Unlock Your Healing
What is Brainspotting (BSP)?
Brainspotting is a brain-based, bottom-up approach developed by Dr. David Grand. It helps clients access and naturally heal unprocessed trauma located in the deeper areas of the brain.
BSP works by choosing something to work on and then finding a correlating spot in your visual field to focus on. Focusing on this “brainspot” allows the body to use its innate ability to heal. BSP allows clients to process more deeply than traditional talk therapy. BSP can help with:
Trauma, Anxiety & Depression
Addictions or compulsive behaviors
Physical Pain
Performance Blocks (sports, the arts, or work)
General Stress and Overwhelm
History of Brainspotting
Dr. David Grand was a therapist who was known for combining EMDR with Somatic Experiencing. In 2003, he was working with a 16-year-old professional ice skater who couldn’t master a specific jump (the triple loop). David asked her to bring up the moment where the movement stopped working and then began doing EMDR.
As he was moving his hand past her face (for the eye movements), he noticed her eyes suddenly wobbled and then were hyper-focused on him. Instead of continuing the eye movements, he felt his hand locked in place. As she focused on his fixed hand, a flood of images and sensations came up and were immediately processed.
What was most striking was that despite being in weekly 90-minute EMDR sessions for over a year, some traumas they thought had already been processed resurfaced, while others, like her abandonment by her mother and sports injuries, had never even been discovered.
After 10 minutes, everything calmed down. The next day, the client called Dr. Grand to let him know that she was able to complete the triple loop.
Dr. Grand then began to experiment with this process with other clients and discovered specific “spots” where layers of pain could be healed.
What to Expect in a BSP Session?
Choosing the Issue — we’ll start by talking about what you want to work on or explore. We’ll decide if we want to use the Resource or Activation Model.
Finding the Brainspot — I’ll then guide you to slowly follow my telescopic pointer across your field of vision. We’ll find a spot where you feel peaceful and calm (resource model) or a spot you feel activated and want to process some truama.
Focusing — you’ll simply maintain your gaze on this spot we’ve found. You might notice images, sensations, emotions, or shifts in your body. Members spontaneously process without any effort. You may want to talk about what you’re experiencing or simply be silent. Note: there’s no need to share what’s happening if you do not wish to.
Resource Model: after session, you feel more calm and connected to yourself.
Activation Model: after session, you may notice a temporary increase in symptoms or delayed effect.s
Science of Brainspotting
Brainspotting was found to be the most effective modality for relieving trauma for students at the mass shooting at Sandy Hook (Link).
According to research by Dr. Frank Corrigan (2013):
“Brainspots” are simply specific points in the visual fields that correspond to areas of unresolved trauma in the deeper, subcortical regions of the brain.
Focusing on a spot engages the midbrain including the superior colliculi and periaqueductal gray (PAG). These are responsible for detecting and responding to environmental stimuli (threats) as well as regulating emotions and the autonomic nervous system. Focusing integrates sensory, emotional, and bodily responses previously unlinked.
Why Try Brainspotting?
No Effort Needed — the only “technique” is finding the right spot and focusing on it.
Efficiency — BSP tends to be faster and leads to deeper results.
Talking is Optional — clients do not need to talk about the trauma to process it.
Dr. David Grand