You may have heard the term brainspotting and might be wondering, what is brainspotting? And is brainspotting something that will help me?
Brainspotting has been around since 2003 and was discovered by David Grand, Ph.D. This type of therapy was created to help individuals work through or process trauma, negative events or emotions, and pain.
How does brainspotting work?
Brainspotting uses a method that works to target trauma or negative experiences stored in the body through the use of eye placement.
Dr. Grand believes that where you look affects how you feel.
What exactly does this mean? Well, it means that brainspotting-trained therapists can help find the “brainspot” that corresponds with a specific trauma, negative event, and pain. This brainspot – or eye position – allows the therapists to work with clients to access emotions on a deeper level, thus allowing the client to process the event.
This form of treatment also allows the therapist increased flexibility to meet the client’s individual needs. Brainspotting can access deep, hidden events that might be affecting someone’s day-to-day life.
Brainspotting vs. other therapy options
You might be wondering how does brainspotting compare to other therapy options? Talk therapy is probably the most well-known therapy method. This type of therapy is when a client sits down and talks to a therapist and is given coping strategies and insights to help them understand certain feelings and behaviors. While this is still an excellent option for many people, brainspotting is a newer technique that can help therapists target specific events and help a client work through those situations.
Brainspotting is probably most similar to EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). EMDR is a form of psychotherapy that uses side-to-side rapid eye movement or hand tapping to help heal from emotional and disturbing life experiences.
Brainspotting is a brain-based therapy technique and is an effective way to help individuals process events. Moreover, it can lead to a remarkable breakthrough, especially when other methods such as talk therapy are no longer working or taking too long for breakthroughs.
Who can benefit from brainspotting?
Just about everyone can benefit from brainspotting.
This type of therapy is perfect for people who struggle with being overwhelmed. Since there is good flexibility in this treatment option, therapists can work with each individual and move forward at the pace they feel comfortable with.
Brainspotting is also great for people nervous about talking to a therapist since it doesn’t require as much talk as other forms of therapy.
Brainspotting can help people who are looking for help processing:
- Trauma
- Anxiety
- Anger
- Substance abuse
- Chronic pain
- Sports performance issues
- and so many more!
If you are interested in learning more about brainspotting and the best therapy method for you, reach out to Doctors Park Mental Health Center today. Our therapists are trained in brainspotting and would love to help you reconnect with yourself.