Part 1: What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a revolutionary form of psychotherapy developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003 after observing a connection between the position of a person’s eyes and activity in the deeper regions of their brain. Both a powerful diagnostic tool and treatment, Brainspotting is useful as a method of helping people connect with, process, and release their traumas, stuck patterns and emotions, by paying careful attention to the sensations in their bodies.
Once the areas of the brain impacted by trauma are identified, Brainspotting can be used to activate the body’s ability to self-regulate and heal.
What Are Brainspots?
During a traumatic or overwhelming experience, whether physical or emotional, our bodies undergo a physiological response. As our heart rate increases, oxygen is redirected to our muscles, and stress hormones like cortisol flood our bodies. This process impacts how memories are formed and stored in the brain. Sometimes, during a traumatic enough experience, or as the result of prolonged exposure to stressful situations, our bodies can ‘lock in’ on that heightened state, making us prone to panic attacks, anxiety, nausea, headaches, or other physical symptoms.
A brainspot refers to an eye position that links to an emotionally traumatic or charged memory within the subcortical region of the brain. Often, these can be found in the amygdala, the hippocampus, or the orbitofrontal cortex—areas of the brain regulating memory, emotion, and impulse control. These parts of the brain are intimately involved with the fight-or-flight and trauma response.
How Does Brainspotting Work?
Brainspotting is performed by a trained therapist as part of therapy. Either by using a pointer to guide the client’s eyes, or by observing the client during conversation about a traumatic event or experience, the therapist looks for cues that indicate the presence of a brainspot. This process is called dual attunement, and cues can range from pupillary dilation to facial tics, body movements, or other irregularity in eye movements or position.
Once a brainspot is located, the therapist focuses on walking their client through processing the physical sensations, emotions, and memories invoked while holding a fixed eye position. By accessing these traumatic emotions and memories in a safe environment, impacted areas of the brain can relax and begin the process of self-healing and re-integration. A crucial part of this process is developing a warm, nurturing relationship between the client and the therapist.
Bilateral Sound
Sometimes, in addition to supporting fixed eye positions, therapists will use Bilateral Sound to stimulate brain activity. A sound recording plays, fluctuating back and forth in a rhythmic fashion across the field of a stereo. This process can improve the integration processes.
What is Brainspotting Effective Treatment for?
In addition to treating trauma or PTSD, Brainspotting is also effective for treating a number of other conditions, such as:
Anxiety
ADHD
Depression
Fatigue
Phobias & Fears
Chronic Pain
Insecurity
Irritability \ Anger
Brainspotting treatments are also used to enhance creativity and reduce job or work-related stress.
Brainspotting in Therapy
It is important to note that Brainspotting exists as a tool used in therapy to promote the healing process. The therapist serves as a guide, engaged in active listening and observation. The individual pays careful attention to their body’s physiological processes as they attempt to access traumatic or troubling memories. In a typical Brainspotting session, the first order of business is identifying an issue they would like support with and identifying an associated brain spot. In Gazespotting (one form of Brainspotting), this is the area where their eyes naturally drift when engaging those memories. Once the brain spot has been identified, a qualified therapist can assist in accessing and releasing the trauma stored in that part of the brain.
This process allows the individual to approach and support their trauma without needing to relive it.
Learn More
Check back here soon for Part 2 of this post. If you’re interested in learning more about Brainspotting, I would love to set up a consultation to explore how it may be useful for you!