Brainspotting

“Where you look affects how you feel.”
A powerful, focused mindfulness, body-brain treatment approach that harnesses the body’s ability to heal itself.  

What is Brainspotting (BSP)?

Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful, focused treatment method that easily integrates into individual and couples therapy.  At its core, BSP draws upon both the neurobiological attunement and the therapist’s deep relational attunement to the client. The two attunements work together to create a powerful framework that enhances healing. 

Past traumatic experiences can overwhelm one’s nervous system.  BSP allows us to gain access to the subcortical brain (where deep memories and emotions lie). By accessing, processing and releasing Brainspots, we can relieve and heal sources of pain/trauma. 

BSP was was developed by David Grand, Ph.D. in 2003.

 
What is a brainspot? 

A Brainspot is a relevant eye position. This can be chosen by either the client or the psychotherapist. Often, the individual will find a Brainspot by noticing an increase of emotions or body sensations in a particular visual location. The therapist may also find Brainspots by observing reflexive responses in the client. A Brainspot gives access to the emotionally charged issue in the brain. It’s a bottom up approach, rather than trying to solve a problem from the top down by trying to use the (neocortical) conscious “thinking” brain. While the client is processing on the spot for a prolonged period of time, we find that the experience moves in a direction of discharge, healing, and change. Brainspotting makes use of  bilateral stimulation. This involves listening to soothing background music and/or nature sounds which move from ear to ear. Bilateral stimulation is known to increase effectiveness. 

In short, “Where you look affects how you feel.” 

How does Brainspotting help?
BSP is a way to work on trauma or painful emotions in a safe environment. It can also be used to find and strengthen resources and resiliency and to enhance positive feelings and performance. A lot of times, we can get stuck in  emotional responses and maladaptive patterns of behavior that often seem impossible to change or resolve. Through Brainspotting, individuals tend to escape these stuck patterns. They find relief from painful emotional experiences and repetitive feelings. 
 
What can I expect from a Brainspotting session?  
BSP can be easily integrated and used in individual and couples therapy. Feel free to ask your therapist how this could look and be integrated into your current treatment. BSP sessions can last as long as 90 minutes, but can be effective in shorter sessions as well (depends on amount of time needed for processing and recovery). We encourage you to talk with your therapist to see what the best fit for time would be for you. BSP therapy starts with a general assessment and education then moves into processing. The sessions often end with grounding exercises. 
 
Who can Brainspotting help?
Brainspotting can help and work with a wide range of healing modalities and populations from children to seniors including:
  • emotional distress
  • attention issues
  • stress
  • anxiety
  • trauma
  • creativity
  • performance 
  • sport performance
  • sport injury trauma
  • physical pain
  • sexual trauma
  • injury
  • stroke
  • preparation or recovery from surgery
  • reduce stress around the management of major medical illnesses
  • phobias
  • anger
  • addictive cravings

Want to know more?
Contact us today.
Visit the official brainspotting website.
Watch these videos. 

Request Appointment

Email us
Appointments@mounttaborcounseling.com

Call us
303-422-1567

**If you are interested in counseling services, please specify in your email or phone call your preferred office location, in addition to any other questions or comments. Thank you!

Mount Tabor Counseling is not a crisis-counseling agency, and same-day appointments are not typical. If you need immediate help, please go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.