Brainspotting: How it Works and What to Expect
In a society where queer and gender-expansive folks are subject to experiencing frequent discrimination and systemic oppression, we know that it’s important that queer-affirming spaces can provide a space where individuals can feel brave and find a sense of peace and empowerment. Given queer folks’ disproportionate exposure to adversity, folks may start to feel powerless, defeated, and stuck in a state of distress. If you’re feeling this way and have had difficulty healing with talk therapy alone, Brainspotting may be a modality for you to explore with a trusted and affirming provider. Brainspotting is a powerful tool that leverages the brain and body connection to facilitate healing in an affirming & judgment-free space.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting was developed in the early 2000s by Dr. David Grand as a way to release neurophysiological sources of pain - both physical and emotional [3]. The technique involves locating and leveraging eye positions that are linked to adverse emotions and experiences stored in the brain. The beauty of Brainspotting is that the method helps clients access their brains’ innate ability to heal by using eye positions and focused mindfulness to process. You already have exactly what you need to heal – Brainspotting just helps you access it.
The Benefits of Brainspotting
Brainspotting can be used for a variety of presenting concerns, such as:
Process and alleviate feelings of low self-worth
Distress related to rejection and non-acceptance from family of origin
Feelings of disempowerment and defeat somatic symptoms linked to adverse experiences
Help clients feel a greater sense of peace and empowerment, improving the ability to regulate emotions and tolerate distress [1,2,3].
Numerous studies have shown that Brainspotting effectively reduces a number of distressing symptoms, including those connected to PTSD & C-PTSD, anxiety, and depression [1,2,3]. Brainspotting has even been shown to reduce somatic symptoms associated with painful past experiences, including chronic pain [3].
Interested? Here’s What to Expect
Now that you have the science and history behind the technique, you may wonder what Brainspotting looks like! First, you’ll find a Brainspotting therapist with whom you feel comfortable and connected. The clinician’s general approach may vary depending on their theoretical orientation, but the brainspotting piece itself will generally be consistent across clinicians. You’ll identify an area that you’d like to work on and notice where and how you feel any related distress in your body. The clinician will use a pointer to find the eye position associated with the distress. You’ll set your gaze on that point for the length of the session, simply noticing what comes up – physical sensations, thoughts, feelings, memories, etc. The pointer allows your brain to access the processing ability and resources it inherently has to heal. Throughout the session, your therapist stays attuned with you, holding space for anything that comes up. You are completely in control of the session throughout, your brain being the expert in knowing what you need to heal.
Brainspotting can be a powerful catalyst for healing. If this technique sounds like something you’d find helpful, stay tuned for more material to come on our website. If you’re curious about research and case studies on this method in addition to the ones referenced below, you can find them at this link. If you are interested in starting with a therapist who offers Brainspotting, don’t hesitate to reach out to myself, or Ryan. It would be an honor to work with you.
References
Corrigan, F., & Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: recruiting the midbrain for accessing and healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation. Medical Hypotheses, 80(6). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2013.03.005
D’Antoni, Matiz, Fabbro, & Crescentini (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). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031142
Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: The revolutionary new therapy for rapid and effective change. Sounds True, Inc.