Brainspotting
Trauma Therapy
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is an intervention to process pain and trauma using the inner workings of your brain, your visual field, a therapist trained in Brainspotting, and the use of a pointer.
In talk therapy, you use the thinking part of your brain. Brainspotting taps into the part of the brain that holds emotions and memory. Stark Therapy Group is excited to offer trained therapists who offer both talk therapy and Brainspotting treatment.
How does Brainspotting work?
We all have "brainspots," which are spots in our visual field that activate emotions and memories. Have you ever tried to remember something and without thinking, looked up to the right or left and then remembered? Brainspots work similarly.
In a brainspotting session, your Stark Therapy Group therapist will help you identify a spot in your visual field to use for your session. This spot will be used to access emotions, somatic experiences, and/or a memory held in the body.
How does Brainspotting help process trauma?
Brainspotting can help you reduce and/or release the pain associated with trauma.
Brainspotting can help open opportunities to increase compassion for yourself.
We don’t always have the words for our inner experience, especially when thinking about or looking at trauma. You don’t need the words in brainspotting.
What do I have to do in a Brainspotting session?
Show up to therapy. Taking this first step can often be the hardest.
Bring a topic or memory you’d like to process.
Brainspotting is intended to be client-led, which means you are leading the way. The therapist follows your lead while providing support along the way. We understand that trauma can impact our level of trust with our bodies, and that may feel scary. Your body is super smart, and it can do amazing things. Your body holds wisdom you may not feel connected to just yet. With the appropriate support, space and environment, we can support your body and brain in healing through Brainspotting.
How might I feel after a Brainspotting session?
Every BODY is different and responds differently to brainspotting. You might feel very tired, emotionally exhausted, fuzzy, shaky, or anxious leaving your brainspotting session. You might not feel anything at all. Like most things, people’s response varies from body to body. Your Stark Therapy Group therapist will guide you and provide support however your body responds.
You may notice that your body and brain continues to process and self-heal in the hours and days following a brainspotting session. These changes might be subtle or can be more profound. Make note of any shifts or changes and tell your Stark Therapy Group therapist about them during your next session.
Do I have to talk about my trauma during a brainspottting session?
The cool thing about Brainspotting is that you don’t have to talk about your trauma at all if you don’t want to. Your therapist can know as little or as much as you’d like them to know. You are not expected to verbally process your trauma, and you are also welcome to. There’s no right or wrong here, just whatever feels most natural to you in the moment.
How many sessions does brainspotting take?
Brainspotting allows for flexibility and is highly individualized. There’s no minimum or maximum number of sessions required for brainspotting. If you try a brainspotting session and decide it’s not for you, our Stark Therapy Group therapists are able to utilize other modalities to support your trauma healing journey.
What is the difference between Brainspotting and EMDR?
Brainspotting and EMDR are both therapeutic approaches used to process and heal from trauma and pain. One is not necessarily better than the other and like most things, every intervention will work differently for each individual. Here’s a breakdown of each intervention.
Brainspotting:
Theoretical Foundation: Brainspotting is based on the premise that where a person looks can influence how they feel. It draws from various therapeutic modalities, including somatic experiencing and mindfulness.
Process: Brainspotting involves identifying and focusing on brainspots in the visual field that impact the activation of traumatic or distressing experiences. These spots are believed to correspond with areas in the brain where unprocessed trauma is stored.
Technique: The therapist helps the client identify a relevant brainspot and maintains focus on it while processing through the associated emotions and memories. This can be done through discussion, body sensations, or other means, aiming to release and process the stored trauma.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing):
Theoretical Foundation: EMDR is rooted in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, which suggests that unprocessed memories contribute to psychological distress. EMDR posits that bilateral stimulation (often through side-to-side eye movements) helps the brain reprocess these memories, leading to resolution.
Process: EMDR typically involves an eight-phase approach, including history-taking, treatment planning, and reprocessing. The therapist guides the client through recalling distressing memories while engaging in bilateral stimulation, helping the individual process and integrate the memories more adaptively.
Technique: The core technique involves the use of rhythmic eye movements or other bilateral stimulation methods (such as tapping or auditory cues) to facilitate the reprocessing of traumatic memories. The goal is to help the person reframe negative beliefs and alleviate emotional distress associated with past experiences.
Key Differences between Brainspotting and EMDR:
Focus: Brainspotting emphasizes the importance of eye positions linked to trauma, while EMDR focuses on bilateral stimulation to facilitate memory reprocessing.
Theoretical Basis: Brainspotting draws from various therapeutic models, while EMDR has a specific theoretical foundation in the AIP model.
Techniques: While both therapies involve some form of bilateral stimulation, the specific techniques and procedures differ between Brainspotting and EMDR.
It's important to note that the effectiveness of these therapies can vary from person to person, and the choice between them may depend on individual preferences and therapeutic goals. Additionally, ongoing research may contribute to further understanding and refinement of these therapeutic approaches.
Note: Someone must be trained in Brainspotting to provide this therapy intervention. Schedule a free consultation with one of our trained therapists to learn more about how Brainspotting may be a helpful tool in your healing process.