What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is another evidence-based and powerful tool to desensitize and reprocess past trauma and painful events. It works by focusing attention on certain areas in the visual field (brainspots) that are linked to powerful sources of emotion and remembering while also listening to biolateral music/sounds. The therapist uses a pointer to help client’s hold their gaze on their brainspot, and remains emotionally attuned and focused on the client’s experience as he or she processes. Brainspotting is a way to neurobiologically locate, focus, process, and release experiences and symptoms that are typically out of reach of the conscious mind and its cognitive and language capacity. It is another “bottom up” approach to processing.
How is Brainspotting Different from Other Types of Therapies?
Brainspotting requires very little talking from the therapist. The therapist is there to be attuned, emotionally and physically, with the client as he or she processes. This can be a very useful tool when clients report there is not a strong connection to words or language with their trauma or painful life event. The lack of talking is also helpful for clients who have a great deal of shame associated with their experiences, about which they would not feel comfortable sharing.3
