Brainspotting

A different way to do therapy

Discovered by an EMDR expert David Grand, Ph.D. in 2003, Brainspotting (BSP) is a body-brain approach that does not necessarily require talking.

It works by precisely locating a place in your visual field, or brainspot, that connects to body activation which is often related to a problem or trigger a person has been experiencing. By focusing on the spot or spots, it is possible to process and release trauma, anxiety, depression, and relational problems from the inside-out, or “bottom-up.”

Brainspotting taps into the body’s natural self-scanning and self-healing abilities. It is a therapeutic process that can easily be integrated with other healing modalities. Brainspotting can be used on its own, or incorporated between more traditional talking sessions.

A pointer is used to locate the places in your visual field connected to activation in your body.

“What is in the body is in the brain and what is in the brain is in the body.” — Dr. David Grand

Questions that get asked

• I've done EMDR. Is Brainspotting like EMDR?

  EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Brainspotting are both therapeutic approaches primarily used to treat trauma and emotional distress, and while they share some similarities, they have important differences in technique, theory, and application.

  🧠 Similarities

  1. Trauma-Focused:
     Both are commonly used for treating PTSD, complex trauma, and emotional dysregulation.

  2. Body-Based (Somatic) Awareness:
     Each incorporates awareness of physical sensations and bodily responses during therapy.

  3. Access to Subcortical Brain:
     They both aim to access deeper brain regions (especially subcortical areas like the amygdala), where trauma is stored nonverbally.

  4. Use of Bilateral Stimulation (sometimes):
     Both may use bilateral stimulation (left-right eye movements, auditory tones, or tapping), though it's essential in EMDR and optional in Brainspotting.

  5. Focus on Processing "Stuck" Material:
     They both help clients process experiences that are emotionally overwhelming or “stuck” in the nervous system.
     

  ⚖️ Differences

  1. Mechanism
     EMDR Uses structured sets of bilateral eye movements to reprocess trauma. Brainspotting Uses fixed eye position ("brainspot") where client gazes, often with minimal movement.

  2. Structure
     EMDR uses highly protocol-driven, with 8 standardized phases. Brainspotting is more open-ended and intuitive, less protocol-heavy.

  3. Therapist's Role
     EMDR is more directive; therapist guides through specific phases.

     Brainspotting is more client-led; therapist holds space and observes.

  4. Processing Style

     EMDR encourages cognitive shifts and reprocessing of memory.

     Brainspotting focuses more on somatic and emotional experience without needing verbal narrative.

  5. Bilateral Stimulation

     EMDR essential component (eye movement, tones, taps).

     Brainspotting optional—some use bilateral sound, but it's not central.

  6. Verbalization

     EMDR more verbal processing, especially in later phases.

     Brainspotting Less emphasis on talking; silence is often used for deeper access.
     
     

• What is a Brainspotting session like?

  If the session is a standard 55 minute session, the first ten minutes is spent exploring the problem, the stuck issue and the places in your body where you experience physical activation.
  You are offered bilateral music or nature sounds that can enhance the processing. One or more places in your visual field are located that connect to the place of activation in your body. We spend an extended time at this spot or alternate between different spots during which time we allow for subcortical processing.
  During this time, you may experience thoughts, images, memories, body sensations, visual changes and feelings. Some sessions seem very “active” and others are more subtle. After about 35-40 minutes, the pointer is lowered and some light processing / discussion may occur about your experience. “Processing” may continue on in your body and brain after the session has ended. Some people say they experience insights, strong body sensations, memories, intensified dreams in the 24-48 hours after the session. Some people report not noticing any post session differences.
  
  
  

• Does insurance cover Brainspotting?

  Insurance may cover standard 55 minute Brainspotting sessions as long as a diagnosis has been established which requires a separate intake assessment. HSA and FSA cards can also be used for payment.

• I'm already in therapy. Can I also do Brainspotting sessions?

  Brainspotting is often used in conjunction with more traditional talk therapy. It is important to let your provider know you are interested in adding Brainspotting while in therapy.

• Can Brainspotting be done virtually?

  Yes. Brainspotting can be just as effective when completed virtually. It is helpful to have access to a screen larger than your phone. You will also need non-sound cancelling headphones that can connect to a source other than the computer.

• Is there a reason Brainspotting wouldn't be a good choice for me?

  Yes, while Brainspotting (BSP) is generally considered a gentle and adaptable therapy, there are a few situations where caution or modification is needed, depending on the client’s psychological stability, diagnosis, and overall readiness.

  1. Acute Psychosis or Active Mania

  • The internal focus of BSP can intensify disorganized thinking or emotional overwhelm.

  2. Dissociative Disorders

  • While BSP can be helpful for dissociation, it must be used very carefully.

  3. Severe Unregulated Emotional States

  • Clients with poor affect regulation, such as extreme anxiety or rage, might be flooded if processing too fast.

  • The depth of access in Brainspotting can bring up raw, unprocessed emotion.

  4. Unstable Life Circumstances

  • If a client is in crisis (e.g., domestic violence, eviction, substance withdrawal), deep trauma work may destabilize them further.

  5. Neurological Conditions

  • While rare, clients with certain neurological issues (e.g., seizures, head trauma) might require careful screening.

  6. Severe Attachment Trauma with Fragile Ego States

  • Clients with complex developmental trauma may become overwhelmed or feel emotionally abandoned if not properly contained.

• Is there research on Brainspotting?

  Yes! This website has a number of research papers and articles on the science and effectiveness of Brainspotting. Brainspotting Research

Brainspotting Intensives

Coming soon, Heart Stone Counseling will be offering longer, concentrated sessions, also known as intensives, in order to offer deeper healing in less time.