Brainspotting

Developed in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting is a relatively new form of treatment that has been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, particularly with helping to identify and heal underlying trauma that contributes to anxiety, depression and other behavioral issues. The goal of brainspotting is to bypass conscious thinking to access the deeper, subconscious emotional and body-based parts of the brain to facilitate healing. According to Dr. Grand, “where you look affects how you feel.” With this in mind, therapists using brainspotting techniques help their clients to position their eyes in ways that enable them to target negative emotion. Think this approach may work for you? Contact one of our brainspotting specialists today to try it out.

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Brainspotting is mind/body approach that can help you connect deeply with the root of where issues are stored in your brain, body and nervous system. It helps you clear issues, ranging from difficult trauma to everyday challenges. It is also very helpful in building positives, such as confidence, relaxation optimal performance, etc. Here are links to videos "Who does Brainspotting work with?” https://vimeo.com/187492731 "Brainspotting" https://youtu.be/lm3Plvaf3

— Elinor (Elly) Nygren Szapiro, Licensed Professional Counselor in Northwest, AR

I am a phase I and II trained therapist. Brainspotting is a way to use our eyes to treat trauma memories stored in our brain. Many of these memories may be in the subcortical layers, where we feel it, but may not have words for it. Our eyes can help us to reach these memories, gently, to heal and grow.

— Teresa Petersen, Clinical Social Worker in Houston, TX
 

Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful, focused method for treating trauma and other unresolved psychological issues. This unique approach helps you release the psychological blocks that keep you from being your most connected, creative, actualized self. Brainspotting offers deep neurological healing that talk therapy alone often cannot access. This technique gives us a way to access the subcortical brain, the place where emotional and somatic experiences are kept.

— Noelle Benach, Counselor in Baltimore, MD

One of the newest therapeutic techniques, Brainspotting can help process trauma and other issues using you eyes to focus outwardly while the brain heals inwardly. As a certified Brainspotting practitioner, I will use this technique in areas where words may not bring healing or understanding.

— Karl Thomas, Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern in St. Paul, MN
 

As a Level 1-trained Brainspotting therapist, I specialize in using this powerful tool to help clients process trauma, anxiety, and emotional blocks. Brainspotting allows us to identify and access unprocessed trauma stored in the brain and body, facilitating deep healing. Through focused eye positions, we can target specific brain areas to release stored emotions, creating lasting relief. My approach combines this technique with mindfulness to promote self-awareness and resilience.

— Anne Giles, Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Boulder, CO

I utilize a trauma intervention called brainspotting which allows me to help you release distressing emotions using the position of your eyes. You do not have to talk in order for this intervention to be effective in releasing trauma.

— Zoe Shpiner, Associate Clinical Social Worker in San Diego, CA
 

In a brainspotting session, a trained therapist guides the client's attention to identify brainspots linked to distress or trauma. These brainspots are typically found through eye positions that correspond to emotional and somatic activation. The therapist helps the client maintain focus on the brainspot, exploring associated thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations.

— Safe Space Counseling Services -Alice Zhao, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in , MD

Trained in Brainspotting Levels 1 & 2, working towards certification, I use this powerful modality to support attachment trauma, entrepreneurs and couples. BSP helps lessen the impact of trauma, improves emotional/somatic regulation, and is especially beneficial for neurodivergent individuals. It’s also a game-changer for high-achievers seeking clarity, direction, and personal growth. I integrate it with somatic practices, Parts Work, intuitive approaches, and Gottman Method to help clients heal

— Dawn Leprich-Graves, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Aurora, IL
 

I am trained to apply Brainspotting to a variety of emotional difficulties including shame, anger, traumatic memories, experiences of rejection and abandonment, anxiety, fear as well as performance issues.

— Michael Johnson, Psychologist in Gilbert, AZ

I use brainspotting to help you process past traumatic experiences. I have found that by doing this you will become more effective at advocating for yourself, as well as identifying the messages that your brain and body send to you to help you function throughout your day.

— Rachelle Friedman, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
 

This mind-body approach to healing trauma is a wonderful tool for enhancing your goals in therapy. I have added this way of working since 2021, completing 72 hours of training in that time. I have been humbled by how it can open up the healing potential that lies in each of us.

— Ellen Tarby, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Ithaca, NY

I began training and certification in Brainspotting in 2020. This modality is in the same family as EMDR, using bilateral stimulation and eye positioning to help reduce activation in our brains and bodies related to specific events or sensations. Brainspotting can also be used to enhance performance for artists and athletes.

— Brandi Solanki, Counselor in Waco, TX
 

Birthed out of the practice of EMDR, Brainspotting is a trauma therapy intervention that uses the body’s eye gaze reflex to connect with deep brain processing. I use brainspotting to support clients navigating the effects of ptsd and cptsd, so they may experience release and relief from trauma stored in the body.

— Rye Webber, Creative Art Therapist in Nashville, TN

Brainspotting feels like one of the most trauma-informed and client led therapy modalities that I have learned thus far. I am excited to offer this type of therapy that makes space for the body's innate ability to heal in order to help process trauma and work through various blocks, whether they be creative or physical.

— Melisa Medalle, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
 

I am passionate about Brainspotting, which has become my primary approach to treatment. It is a powerful therapeutic method that helps identify and process deeply stored trauma and emotional distress. By focusing on specific eye positions that correlate with the brain’s emotional processing centers, this resource-oriented model is deeply healing. It often provides relief where talk therapy has not, offering a gentle yet profound impact in the healing process.

— Robin Neville, Licensed Master of Social Work in San Francisco, CA

I am trained in brainspotting and have seen it help access healing in a new way and unlock not only cognitive, emotional healing, but also settle the way the body feels.

— Melodye Phillips, Licensed Professional Counselor in Tyler, TX
 

I have received Brainspotting training and am a Brainspotting practitioner. I am continuing to get hours of training in advanced Brainspotting techniques and practice in the modality in order to provide the best care possible for my clients. Brainspotting is a technique that involves a deeper level of processing for clients and therefore more access to getting to the root of addressing the trauma.

— Lacee Lovely Lawson, Licensed Professional Counselor in Dallas, TX

Brainspotting is a treatment method that utilizes your visual field to connect with the parts of your brain that hold onto unprocessed trauma. Brainspotting invites clients to process distressing experiences by following the lead of their body.

— Shavonne James, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Long Beach, CA
 

Trained in Brainspotting Levels 1 & 2, working towards certification, I use this powerful modality to support attachment trauma, entrepreneurs and couples. BSP helps lessen the impact of trauma, improves emotional/somatic regulation, and is especially beneficial for neurodivergent individuals. It’s also a game-changer for high-achievers seeking clarity, direction, and personal growth. I integrate it with somatic practices, Parts Work, intuitive approaches, and Gottman Method to help clients heal

— Dawn Leprich-Graves, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Aurora, IL