Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsThe TechniqueThe SessionAfter a SessionFinding a Therapist
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
The Technique
The Session
After a Session
Finding a Therapist
This article describes how the brainspotting technique works and what happens during a typical session. It also explains some of the risks of brainspotting and how to find a certified brainspotting therapist.
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Brainspotting Therapy Technique
Examples of somatic pain include:
In addition to PTSD, there is some evidence that BSP may be effective for those withgeneralized anxiety disorder (GAD).
Does It Work?There is evidence that brainspotting may be as effective—and potentially more—than EMDR in treating symptoms of PTSD. This is because brainspotting is thought to engage the frontal lobe (which regulates higher executive functions) and limbic system (which processes memories and emotion) more precisely than EMDR.Compared to EMDR, brainspotting requires minimal dialogue between the therapist and patient and is less vulnerable to provider errors.
Does It Work?
There is evidence that brainspotting may be as effective—and potentially more—than EMDR in treating symptoms of PTSD. This is because brainspotting is thought to engage the frontal lobe (which regulates higher executive functions) and limbic system (which processes memories and emotion) more precisely than EMDR.Compared to EMDR, brainspotting requires minimal dialogue between the therapist and patient and is less vulnerable to provider errors.
There is evidence that brainspotting may be as effective—and potentially more—than EMDR in treating symptoms of PTSD. This is because brainspotting is thought to engage the frontal lobe (which regulates higher executive functions) and limbic system (which processes memories and emotion) more precisely than EMDR.
Compared to EMDR, brainspotting requires minimal dialogue between the therapist and patient and is less vulnerable to provider errors.
What Happens During a Brainspotting Session?
Before beginning brainspotting techniques, you will work with a certified therapist to develop stabilization and relaxation exercises to help encourage grounding as needed throughout the sessions.
Once brainspotting begins, the therapist uses a light or pointer to guide your vision from right to left to find a specific position dubbed “the brainspot.” The purpose of finding the right brainspot is to allow the release ofstored traumatic memories.
Throughout the process, you will hear bilateral sounds moving rhythmically between the left and right ears. As this happens, you are asked to focus on the sensations and feelings that arise in the body.
During a brainspotting session, the therapist does not ask you todescribe your traumaor experience during treatment. This differs from other clinical interventions that treat trauma, like EMDR and psychotherapy.
Risks of BrainspottingAs with EMDR, brainspotting poses certain risks, particularly to those with severe PTSD or who are dealing with other emotional or psychiatric issues.Possible side effects of BSP include:An increase in distressing memoriesThe surfacing of new traumatic memoriesExtreme physical or emotional sensations during sessionsVivid dreamsBrainspotting may not be appropriate for all people and should be pursued only under the guidance of a trained mental health professional.
Risks of Brainspotting
As with EMDR, brainspotting poses certain risks, particularly to those with severe PTSD or who are dealing with other emotional or psychiatric issues.Possible side effects of BSP include:An increase in distressing memoriesThe surfacing of new traumatic memoriesExtreme physical or emotional sensations during sessionsVivid dreamsBrainspotting may not be appropriate for all people and should be pursued only under the guidance of a trained mental health professional.
As with EMDR, brainspotting poses certain risks, particularly to those with severe PTSD or who are dealing with other emotional or psychiatric issues.
Possible side effects of BSP include:
Brainspotting may not be appropriate for all people and should be pursued only under the guidance of a trained mental health professional.
What to Do After Brainspotting Therapy
It can be helpful to plan how to spend your time immediately following a brainspotting session, especially if it’s the first. Planning some downtime after a session can help you adjust to any feelings that come up afterward. Here are some things to consider:
It’s normal to experience a range of reactions after a brainspotting session. Many people feel physically and mentally tired afterward, while others experience increased anxiety or other responses.
How to Find a Certified Brainspotting Therapist
There are several places to find a certified brainspotting therapist. To become certified, therapists complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 training (six days total), at least 50 hours of direct Brainspotting practice with clients, and at least 6 hours of individual consultation with an approved Brainspotting Consultant.
Brainspotting.comis a website dedicated specifically to the brainspotting intervention. It includes information about brainspotting and has a directory to search for certified therapists.
You can also do an online search on thePsychology Todaywebsiteusing the keywords “brainspotting.”
Please note that a brainspotting certification neither requires a medical background nor a degree in psychotherapy. With that said, an increasing number of psychotherapists and licensed counselors have incorporated BSP into their practices.
To this end, ask a potential therapist about other certifications and licenses they hold to get a better sense of their qualifications.
Summary
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gorra N.The genetic and somatic expressions of trauma: a review of pathology and treatment.Int J Multidiscipl Res Growth Evaluation. 2022;3(6):290-297. doi:10.54660/anfo.2022.3.6.10
D’Antoni F, Matiz A, Fabbro F, Crescentini C.Psychotherapeutic techniques for distressing memories: a comparative study between EMDR, brainspotting, and body scan meditation.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(3):1142. doi:10.3390/ijerph19031142
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