In my therapy practice, I use a technique called Brainspotting. Brainspotting can be used to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma and other mental health challenges. If clients struggle with substance abuse or addiction, Brainspotting can reduce the strength of the triggers that lead people back to using.
What is Brainspotting?
In the words of Brainspotting developer David Grand, PhD:
“Brainspotting is a brain-based psychotherapy approach that uses the field of vision to find where a person is holding, not only trauma, but any negative experience in their brain. We say with Brainspotting, where you look is how you feel.”(1)
During Brainspotting, I may use a pointer to support my client in locating a spot in their field of vision that holds activation around a particular topic, situation or mental health challenge. Clients may also opt to find that designated spot on their own. The spot identified can be considered a portal into the deepest parts of our brain. In other words, where we look can give us access to capsules of thoughts, memories and experiences that are buried deep and can be hard to access through traditional talk therapy.
Once that spot is identified and Brainspotting begins, I support my clients as they process any emotions, feelings or reactions that arise. Engaging the parts of the brain that are not involved with language or logic gives clients the freedom to access the unconscious and to process what’s buried there; those unconscious “stuck points” almost always have an impact on feelings, thoughts and behaviors in the present day. Brainspotting allows both the brain and the body to process the unconscious.
Additional information about Brainspotting can be found here.
Consider Brainspotting Therapy to Heal
Are past struggles or hurts starting to surface now that you've become a parent?
Are you struggling to meet the goals you’ve set for yourself?
Are symptoms of depression, anxiety or trauma having a negative impact on your life?
Do you drink alcohol or use drugs to “self-medicate” and manage stress, overwhelm or mental health challenges?
Have you done lots of talk therapy but feel like you haven't quite gotten to the root of your problems?
Are you ready to try something different?
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to discuss Brainspotting today.
(1) David Grand Explains Brainspotting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm3Plvaf3UE&t=24s
Michelle Deely, MFT specializes in helping burned out moms find relief. Michelle offers in-person therapy in San Francisco and online therapy to clients throughout California, Nevada and Florida.