Where you look affects how you feel.
Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful brain-body treatment technique developed by David Grand PhD in 2003 that works by accessing the deep brain (autonomic and limbic systems), identifying, processing and releasing emotional and physical stress and trauma.
What can Brainspotting help with?
Anxiety (Generalized and situational)
Depression
Blocks to healing
Support in burnout recovery
Changing unwanted behaviours (emotional eating, procrastination, etc)
Phobias
Performance anxiety
Obstacles to growth and productivity (personal and professional)
Expand creativity, current skills, performance
Create new desired mindsets and states of being
How does it work?
Brainspotting is a therapeutic process that uses specific points in the visual field to access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. It uses relevant eye positions, body (somatic) awareness, focused mindfulness and the therapist’s attunement to process and release stored traumas which underlie a wide range of emotional and physical problems It is a brain-body based approach which integrates well with Naturopathic Medicine and other types of approaches to healing. To learn more about what to expect in a Brainspotting session, check out this link.
Brainspotting is often used in conjunction with bilateral sound - music or nature sounds, which move back and forth between right and left ears, balancing activation of the right and left brain and activating the parasympathetic (calming/rest and digest) nervous system.
Brainspotting was developed in 2003 by Dr David Grand, an EMDR therapist and relational analyst There are now over 13,000 Brainspotting therapists trained over six continents, with about 52 trainers worldwide.
The therapy uses the brain and body’s natural ability to self-scan and to self-heal, or move back to a state of balance or homeostasis. What a brainspot is activated, the deep brain reflexively signals the therapist that a neural network holding unprocessed trauma has been found. The trauma can then be processed while connection to either a distressed or calm area in the body. It allows the individual to quickly move through processing of the trauma in a supported way. Because the processing occurs mostly in the subcortical brain (outside of the thinking brain), most processing happens without talking. It is common for individuals to experience rapid relief of distress, notice significant shifts and gain profound insight using Brainspotting.
(information from www.brainspotting.com)
How long does it take to see results?
It can take 3 to 6 sessions to work through a specific issue or achieve a specific goal, depending on the issue or goal. Some people will notice an immediate shift, while for others it’s like peeling an onion and we go layer by layer and more sessions will be needed for deeper healing. If there are several goals or issues, more sessions are usually needed.
A session lasts from 45 to 90 minutes.
More resources on brainspotting
Who does brainspotting work with?
Note: I am not qualified as a therapist. If you have complex trauma or PTSD, I may suggest that you reach out to a psychologist or therapist for more support.