Brainspotting

Brainspotting (BSP) is a type of therapy offered at CCM Counseling & Wellness. Brainspotting is designed to help people access, process, and overcome trauma, negative emotions and pain, including psychologically induced physical pain. Dr. David Grand, founder of brainspotting, explains: Where we look affects how we feel.

Who Can Benefit from Brainspotting?

Those who have experienced either physical or emotional trauma may obtain benefit from brainspotting. This form of therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment option for those experiencing:
• All forms of trauma
• Anxiety
• Attention issues (ADHD)
• Anger issues
• Phobias
• Substance abuse
• Chronic fatigue and chronic pain
• Impulse control issues
• Sports performance issues
• Eating disorders

Understanding Brainspotting

A simplified way to understand brainspotting is to consider it in terms of pixels. Pixels are the small units of information in digital photos. Imagine that your brain is a grid of pixels, with each pixel holding information. The information may be verbal, nonverbal, a sensation in your body, or a long-buried emotion. Depending on where we look, we can access the different pixels or brainspots. Once accessed, traumas can be digested and released.

Finding the Appropriate Brainspot

Before starting brainspotting, a therapist may offer clients headphones to listen to bilateral music. This subtle, bilateral stimulation activates both sides of the brain and helps the brain process. Next, the therapist helps clients position their eyes to target the source of negative emotion or sensation in the body. The therapist will often use a pointer to slowly guide the person’s eyes across the field of vision to find the appropriate brainspot.

Activating the Body’s Ability to Heal

A brainspot is the eye position that activates a traumatic memory or painful emotion. Clients can access emotions on a deeper level, while also targeting the physical effects of the trauma. There is increasing evidence that trauma is “stored” in the body and alters the way the brain works. For example, trauma can affect emotions, memory, and physical health. Brainspotting seems to activate the body’s innate ability to heal itself from trauma.

Minimizing Trauma’s Influence

Brainspotting can minimize the influence of trauma and negative emotions. It can uncover thinking patterns that keep a person stuck. Memories are not lost, but the “emotional charge” from the memory or the nonproductive thinking pattern will be cleared.

Establishing Better Choices

Imagine standing in front of a bonfire. As you stand by the fire, you hear the crackling, experience the heat, and smell the smoke. This is one level of intensity and charge. On the other hand, if you look at a picture of a bonfire, your senses are no longer engaged. The level of intensity or charge is much lower. This is what brainspotting can do. It can reduce the intensity and establish a more productive set of patterns and choices.

Contact Us Today

To learn more about brainspotting therapy, contact CCM Counseling & Wellness.