Brainspotting
There are some past experiences, traumas, and pain so deeply embedded in the brain that they remain unprocessed. The mind is unable to heal itself from these unprocessed and unrecognized traumas. As a result, the body starts to suffer from physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms that are difficult to release.
Brainspotting, an innovative, neuro-experiential approach, aims to move the healing process forward by unearthing suppressed memories and emotions through a specific eye-positioning
What is Brainspotting?
This modality works with the theory “where you look affects how you feel.” It uses a fixed gaze eye position to initiate a self-healing in the central nervous system, processing and releasing trauma, lived experience, thoughts, emotions, and other stored bodily experiences. Our bodies hold the depth and stories of our own history. This is why body-based approaches are so important for working with traumatic experiences and memories of the past, as well as any information within the “subcortical brain”—where our deeper consciousness lives.
Brainspotting was discovered by David Grand, PhD in 2003, while working with a patient using eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Unlike EMDR, which combines guided side-to-side eye movements and largely facilitated talk therapy, brainspotting lets the body lead by fluidly tracking physical responses until they signal a point of focus.
How brainspotting helps the healing process
By tapping into the core location that holds unregistered trauma, brainspotting bypasses the “thinking” part of the mind and lets you reach the deeply attached wounds that lay therein. The goal is not to define the specific details of the traumatic incident; rather, it focuses on the gentle preparation of the brain and body to recognize that trauma exists and that these are the emotional and physical feelings associated with it. Achieving this state of intense mindfulness unlocks the power of self-healing and improved well-being.
What to expect in a brainspotting session
In brainspotting therapy, your practitioner will use a pointer to slowly direct your vision to certain spots. Throughout this process, they will watch for cues such as eye twitching, pupil dilation, rapid blinking, changes in facial expressions, and body shifting. The pointer will be held in place where your reactions are at their most intense, and you can start accessing the “brainspot.”
While your gaze is focused on the brainspot, the deeper regions of your brain will start to open. Thoughts and emotions will naturally surface, which are likely to prompt physical symptoms within the body. This might put you in a distressing position at first, but with grounding professional support, a healthy amount of curiosity, and a genuine willingness to align with your inner self, you will learn how to freely explore and process what comes up in that moment.
Here at The Dragonfly Nest, your practitioner will provide as much information as possible to promote safety and understanding in session, as coherence between psychoeducation and experiential learning is helpful in enhancing trust, attunement, and effectiveness.
Effectiveness of brainspotting
Successful outcomes from the brainspotting method are profoundly diverse. Some report experiencing immediate relief as they are able to release burdens they were unknowingly carrying. Others walk away feeling more anchored after gaining a new perspective. Sessions may end with strong outbursts of emotions, quiet breakthroughs, or measured steps toward progress. This technique embraces uncertainty and relies on intuition, so both the process and the results will look different for each person.
Is Brainspotting Right for You?
Brainspotting can be an extremely valuable tool for a variety of issues—processing trauma, enhancing and expanding performance (athletics, art, music, and other “soul” passions), decreasing chronic pain and inflammation, decreasing cravings and other forms of anxiety, and supporting other forms of therapy in session such as parts work, mindfulness work, or somatic work.
First-time therapy seekers who want to ease into the process of self-discovery and healing may find it more conducive because it is generally less intensive and does not require reliving or articulating traumatic moments. The deeper mind work involved allows access beyond what traditional types of therapy can address, so brainspotting can also benefit those seeking to augment their regimen or those who feel “stuck” in their current journey.
Your Dragonfly Nest practitioner will work with your unique nervous system to promote healing with sacred integrity.
Interested in brainspotting, EDMR, and other types of holistic trauma therapy and wellness? Our Dragonfly Nest care team will be happy to hold your hand through this process. Schedule a complimentary consultation here.
