What is a Brainspotting Therapist?
A Brainspotting therapist is a professional who employs Brainspotting, a specialized technique in their therapeutic practice. These therapists are often trained in various modalities such as trauma counseling, abuse therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, and other types of therapies. They utilize Brainspotting to help clients process traumatic memories, negative thoughts, and feelings that impact their mental health
Introduction to Brainspotting Therapy
Brainspotting therapy is a revolutionary approach to mental health treatment that focuses on identifying and healing trauma-related symptoms. At the heart of this method is the Brainspotting therapist, a professional trained to guide clients through the intricate process of uncovering and addressing deep-seated emotional pain.
Brainspotting locates points in the client’s visual field that help to access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. Discovered in 2003 by David Grand, Ph.D., Brainspotting has since trained over 20,000 therapists across the globe, including regions such as the United States, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and Africa. Dr. Grand’s insight that “Where you look affects how you feel” emphasizes how the brain, particularly the subcortical area, organizes itself around specific eye positions.
A brainspot is an area in the brain that has stored a capsule of information that may be traumatic and impacting our mental health. For more information, click here to watch a quick video on it.
Who Can be a Brainspotting Therapist?
A Brainspotting therapist is a specialized mental health practitioner who has undergone extensive training in the Brainspotting technique. This approach was developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003 and is designed to help clients access and process traumatic memories that are often stored deep within the brain. The Brainspotting therapist uses specific eye positions to help clients locate and focus on these memories, facilitating their release and integration. There is a directory of therapists on the brainspotting.com website.
To become a Brainspotting therapist, one must complete rigorous training programs that cover the theoretical foundations and practical applications of the technique. These programs ensure that the therapist is well-equipped to handle the complex nature of trauma and its impact on the brain. The person has so many hours of brainspotting therapy that is supervised before they can qualify to practice it alone. A certified Brainspotting therapist is adept at creating a safe and supportive environment for clients, where they can explore their emotions without fear of judgment.
Common Conditions Supported by a Brainspotting Therapist
During a Brainspotting session, the therapist works closely with the client to identify “brainspots” – specific eye positions that are linked to traumatic experiences. The Brainspotting therapist uses these brainspots to guide the client through a process of focused mindfulness and deep emotional processing. This method allows the client to access parts of the brain that are usually beyond the reach of traditional talk therapy.
Brainspotting therapy can be done on children, teens and adults. It can be used therapeutically in a variety of conditions. Here are 14 common issues brainspotting helps with:
- Trauma and PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Grief
- OCD
- Negative Life Events
- Feeling Stuck
- Attachment Issues
- Substance Use
- Processing Deep Seated Emotions
- Sports Performance
- Feeling Blocked in Career and Creatively
- Becoming More Aware and Mindful
- Helping with Somatic Experiences or Body Responses
What to Expect in a Session with a Brainspotting Therapist
In a session with a Brainspotting therapist, the client and therapist will discuss the specific issues the client wishes to address. These could include traumas, feelings of being stuck, persistent thoughts, negative experiences, or bodily sensations.
For instance, a client might say, “When I drive my car, I worry about getting into another accident. Since I rear-ended that family, I feel jumpy while driving, experiencing chest pains, anxiety, sweating, and a racing heart, and I feel like I need to go home.” The therapist will ask the client to rate these thoughts and feelings on a scale from 0 to 10, with the client possibly rating them as a 7 out of 10.
The therapist will ensure the client has resources and feels sufficiently grounded for Brainspotting. Clients may listen to bilateral music, use a grounding object, or employ a less activating type of Brainspotting. This process is collaborative.
Together, the client and therapist will identify the “brainspot,” or gaze position, that best corresponds to the activating issue. If the client does not intuitively find the spot, the therapist will guide them using specific Brainspotting techniques. Once the spot is identified, the therapist will set up a pointer to help the client maintain the gaze.
At this point, the client can choose to talk about the issue aloud or simply hold their gaze as they see fit. The beauty of Brainspotting lies in its flexibility; clients can speak or remain silent, following their intuition. This approach facilitates self-directed healing, working on a subcortical level to achieve deep processing.
Clients often report that Brainspotting feels less triggering and more relaxed compared to EMDR sessions, possibly due to the incorporation of mindfulness techniques and the sustained gaze. Nonetheless, both methods are highly effective therapeutic tools.
Throughout the session, the therapist will check in with the client to assess their comfort level and processing, ensuring they are supported every step of the way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Brainspotting therapist plays a crucial role in helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges. Through specialized training and a deep understanding of Brainspotting techniques, these therapists provide effective and transformative care. If you are struggling with unresolved trauma or emotional pain, seeking the help of a Brainspotting therapist could be the key to unlocking a healthier, happier life.
About
Heather Caruso is a compassionate, skilled, and intuitive therapist offering in person sessions in Guelph ON and online therapy. She is a registered Canadian art therapist, registered psychotherapist, trauma counselor and narcissistic abuse treatment clinician. She offers a unique blend of therapeutic approaches to help her clients navigate their healing journeys. Heather’s deep empathy and expertise create a safe and nurturing environment for those dealing with a mental health issue. Her areas of expertise are anxiety, depression, grief, low self esteem, stress management, trauma, PTSD and navigating big life changes. Heather offers one on one sessions and group sessions for adult women for people from Ontario.
To support individuals in finding the right therapeutic path for their unique needs, she offers a free Zoom chat where people can ask questions and determine if her therapy services are a good fit for their needs. To book an appointment, click the button below.
