Healing Trauma Beyond Words: The Power of Brainspotting
In this article:
What is brainspotting?
Brainspotting vs traditional therapy
Unlocking the power of brainspotting
The Neuroscientific basis of brainspotting
What to look for in a brainspotting therapist
Is brainspotting right for me?
What Is Brainspotting?
Trauma can be an intricate and deeply rooted experience that is often difficult to work through with only talk therapy. Brainspotting offers a method to access and heal trauma on a deep and neurological level. Let’s explore how Brainspotting can be a game-changer for clients who have tried talk therapy and are seeking a more effective way to heal from their trauma.
Brainspotting vs. Traditional Therapy
Talk therapy, while so valuable and beneficial, sometimes has its limitations, particularly when it comes to addressing trauma. Trauma often resides in the nonverbal and subconscious parts of the brain, making it difficult to fully process and release through traditional conversation alone. Clients may find themselves feeling stuck, hitting a plateau, or even retraumatized during the process. This is where Brainspotting, as a holistic and neurologically grounded alternative, can be a wonderful addition to talk therapy.
Unlocking the Power of Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique that taps into the brain's innate ability to heal itself. Developed by Dr. David Grand, it utilizes the connection between eye movement and the processing of trauma, memories, and emotions. The therapist guides the client's gaze, or sometimes the client guides, to locate a "brainspot," which is an eye position related to the specific issue being addressed. This eye position activates the deep brain structures and networks associated with trauma, enabling profound processing and release without the need for extensive verbalization.
Unlike just talk therapy, Brainspotting doesn't rely solely on conscious thought. Instead, it engages the brain's natural capacity to reorganize itself and heal. Clients can access trauma that might have been too overwhelming to address through conversation alone. By bypassing the cognitive defenses that often hinder progress in talk therapy, Brainspotting allows for a direct route to healing the emotional wounds associated with trauma. It can often take a few sessions of Brainspotting to fully process the trauma, and it is often paired with more traditional talk therapies to help process after each Brainspotting session.
From the client's perspective, Brainspotting is a unique and deeply introspective therapeutic experience. It feels like embarking on a journey into the uncharted territories of one's own mind and emotions. As you sit in the comforting presence of your therapist, you’re guided to focus on a specific point in your visual field that resonates with the core of your emotional turmoil. Instead of looking at the point, you relax and look through it, focusing on your bodily sensations and letting it take you on the journey of your healing. It's often described as peering through a powerful magnifying glass into the recesses of the subconscious, where memories, thoughts, and sensations come to life in vivid detail. It can be intense to confront past traumas or deep-seated fears. So it’s important to be gentle with yourself as the processing continues after the brainspotting session.
The Neuroscientific Basis of Brainspotting
The effectiveness of Brainspotting is supported by neuroscientific research. Studies have shown that eye movement is intricately linked to the brain's processing of emotions and memories. Brainspotting harnesses this connection by directing the client's gaze to specific eye positions corresponding to the brain's areas where trauma is stored. This approach activates the brain's natural mechanisms of healing and integration, facilitating the release of emotional blockages and the restoration of mental well-being.
What to Look For In A Brainspotting Therapist
When searching for a Brainspotting therapist, it's crucial to consider several key factors to ensure you find the right person to address your specific needs.
First and foremost, look for a therapist who is certified and trained in Brainspotting techniques. This ensures they have undergone specialized training and are well-versed in the method's principles and applications.
Additionally, seek out a therapist who possesses relevant experience in treating issues similar to yours, whether it's childhood trauma, intimate partner violence, or grief. A good rapport and sense of trust with your therapist are also vital, so don't hesitate to schedule an initial consultation to gauge your comfort level with them. You should feel safe to dive into the work with them.
Finally, inquire about their approach to therapy, as well as their fees and availability, to make sure they align with your preferences and logistical considerations. Ultimately, finding the right Brainspotting therapist is a personal process, but these factors can serve as valuable guidelines to aid in your search for effective and empathetic support.
Is Brainspotting Right For Me?
For clients who have felt stuck or unfulfilled with traditional talk therapy, Brainspotting offers a new and exciting pathway to healing trauma. By engaging the brain's natural processing abilities and bypassing cognitive defenses, Brainspotting provides a profound and effective way to address trauma on a neurological level. Backed by neuroscientific research and endorsed by therapists worldwide, this approach holds the promise of transforming the way we heal from trauma and create lasting change.
Remember, healing is a unique journey for each individual, and the effectiveness of therapeutic approaches can vary. It's important to work closely with a trained Brainspotting therapist, such as Marjorie Boggs Vazquez, to determine if this approach aligns with your needs and goals.
Academic Resources
Corrigan, F.; Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for accessing and healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation. Medical Hypotheses, 80(6), 759–766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2013.03.005
Hildebrand, A., Grand, D., & Stemmler, M. (2015). Zur Wirksamkeit von Brainspotting - Ein neues Therapieverfahren zur Behandlung von Posttraumatischen Belastungsstörungen [The efficacy of Brainspotting – a new therapy approach for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder]. Trauma - Zeitschrift für Psychotraumatologie und ihre Anwendungen, 13(1), 84-92.
Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy For Rapid and Effective Change. Boulder, CO: Sounds True.
