What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting has become one of the most effective treatments for trauma and “getting unstuck”, but with a name like that, WHAT IS IT?

It is a brain-body therapy that uses eye position, bilateral stimulation music, somatic attunement, and dual attunement to process difficult emotions and create permanent neuroplastic change that brings insight, lasting peace, and resolves trauma/stuckness.

Think of it like this:  Instead of just talking about your trauma, brainspotting helps you tap into where it's stored in your body and access a deeper level of processing so reset your nervous system, release that trauma and create healing.

I am a big fan of Talk Therapy and still offer that as an option to clients, but if you’re ready to get out of your head and into your body and if you’re ready to make big lasting change over something you’ve been stuck over for a long time, Brainspotting is the right next step for you!

What are you ready to not be activated by anymore?

Q&A

Who is Brainspotting for?

Brainspotting therapy is great for anyone! And it is particularly effective for a range of symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, negative feelings, deeply ingrained issues, and chronic pain.  It can help with PTSD, anxiety disorders, depression, with performance anxiety (which is how it got Brainspotting got started), and even phobias.

How quickly does Brainspotting work?

Most clients start to feel relief or shifts in their emotions after just a few sessions, while others may need longer-term therapy to fully address their concerns. To give you enough time to see how well the therapy is working for you, many therapists will recommend 6–10 sessions to start.

Some people may find that they need fewer sessions, especially if they’re working on a specific concern like reducing anxiety or processing a particular issue. Others might benefit from ongoing sessions to explore deeper emotional layers or more complex trauma. A therapist can help you decide how many sessions are right for you and the issues you’re working on.

How do you know Brainspotting is working?

Brainspotting resets the brain's memory of a particular trauma or incident and how it shows up in the body changes with that reset, which can be felt somatically and emotionally immediately and in days and weeks after session.

The signs that brainspotting is working can vary, but many people start to notice changes in their emotional state, how they respond to stress, or even how their body feels after several sessions. 

You may experience:

A sense of emotional release or relief — almost like a weight has been lifted.

Less intense reactions to emotions or memories that used to feel overwhelming

A feeling of calm or groundedness

An easier time facing situations that once caused stress or anxiety

The ability to consider past traumas without the same emotional charge

Physical changes, like a release of tension in your body or improved sleep patterns

Still, remember that healing isn’t always immediate. Some people notice small shifts at first, like feeling more at ease in certain situations, while others experience bigger emotional breakthroughs. 

What happens in the brain during Brainspotting?

Brainspotting activates the areas in the brain where trauma or “stuckness” is stored. It allows you to process and release painful memories. You may feel a shift in your emotions and body during and after a brainspotting session.

Brainspotting works by activating the brain’s limbic system, which then helps the brain focus on the emotions that are associated with particular memories. Once these emotions are identified and the attached memory has been discovered, a therapist can help a patient work through the emotions that they are feeling as they focus on them with greater clarity. 

Do you talk during Brainspotting?

While traditional talk therapy requires verbal sharing, Brainspotting focuses more on processing trauma through eye positions and body sensations. Some people choose to share their observations, but it's not necessary for the process.

Do you cry during Brainspotting?

This could manifest in many different ways, such as crying, feeling a sense of relief, or experiencing a newfound sense of peace.

Does Brainspotting really heal trauma and manage anxiety?

Though Brainspotting therapy is primarily focused on discovering and alleviating trauma, it can help many different types of issues, including anxiety, stuckness, and performance blocks.

What Do You Do During Brainspotting?

You're not expected to “do” anything specific, other than observe what comes up for you. You might notice body sensations, memories, or emotions. You might sit quietly for a while or talk through what you're experiencing.

What’s the history of Brainspotting?

Brainspotting was discovered by Dr. David Grand as he was utilizing EMDR therapy to help survivors of 9/11 work through their trauma. During one session, he discovered that his patient’s eye movement was repeatedly getting “stuck” in the same spot. When he had the patient intentionally focus on the spot, the patient was suddenly able to dive deeper into their emotions and trauma than they ever had before. This prompted Dr. David Grand to develop the practice. At the same time, Dr. Grand was able to determine that the patient did not seem to be reliving the trauma like they did during EMDR. In addition, they were still able to process the emotions that had been buried, allowing the brain to essentially “reset” itself. 1

What’s the difference between Brainspotting & EMDR?

Actually, Brainspotting was discovered through EMDR! You can consider Brainspotting as EMDR’s slightly younger cousin.

Brainspotting is known as a gentler, more flexible, more somatic/body-based, subconscious and creative approach. Whereas, EMDR is known as more structured and memory based, and is ideal for individuals who want a structured path to reprocessing trauma

Brainspotting vs EMDR: Similarities

The primary similarities between the two therapies are: