What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful therapeutic approach that stems from EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). It offers a unique way for healing and recovery, allowing individuals to tap into the body’s innate ability to self-regulate and return to a state of balance.

Developed by David Grand, Ph.D., Brainspotting operates on the belief that the direction in which a person looks can affect their emotional state. Brainspotting works by identifying specific eye positions that are linked to emotional experiences stored in the subcortical regions of the brain. This technique is based on the understanding that brain activity, particularly within these deeper brain areas, organizes itself around these eye positions. By accessing these spots, Brainspotting allows individuals to process and release deep-seated emotional and trauma-related issues.

According to neuroscience, trauma can become ‘locked’ in the body, with key brain regions like the amygdala playing a critical role. The amygdala, responsible for processing emotions, can become stuck in a hyperactive (stuck on) or hypoactive (stuck off) state due to traumatic experiences, leading to ongoing emotional and physiological distress.

Pioneers in trauma research, such as Peter Levine and Bessel van der Kolk, emphasize that traditional talk therapy alone may not be sufficient to heal these deep-seated issues.

Body-focused therapies such as Brainspotting help deepen engagement with the body’s instinctual and non-verbal memories and responses. Peter Levine has noted how trauma can disrupt the body’s natural equilibrium, advocating for therapies that allow for processing these deeper, often non-verbal, traumatic memories.

By combining focused attention with the client’s visual field, Brainspotting allows individuals to access and process trauma that resides below the level of consciousness, promoting healing from within. This method is not only used for trauma but is also effective in treating anxiety, PTSD, and other emotional disorders.

If you are interested in this psychotherapy, you can find certified practitioners listed on brainspottingcanada.com.

For more information, visit the official website at brainspotting.com. Sessions are available online, allowing you to choose a practitioner that you feel a connection with.

This article is derived from the
official Brainspotting website. Visit
brainspottingcanada.com/bspprofessional for
Canadian Certified Practitioners.