Brainspotting is a method of therapy that can be utilized to treat various symptoms of psychological and physical ailments. Brainspotting works by locating points in a person’s visual field that help to that individual access unprocessed trauma within the subcortical brain.

We’ll start out by sitting facing each other in chairs that are placed just a few feet apart from one another.

You’ll be asked to wear a set of open-back headphones that I will provide for you. This allows you to listen to bilateral music, which will help your brain begin to process the stress or traumatic memories so that you can access stressful memories without triggering severe anxiety or stress.

Once you feel grounded, I’ll slowly move a pointer across your visual field. During this time, we’ll both be scanning for “brainspots”. Once we find a brainspot, I’ll hold the pointer still at that location, where you will be holding your gaze. Some clients process verbally, while others may not utter a single word during the experience.

Throughout the process I will periodically be checking in with you. Once we wrap up the Brainspotting, we can process what came up for you in the session and go over post-care instructions. We’ll also set up a time for a brief phone check-in 2-3 days after your session.

According to David Grand, Ph.D., “A “Brainspot” is the eye position which is related to the energetic/emotional activation of a traumatic/emotionally charged issue within the brain, most likely in the amygdala, the hippocampus, or the orbitofrontal cortex of the limbic system. Located by eye position, paired with externally observed and internally experienced reflexive responses, a Brainspot is actually a physiological subsystem holding emotional experience in memory form.”

There are two ways we can identify brainspots.

The first is through reflexive physical signals that you may or may not be aware of as the client. Examples of these include:

• eye twitching

• pupil dilation

• pupil constriction

• swallowing

• digestive sounds

• yawning

• twitches or tics

• laughing

Another way that we can identify a brainspot is through your identification of an intense emotional or physical experience. Some clients may notice an acute sensation of excitement, anxiety, or other emotion. While others may notice physical sensations such as fluttering in the stomach, chest tightness, or muscle tension.

I know it cam seem a little “woo-woo”, however, brainspotting can be a remarkably effective treatment modality. BSP works by accessing traumatic memories that are stuck or trapped in the subcortical brain . This middle section of your brain is responsible for motion, vision, consciousness, sleep, emotions, and learning.

Sometimes when people experience trauma, their midbrain “freezes” in an attempt to protect the individual, as they need to conserve their resources in order to enter fight or flight mode. While this may be adaptive during a stressful or dangerous situation, it can quickly become maladaptive if brain gets “trapped” in freeze mode. Brainspotting can help you get unstuck by allowing you to process the traumatic event in a safe, therapeutic, environment in order to facilitate the release of trauma from your body.

Most likely, yes.

Brainspotting is effective for a wide variety of emotional and somatic conditions. Brainspotting is particularly effective with trauma-based situations, helping to identify and heal underlying trauma that contributes to anxiety, depression and other behavioral conditions. It can also be used with performance and creativity enhancement. Brainspotting gives the therapist access to both brain and body processes. Its goal is to bypass the conscious, neocortical thinking to access the deeper, subcortical emotional and body-based parts of the brain.

Yes! There are numerous studies which support the effectiveness of Brainspotting. Here’s a few notable results:

• Results from a 2016 study in the International Journal of Environmental Research ad Public Health titled, Psychotherapeutic Techniques for Distressing Memories: A Comparative Study between EMDR, Brainspotting, and Body Scan Meditation, showed beneficial effects of single sessions of BSP in the processing of healthy adults’ distressing memories.

• Results from a 2017 study in the Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, titled, Brainspotting – the efficacy of a new therapy approach for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in comparison to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing indicate that Brainspotting seems to be an effective alternative therapeutic approach for clients who experienced a traumatic event and/or with PTSD.

• Brainspotting was found to be the most efficacious of all treatment methods used to assist victims of the Newtown / Sandy Hook tragedy. According to the report, the sample of participants from the study is comprised of various impacted groups “including victims, surviving children, surviving teachers, emergency responders, Sandy Hook parents, community members, and the faith community” You can read the full study in the 2016 Report by the Newtown-Sandy Hook Community Foundation, Inc.

No. I only offer brainspotting services in person due to the delicate nature of trauma work.

• Drink plenty of water to ensure you are properly hydrated

• Try to sleep at least 8 hours the night before your BSP session.

• If possible, engage in some physical exercise in order to boost blood-flow to your brain.

• Clear your schedule for the remainder of your day following your BSP appointment.

For more detailed information, visit the Baltimore Brainspotting Collective’s Pre and Post Care suggestion webpage.