BRAINSPOTTING THERAPY

Understanding Brainspotting:
A Unique Approach to Therapy and Healing

Brainspotting (BSP) is a transformative therapy treatment, that focuses on identifying, processing, and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional or body pain, trauma, dissociation, and a variety of challenging symptoms. In other words it processes and releases at the root or core of the nervous system.

Brainspotting is different from other psychotherapies and healing modalities in a variety of ways. It strategically utilises enhanced relational attunement and the client’s visual field to access their brain’s self-scanning and self-healing capabilities.

What can Brainspotting treat?

Brainspotting can be effective in treating a whole range of psychological and emotional issues.
While individual experiences may vary, Brainspotting has shown to be effective with the following concerns:
Trauma:
Brainspotting is particularly good for trauma processing and healing. It can help individuals process and release the emotional impact of various types of trauma, such as childhood abuse, accidents, natural disasters, or combat-related experiences.
Anxiety and Phobias:
Brainspotting can help in alleviating anxiety disorders, including generalised anxiety disorder, social anxiety, panic disorder, and specific phobias. It helps individuals identify and process the underlying fears and triggers fueling their anxiety.
Depression:
Brainspotting can be beneficial for individuals with depression by helping the release of the underlying emotional pain and promoting a sense of emotional resilience and empowerment.
Addiction and Substance Abuse:
Brainspotting can complement addiction treatment by addressing the underlying emotional issues and trauma that maybe contributing to the addictive behaviours. It aids in calming cravings, reducing triggers, and supporting relapse prevention.
Performance Anxiety:
Brainspotting can help individuals overcome performance anxiety in various domains, such as sports, public speaking, artistic performances, or academic pursuits. It helps in accessing and processing the underlying fears and self-limiting beliefs that are blocking their performance.
ADD/ADHD:
Brainspotting works deep in the subcortex (mid-brain) which interacts with the central nervous system. Through this access point, the client can work into the deeper causes that influence their impulsivity, inattention or hyperactivity.
Grief and Loss:
Brainspotting can support individuals in navigating the grieving process and healing from the emotional pain associated with grief and loss. It allows for the release of the suppressed emotions and helps allow the integration of the loss into one’s life.
Self-Esteem and Personal Growth:
Brainspotting can promote personal growth and enhance self-esteem by helping individuals uncover and process self-limiting beliefs, past traumas, and emotional blocks that hinder their development and self-worth.
Stress Management:
Brainspotting techniques can be effective in managing stress and promoting relaxation. It helps individuals identify and process the underlying sources of stress and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

It’s important to note that while Brainspotting has shown promising results for these issues, each individual’s response will vary.
It is recommended to consult with a trained Brainspotting therapist to determine if it is the appropriate approach for your specific needs and circumstances.
References: BSP UK

How is Brainspotting different to EMDR?

EMDR has been a huge development in making psychotherapy more effective and powerful.
David Grand, founder of Brainspotting was using a form of EMDR when he discovered Brainspotting. EMDR brings more focus onto the client’s physiological state as a gateway into the emotional world.
Brainspotting then builds on this to deeper levels, while EMDR uses a moving eye postition Brainspotting uses still or fixed eye positions that access specific neural networks and pathways with a more focused accuracy than EMDR which can then process towards deep healing at nervous system level.

How is Brainspotting different to talk therapy?

Brainspotting still includes some talking between the therapist and the client. However, the emphasis on Brainspotting processing goes beyond the logical brain which is used in talk therapy and speaking and into the deep mid brain where our emotions are. This part of the brain is more central in processing our deep emotional worlds and working here can really access areas which bring about deep healing.
In Brainspotting you have a deep and profound relationship with your therapist, so whatever you may need they are right there with you all along.

Brainspotting and Tara Gallagher