What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique that was developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. Grand discovered brainspotting during an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) session with a 16-year-old figure skater who couldn’t master the triple loop. As he noticed her eyes wobble and froze while tracking his finger crossing her visual field, he instinctively held her gaze at that point. This resulted in intense processing of her past traumatic events and a flawless triple loop for the first time the very next day. Astonished, Grand began to explore this phenomenon further and developed Brainspotting as a way to harness the brain's natural capacity for healing.

How Does It Work?

In Brainspotting, we identify "Brainspots" in a person's visual field where they experience heightened emotional activation or tension while discussing particular issues or traumatic events.  These brainspots are believed to correlate with the activation of specific neural networks and emotional centers in the brain, including those in the limbic system (a complex set of brain structures that are key in processing memory and emotional regulation). 

Once a brainspot is identified, you'll focus your attention on it while maintaining awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. The therapist will encourage you to stay present and observe whatever comes up without judgment.

Through this process, the brain's innate capacity for healing and self-regulation is activated, enabling the release and reprocessing of stored trauma. 

You may start to experience shifts in your thoughts, emotions, or physical sensations. It's also common for deep emotions or memories to surface during this phase. It can be a time of silence in which the client does not or rarely speaks or you may prefer to speak the whole time. 

Many individuals have found relief from emotional pain, reduced anxiety, and a deeper sense of well-being through this process. While each person's experience is unique, Brainspotting offers an opportunity to explore and heal in a way that honors your individual journey.

Brainspotting Techniques

Some techniques that therapists may use during a brainspotting session include:

Biolateral Sounds

Biolateral sounds involve alternating auditory stimulation between the left and right ears, promoting relaxation and safety. This dual attention aids in deeper emotional processing and integration of unresolved experiences.

Eye Isolation

Eye isolation can benefit clients who exhibit limited responsiveness or who are feeling overwhelmed during brainspotting sessions. There is naturally one eye that is more responsive to brainspotting for each person. Covering either the more or less activated eye can either calm things down or help access more sensations according to what is helpful to the client at that point.

Resource Spot

In Brainspotting therapy, a "resource spot" refers to a specific eye position or point in the client's visual field where they experience feelings of safety, comfort, strength, or positivity. Resource spots are used to help clients access and strengthen their internal resources and resilience during the therapeutic process. 

Pointers for Focusing 

Simply put, a therapist can use a pointer as a visual aid to help guide the client’s eyes and identify brainspots.

More About Brainspotting

Helpful resources to learn more about Brainspotting:

https://brainspotting.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcqvyDfpxfM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiPzm9VAGh0&t=111s

Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change by David Grand, PhD