What Is Brainspotting Therapy? Three Reasons Why You Should Consider Trying It

Brainspotting therapy, based on the popular book “Brainspotting” by David Grand, is generally a process to help people overcome serious negative events. It can be a useful tool to heal the emotional and physical trauma left behind. It is often used in one-on-one therapy sessions, but it can be beneficial to relationships in a few ways; it can promote forgiveness, openness, and joy toward others. Although BSP is generally still considered a new form of treatment that may need more research, it may be helpful for a variety of mental health concerns. To connect with a mental health professional who offers brainspotting or other forms of therapy, you can join an online therapy platform or seek out a therapist in your local area.

Where did BSP come from?

Brainspotting therapy, or BSP, was discovered in 2003 by David Grand, Ph.D. He previously used somatic experiencing (SE) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EDMR) to help his clients. He combined these two types of therapy to create Natural Flow EDMR.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing involves introducing a trackable object into a person’s visual field. As the person updates their eye position to follow the object, their eye movement inhibits challenging emotions that may interfere with therapy. This “eye movement desensitization” is the first essential element of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. The second is the reprocessing element of “desensitization and reprocessing,” wherein a therapist takes advantage of the client’s limited emotional sensitivity to help them make meaningful changes.

Natural Flow EDMR evolved when Dr. Grand discovered that focusing on a specific spot with a client’s vision often helped clients improve even faster. From there, he designed a training program for brainspotting therapy (BSP). There may now be over 8,000 certified brainspotting therapists in the growing field of BSP.

What is brainspotting therapy?

Where you look can affect how you feel. This idea is considered to be where the term “brain spot” comes from.

Traumatic memories and situations may be activated by looking in the same direction that you were at the time of the incident. For example, someone who has been in a car accident could have a brain spot that corresponds to where they were looking when the crash occurred. If the car swerved into them from the left side, then looking to the left could activate the brain.

Even if you don’t have a specific memory or traumatic event, the process of brainspotting can pinpoint sensitive places in your field of vision. 

The premise is generally that when we cannot cope with emotions like grief, shame, guilt, or anger, they can be stored in our bodies and brains. This may lead to physical problems like higher stress, low immunity, depression, and anxiety. BSP may help release those stored emotions so that healing can occur.

The BSP techniques usually stimulate the parts of the brain in charge of memory, emotion, and body sensation. This stimulation can reframe and process traumatic events.

Processing grief and pain can be taxing. BSP has created a way for processing to occur that often takes less time and energy. David Grand used this process to help 9/11 survivors, and BSP has since been used to treat stress disorders, sexual abuse*, and more.

Who does BSP work for? 

The techniques used in brainspotting work as an effective treatment for several conditions. It was first tested to treat trauma, with positive results. It has since been used to treat other problems but is still considered a new form of treatment. More research may be needed to see whether brain spotting may be best for specific types of ailments or can be used broadly. So far, it has been used to treat both physical and emotional challenges.

What is a brainspotting session like?

With BSP, a therapist can personalize the experience to you. David Grand is generally meant for BSP to aid the therapy relationship. Some parts of the process can be flexible, while others are typically standard in every session. The main aspect that is in every session is normally to find the brain spots.

Together, the therapist and client may choose a situation to focus on. The therapist might ask what emotions come up or where the client feels the tension in their body when they think about the situation. This can prepare the client to find the brain spot by making the topic fresh in their mind.

You find a brain spot by moving a pointer across the client’s field of vision. The client may follow the pointer with their eyes. The therapist may either find the brain spot by allowing the client to say when they feel the most tension or by watching the client’s face. They might twitch, move, or change facial expressions involuntarily.

Then, the client may focus on the spot for an extended period. Some therapists may also weave in other techniques, like BiLateral sounds. In a session with BiLateral sounds, the client usually wears headphones and listens to a tape where the sounds move from one ear to another.  This movement of sound can aid in healing by working with the pointer to trigger an emotional response. 

Most sessions are quiet, but a therapist can check in with a client during the process, or a client can talk about what they’re experiencing. The only rule is usually to stay focused on the spot throughout the process. It can be done with eyes opened or closed, as long as the eyes remain in the same position.

Three benefits of brainspotting therapy for relationships

Even though brain spotting therapy is often done in one-on-one therapy sessions, some therapists are moving it into the realm of couple’s therapy. BSP in couple’s therapy has not been well tested yet, but it can be an option. There may also be three reasons it can help your relationship, even if you are doing BSP in a one-on-one session with your therapist.

1. Forgiveness 

Forgiveness is often essential for healing, but sometimes it is not that simple. Certain people and events can be surrounded by mountains of grief, anger, or resentment. Brainspotting can alleviate the weight of those feelings, so you have the opportunity to change the patterns.

There can be tough situations where grief can seem impossible to get through, but forgiveness can be highly beneficial for your health and well-being. Holding a grudge does not necessarily hurt the other person, but it can hurt you. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean you have to let abusive people back into your life.

Instead, forgiveness can be a tool for self-healing. By letting them off the hook, you can let yourself off the hook too. Once you can let go of those hurt feelings, you can move on and forward with your life. Harboring negative feelings may only hurt you in the long run.

2. Openness

We all tend to grieve and cope a little differently, and we are often taught not to cry, to be strong, and not to show our vulnerability. Hiding our true selves to look like we have it all figured out can hurt us and the people closest to us.

You may not have to depend on yourself alone; you can lean on the people around you. Allowing them to nurture you can strengthen your bond. You may feel more comfortable, and they may feel valued. It can be okay to admit you need support sometimes. 

Brainspotting therapy can make this easier because it can help you work through the big, heavy emotions that make you feel stuck. When overwhelming, suppressed emotions are gone, it can be easier to connect and open up. Processing tough emotions can relieve pressure.

You might think back to a time when you felt connected to someone. Were you both listening closely? Did it feel like they understood you on a deeper level than before? Being open often brings us closer together.

3. Joy

Have you ever noticed that when you smile, the people around you can’t help but smile, too? If you’re feeling bogged down by past events, the people around you are likely to notice. If they’re empathetic, they may feel weighed down by it, too.

Working through your feelings with BSP can contribute to greater happiness for yourself and others around you. Even if you only feel a tiny bit better, it may lift everyone around you.

Brainspotting therapy has gained popularity in a short amount of time because it often makes a big impact in a few sessions. BSP can be a way to work through your challenges and difficult emotions in a safe environment.

It can be simple to find a therapist

If looking for a local brainspotting practitioner seems challenging and stressful, a potential solution may be to join an online therapy platform. Often, matching with a suitable mental health professional can be as simple as completing a brief questionnaire about your preferences and needs. You may be able to connect with someone who is trained in brain-spotting therapy or any other type of therapy you’re interested in.

According to this study, there is generally no measurable difference between the outcomes of online therapy and in-office therapy; their efficacy seems to be largely the same, potentially making either option a valid one for those seeking the help they deserve from licensed mental health professionals.