Jessie DesRoches, M.A. Counselling Psychology
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Registered Counselling Therapist Candidate (RCT-C) | EMDR Trained
Brainspotting is a relatively new approach to psychotherapy, developed by David Grand in 2003. This approach recognizes the deep connection between body and brain in trauma recovery. It goes beyond symptoms relief and focuses on deep nervous system healing. If you are searching for a different way to process trauma, or striving for personal growth, this approach may be beneficial for you!
Brainspotting is grounded in the idea that where you look affects how you feel or how activated you are. These eye positions are referred to as “Brainspots.” A Brainspot is an eye position that correlates with where traumatic memories or unprocessed experiences are stored in the brain and body. This approach uses this concept to process and resolve those deep-rooted issues.
By identifying Brainspots and holding attention to them while recognizing internal experiences, the brain accesses and processes unresolved experiences. This often goes far deeper than talk therapy alone will allow. Brainspotting can help to reduce symptoms of trauma, anxiety, and depression while also helping enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and performance. This approach allows us to bypass cognitive defenses and reach deeper areas of the brain where substantial changes can occur.
During a Brainspotting session, you will identify the symptom or memory you would like to work with. Then, with the help of your therapist, the Brainspot will be identified. You will sustain attention to that spot, which will act as a gateway into deeper brain regions, especially the subcortical brain. This is the region of the brain where trauma, emotions, and survival responses are stored. Through this process, your therapist will stay attuned with you, as you lead the way on your own healing journey.
Although both approaches are trauma focused and work with the brain-body connection while facilitating healing, they are not the same. Brainspotting does not use bilateral stimulation or eye movements, instead it focuses on a single Brainspot in the field of vision.
Brainspotting does not follow a highly structured protocol like EMDR. Instead, it is more flexible, and client led. The issue being addressed can change as often as you would like. Therefore, once you start to work with one memory, you are free to decide whether to continue with that or focus on a different memory or issue in the following session.
In an EMDR session, the role of the therapist is to facilitate the structured process. Whereas, in a Brainspotting session the therapist’s role is to be attuned, while holding space for your inner healing to unfold at its own pace.
Brainspotting is thought to be a gentler approach. In my experience as both an EMDR and Brainspotting therapist, my clients tend to feel more in control over their experience, less overwhelmed, and generally calmer in a Brainspotting session. If you have tried EMDR, (while stable and well resourced) and found it to be too overwhelming, Brainspotting may be a good alternative for you.
This approach can be beneficial for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Brainspotting is used to treat trauma, recurring nightmares, chronic stress, illness, and pain. It may also be beneficial for those looking to enhance creativity or performance. If you have tried other modalities of therapy and are feeling stuck, this may be a good option for continuing your healing journey.
If you are wondering if Brainspotting may be a good fit for you, reach out to us at Wholetherapy and book a free 15-minute consultation with one of our trained practitioners.