Brainspotting

Brainspotting can be used to treat complex trauma, PTSD, developmental trauma. It can be used for anxiety, depression, injury recovery, stress, performance, self-sabotage and managing unhealthy behaviour patterns, low motivation and inattention.

Dr David Grand developed Brainspotting used in the treatment of trauma and other psychological issues. It is based on the idea that our eyes tend to focus on a specific ‘spot’ when we experience different traumas or experiences. These unique eye positions are called ‘brainspots.’ For example, try to describe your favourite pet to a friend. Notice where your eyes tend to focus when you are describing your dog. You are accessing a brainspot that correlates with the memory you have of your favourite dog. In the same way your eyes focus in a certain direction when you work on emotional issues or traumas. 

Key features include:

Focussed attention

When you choose to work on a specific problem or trauma, the therapist will help you identify that unique eye position (brainspot) that correlates with the issue you want to address. This focussed attention helps to access deeper regions of the brain where trauma and strong emotions are usually seated.

Bilateral stimulation

The therapist helps you to maintain your gaze on the identified eye position by use of a pointer for you to focus on. At the same time we may use a special kind of music that sounds like a unique kind of stereo. This activates both brain hemispheres into helping you resolve the issue you are working on.

Mind-body process

Your brain then sets in motion a spontaneous mind-body process (neuro-physiological process), that helps process the traumatic images, feelings and body sensations left by the trauma. The process often involves paying attention to images, feelings, and body sensations that are still associated with the traumatic incident.

Disconnecting from trauma

Imagine your brain is like a train with two cars – one represents a traumatic memory or distressing emotion, and the other represents ow you feel about it right now.

Disconnnecting in Brainspotting is like separating these two train cars. It is helping your brain disconnect the strong emotional reaction from the memory or traumatic experience. So, you are not stuck in feeling overwhelmed or distressed every time you think about that memory. It is like letting the train cars go their separate ways so that the past does not have a much power over your present emotions.

Brainspotting aims to disconnect or uncouple the neurological connections between trauma and the distressing emotions or symptoms associated with it. The process aims to promote healing and resolution.

You do not have to share the gory details

What makes Brainspotting unique is that you as the client can decide to share verbally what you experienced, or you may choose to work in silence. Many clients find this attractive because they can work through horrific or humiliating memories without having to share the detail with the therapist. Talking or no talking, you decide what works best for you.

Working on different traumas at the same time

Brainspotting is unique in that your brain may work on different traumatic incidents at the same time. It is like your brain is taking a scenic route instead of a straight highway.

Normally, when we think about something, it is like driving straight from Point A to Point B. But with brainspotting, you brain can explore side roads and detours. It means your thoughts and feelings do not have to follow a straight line. You might go back and forth, revisit different situations or experiences, and make unexpected connections between different events. It is a bit like taking a more flexible and creative mental journey. This approach can be helpful, especially when dealing with complex emotions or memories.

Brainspotting is still a relatively new psychotherapeutic process and there are currently lots of research being done to try and explain its effectiveness. This is exiting as psychologists, eye specialists, neurologists and many other health professionals are engaging in research to explain and develop this unique way of working.

Read more about brainspotting here: https://www.verywellmind.com/brainspotting-therapy-definition-techniques-and-efficacy-5213947