Brainspotting is a relatively new but rapidly growing modality in the realm of therapeutic practices. In this article, Billie shares her decade of experience as a therapist and introduces us to Brainspotting, a therapeutic modality derived from EMDR.
We’re diving into the origins and mechanisms of Brainspotting: highlighting its focus on allowing clients to process trauma by fixing their gaze on specific spots and the science behind it. This blog also discusses the application of Brainspotting, including self-spotting, and its unique benefits for therapists who often juggle multiple stressors.
The Basics of Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a powerful treatment method developed by Dr. David Grand that helps people access, process, and overcome trauma, negative emotions, and various psychological and physical concerns. Billie explains the origins of Brainspotting:
Billie shares: “Brainspotting was really born out of EMDR. Dr. David Grand discovered Brainspotting during his work as an EMDR therapist… Last fall, I did a talk at a conference here in Oklahoma, where I had a room full of therapists, and I asked who was familiar with this modality. And only three or four people in that room had heard of it. And so, it really is coming on the scene, but it’s coming fast.”
Unlike EMDR, which involves moving the eyes back and forth to process trauma, Brainspotting focuses on finding a single spot where the client feels a strong emotional or physical response and staying there.
Brainspotting is great for anyone struggling with trauma, anxiety, or depression. It’s particularly helpful for people with PTSD or complex trauma, but it can also tackle things like performance anxiety and unresolved conflicts. Basically, it taps into the brain’s natural healing abilities to help you work through tough stuff and find relief.
The Science Behind Brainspotting
The science behind Brainspotting lies in the deep connection between eye position and brain function. Billie elaborates, “Our eyes are essentially just a part of our brain, made of neural cells. They are one of the first organs to develop in utero and come from brain cells… There are six major muscles that are connected to our eyes, and those muscles are connected to all of the pathways of the brain.”
The principle is that by holding the eye gaze at a specific spot, clients can unlock and process deeply held trauma and emotions. This approach differs from traditional talk therapy by integrating the body and mind more holistically.
During a Brainspotting session, a specific eye position, or “brainspot,” is identified—this spot is where the client’s brain holds onto traumatic memories or intense emotions. By maintaining focus on this spot, the therapy leverages the strong neural connections between the eyes and the brain. Additionally, Brainspotting often uses bilateral sound, which mimics the natural processing pathways of REM sleep, to help both hemispheres of the brain work together in processing the trauma. This dual activation facilitates the deep processing and integration of traumatic memories and emotions, offering a more holistic healing approach compared to traditional talk therapy.
Brainspotting in Practice
Billie provides insight into how Brainspotting works in practice:
“It’s going to be a different spot for everybody and even with each person there are going to be different spots, depending on a lot of factors: the different experiences, different emotions, or just different things that we’re working through.”
To find these spots, therapists use their attunement to observe their client’s reflexes, energy shifts, and bodily sensations. The client is then guided to focus on these spots while noticing and verbalizing their emotions and sensations.
The Therapeutic Journey with Brainspotting
During the podcast interview, Billie emphasized the flexibility and personal nature of Brainspotting: “Brainspotting leaves a lot of room for whatever is needed in that moment, which is a little bit different than EMDR… The big phrase that we use in Brainspotting is ‘follow the tail of the comet.’ Follow whatever’s coming up in the room, and that’s where we go.”
This approach allows sessions to be tailored to each individual’s needs, making the process both unique and effective. Billie explains that the emotional intensity of different “spots” can guide the therapy, whether towards grounding or processing through heightened anxiety.
Self-Spotting: Empowering Therapists
An intriguing aspect of Brainspotting is its applicability to use on your self. Billie describes self-spotting as a valuable tool for therapists:
“This has been one of the things that has been most helpful for me in my own processing and my self-care… Typically you’ll use bilateral sound… You can find bilateral sound if you search on Spotify, Apple Music, there’s YouTube videos.”
By finding their own Brainspot and using bilateral sound, therapists can work through any leftover stress or emotional baggage from their sessions. This helps them feel better and be even more effective in their work (because we know this can be really hard work!).
How to Find a Brainspotting Therapist
At Ellie, we make it easy to find the right therapist for you. You can search providers on our website, fill out a contact form, or give us a call. When you’re scheduling your first appointment, be sure to let the client access specialist know that you are looking for a Brainspotting-trained therapist. They’ll confirm the therapist has availability and takes your insurance.
Ready to begin with a Brainspotting-trained therapist? Click the link below to get started.
Another way to find a therapist trained in this modality is by going through the Brainspotting directory. You’ll be able to filter therapists by state and level of training.
Healing from Toxic Work Environments
In this podcast episode, we spent a lot of time talking about how Brainspotting can help therapists deal with the stress from toxic workplaces. Billie opened up about her own experiences in tough work environments, how they really took a toll on her, and how she used Brainspotting to reconnect with herself and set better boundaries.
If you’re dealing with a toxic work environment but not quite ready for Brainspotting, check out our blog post about setting professional boundaries here.
Action Steps for Incorporating Brainspotting into Sessions (for Therapists)
1. Educate Yourself: Start by reading Dr. David Grand’s book “Brainspotting,” which provides a comprehensive overview and practical tools that you can start using immediately with your clients.
2. Attend Trainings: While the book provides a solid foundation, attending official Brainspotting trainings can deepen your understanding and skills. (I just signed up to be trained through brainspotting.com—the website recommended by Billie!)
3. Try Self-Spotting: Begin practicing self-spotting to manage your stress and emotional health. Use bilateral sound and find your Brainspot to process daily stressors and residual work-related trauma.
4. Introduce it to Clients: Gradually incorporate Brainspotting techniques into your practice, observing how your clients respond and adapting as necessary.
5. Network and Support: It can be SO helpful to join consultation groups to talk and learn from other practitioners, especially when you’re just starting out.
In Closing
Brainspotting is a versatile and accessible modality that offers profound benefits for therapists and clients alike. Whether dealing with trauma, stress, or the residuals of a toxic work environment, this practice provides actionable tools for effective emotional and psychological healing. We hope this exploration inspires you to consider integrating Brainspotting into your practice, benefiting both you and your clients on the journey to wellness.
For more resources and in-depth discussions, don’t forget to check out our full podcast episode with Billie Ferguson, LMFT.
