therapist and client will work together to identify a specific brain spot. This may involve the client tracking their bodily sensations or following the therapist's instructions to move their eyes to different positions.
- Focusing on the brain spot: Once the brain spot is identified, the therapist and client will focus on it. This may involve holding a steady gaze on the brain spot or tracking it with their eyes while the therapist guides the client in exploring their emotions and sensations.
- Processing the emotions and experiences: The therapist will guide the client in exploring their emotions and experiences that arise while focusing on the brain spot. This may involve talking, visualization, or other techniques to help the client process and release any unresolved emotional or physical pain.
- Closing the session: The therapist will help the client transition back to their normal state of mind and body. They may also provide homework or recommendations for self-care between sessions.
Overall, a Brainspotting therapy session is a collaborative and flexible process that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. The therapist provides a safe and supportive environment for the client to explore and process their emotions and experiences, leading to healing and growth.
Who is Brainspotting for?
Many different types of people can benefit from Brainspotting therapy, but some individuals may be particularly well-suited for this type of therapy. Here are some groups of people who may benefit the most from Brainspotting therapy:
- Individuals with unresolved trauma: Brainspotting therapy can be especially effective for individuals who have experienced trauma, including physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or accidents.
- People with chronic pain: Brainspotting therapy can help individuals with chronic pain release the emotional and psychological factors that contribute to their pain and improve their overall well-being.
- Individuals with anxiety or depression: Brainspotting therapy can help individuals with anxiety or depression identify and process the underlying causes of their symptoms, leading to greater emotional regulation and a greater sense of control over their lives.
- Performers and athletes: Brainspotting therapy can be helpful for individuals who want to improve their performance or overcome performance anxiety, including athletes, actors, and musicians.
- Individuals seeking personal growth and transformation: Brainspotting therapy can be used to explore and release limiting beliefs, patterns, and behaviors, and help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Overall, anyone who is open to exploring their emotions and experiences and seeking greater emotional and psychological well-being can benefit from Brainspotting therapy. It is a flexible and adaptable approach that can be tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual client.
What conditions does Brainspotting treat?
Brainspotting therapy can be used for a wide range of mental health and emotional issues. Here are some conditions and concerns that Brainspotting therapy can help with:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Addiction
- Chronic pain
- Stress and overwhelm
- Dissociation
- Performance anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief and loss
- Self-esteem and self-worth issues
- Issues related to identity and sexuality
Brainspotting therapy is suitable for individuals of all ages and backgrounds, and it can be used in conjunction with other types of therapy and treatment approaches. It can be particularly helpful for individuals who have not found relief through other forms of therapy or who are seeking a more holistic approach to healing.
What are the benefits of Brainspotting?
There are many potential benefits of Brainspotting therapy. Here are some of the most commonly reported benefits:
- Faster healing: Brainspotting therapy can help individuals experience more rapid healing and progress compared to other forms of therapy, as it targets the deeper parts of the brain where trauma and emotional pain are stored.
- Increased emotional regulation: Brainspotting therapy can help individuals develop greater emotional regulation and resilience, enabling them to manage stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges more effectively.
- Improved physical health: Brainspotting therapy can be beneficial for individuals with chronic pain, as it can help release emotional and psychological factors that contribute to physical pain and other physical health issues.
- Greater self-awareness: Brainspotting therapy can help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance, allowing them to better understand their emotions and experiences and make positive changes in their lives.
- Enhanced performance: Brainspotting therapy can be used to help individuals overcome performance anxiety and improve their overall performance in various areas of their lives, such as sports, music, and public speaking.
- More holistic approach: Brainspotting therapy takes a holistic approach to healing, addressing the interconnection between emotional, physical, and psychological factors, rather than focusing solely on one area.
Overall, Brainspotting therapy can be a powerful tool for individuals seeking to heal from emotional pain, trauma, and other mental health concerns, leading to greater well-being and quality of life.
What are the downfalls of Brainspotting?
While Brainspotting therapy can be an effective treatment approach for many individuals, there are some potential downsides or limitations to consider:
- Limited research: While there is growing interest and research on Brainspotting therapy, there is still relatively limited empirical research on its efficacy compared to other forms of therapy.
- Intense emotions: Because Brainspotting therapy involves accessing and processing deep emotional and traumatic experiences, some clients may find the process emotionally intense and challenging to manage.
- Not suitable for everyone: While Brainspotting therapy can be effective for many people, it may not be the best choice for individuals who have difficulty tolerating intense emotions or who have a history of severe mental health issues.
- Limited availability: Brainspotting therapy is still a relatively new and specialized therapy approach, and as a result, it may not be readily available or accessible in all geographic locations or covered by all insurance plans.
- Need for a trained therapist: Brainspotting therapy should be administered by a trained and licensed therapist who has received specialized training in the approach, which can limit the number of qualified providers in certain areas.
It is important to discuss the potential risks and benefits of Brainspotting therapy with a qualified mental health professional before beginning treatment to determine if it is the best fit for an individual's specific needs and goals.
Case Studies of Brainspotting
Brainspotting therapy was developed by Dr. David Grand, a licensed clinical psychologist, and his colleague Dr. Frank Corrigan in 2003. Dr. Grand had been working with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), another form of trauma therapy, and noticed that some clients had better results when their gaze was held in a particular position. This observation led to the development of Brainspotting therapy, which focuses on identifying and processing these "brainspots" in the brain related to unresolved trauma and emotional pain.
Over time, Dr. Grand and other practitioners of Brainspotting therapy developed various techniques and approaches to the therapy, based on their clinical experience and observations. They also conducted research on the efficacy of the approach, with studies indicating that Brainspotting therapy can be an effective treatment for trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns.
Today, Brainspotting therapy has gained popularity as a specialized form of trauma therapy, and is practiced by trained and licensed therapists around the world. The therapy continues to evolve and adapt, with ongoing research and clinical practice leading to refinements in its techniques and approaches.
Resources:
If you have a troubled teenager who is struggling with mental health issues, substance abuse, or trauma-related challenges, know that you don't have to face this alone. Havenwood Academy is here to help.
At Havenwood Academy, we specialize in providing Brainspotting therapy and other evidence-based treatments to help teens heal and recover from emotional pain and trauma. We offer a safe and supportive environment where teens can receive individualized care from experienced and compassionate professionals.
If you're not sure whether your teen needs help or what kind of help they might need, we invite you to take our online assessment to gain insight into your teen's needs and determine whether Havenwood Academy is the right fit for your family. The assessment is free, confidential, and takes only a few minutes to complete.
If you're ready to take the next step and get help for your teen, we encourage you to reach out to us directly. Our admissions team is available to answer any questions you may have and provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision about your teen's care.
Remember, you don't have to face these challenges alone. Havenwood Academy is here to help you and your teen on the road to healing and recovery. Don't wait - contact us today to take the first step towards a brighter future for your family.
References
D;, C. F. G. (n.d.). Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for accessing and healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation. Medical hypotheses. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570648/
D'Antoni, F., Matiz, A., Fabbro, F., & Crescentini, C. (2022, January 20). Psychotherapeutic techniques for distressing memories: A comparative study between EMDR, brainspotting, and body scan meditation. International journal of environmental research and public health. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8835026/
Hildebrand, A., Grand, D., & Stemmler, M. (n.d.). Brainspotting – the efficacy of a new therapy approach for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in comparison to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://cab.unime.it/journals/index.php/MJCP/article/view/1376
Eric Allred was born and raised in Rigby, Idaho. He grew up on a family farm where he learned the value of work. He graduated from Rigby High School and attended Rick’s College, now known as BYU-Idaho. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utah State University, received a master’s degree in organizational behavior and human relations from the University of Phoenix and a second master’s degree in marital and family therapy from Phillips Graduate Institute. Eric has been involved in Rotary and was president of a local Rotary Club. He enjoys being with his family and doing outdoor activities such as fly fishing.
Chase was very fortunate to start in this industry as a struggling 17 year old kid looking for a mentor and something to be passionate about. Wilderness therapy was Chase’s first stop in this industry and was truly a transcendental experience for him. Chase has an enormous love for this line of work and the power that it has in creating change in everyone involved. Chase’s biggest belief is the power a mentor, strong, healthy relationships, and accountability can have on anyone, especially youth. Taking a very relational approach to his work, Chase has always been very relatable to the students he works with. Being able to understand and relate to a vast variety of the same struggles as a lot of the students he works with has been able to help him continue to grow, learn, and teach. Chase believes that with great rapport and trust, he can use his experience to continue to coach and train new staff, and has the ability to find those staff with the passion for this industry, and help them grow. His love and passion can be felt the moment you talk with Chase about this industry and he passes that on to others he works with. In his spare time you will find Chase cheering for the Eagles, Yankees, and Mavericks, hanging out with his brother, learning more about Eastern Psychology, and continuing to grow and learn.