Brainspotting Therapy: An Effective Way to Deal with Trauma

 

Psychological traumas can be daunting. It can make you emotionally drained, taking away your sleep, appetite, and much more. Over the years, people have experimented with different methods that could be used for treating psychological trauma. Still, experts have noted that these methods can also be utilized for improving sports performance or overcoming other psychological roadblocks.  

First developed by therapist David Grand in 2003, the brainspottingtreatment was an extension of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Despite the similarities they share, some features set them apart.

So before jumping onto the decision to get your next brainspotting appointment, get some information on what it is, the expectations you can have from these sessions, the benefits you would get, and the associated risks.

What is A Brainspotting Therapy?

Brainspotting is an advanced trauma body work that focuses on the reprocessing of negative experiences and restraining emotional reactions by identifying, processing, and releasing trauma or mental health imbalances.

The approach behind brainspotting therapy is to find a brainspot considering the premise that ‘where you look affects how you feel.’

But what is a Brainspot?

The brainspot is the eye position that links to the trauma stored in your brain. When you look at the brainspot, you can become aware of the trauma and heal it. By keeping your attention on the brainspot, you can let go of the trauma and feel more balanced. As hidden memories come to the surface, you can face them and move on with your life.

Brainspotting entails visually focusing on these specific spots, which acts as a targeted mindfulness that assists someone in identifying internal sensations or emotions, which usually manifest as tension in the body, and connecting them to a specific spot in the visual field that brings up that feeling or emotion.

When a therapist discovers a "brainspot" (a specific location in the client's visual field that is connected with a certain emotion or experience), they may assist the individual focus on that spot and processing the related emotions. Processing in this way can lead to relief from symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and physical pain.

What Does a Brainspotting Session Look Like?

The session begins with the therapist identifying the brainspots, and it is done by tracking reflective responses in eye moments. This is done with the therapist asking you to follow their fingers while focusing on a specific memory or emotion.

A therapist observes your eye movements from right to left, looking for signs of blinking and dilation. These indicate the presence of brainspots. Activating a brainspot allows the person to access and release the emotional or traumatic memory that is linked to it.

The aim of brainspotting is to help the person go from a state of imbalance—or suffering from distress, pain, or anxiety—to a state of balance—or feeling relieved from these symptoms—as quickly and effectively as possible. However, some therapists may combine brainspotting with talking therapy and ask the person about their emotions during the session, but the main purpose of brainspotting is to let go of the trauma or negative emotions by focusing on the brainspot. Brainspotting can work well with other types of therapy, such as CBT and somatic experiencing.

What Brainspotting Sessions Help You With?

Some of the benefits that brainspotting offers include:

•         Calming down your emotions

•         Aligning your physical and mental awareness

•         Accepting and valuing yourself as you are

•         Resolving trauma, even if you can't recall or verbalize it

•         Rediscovering your artistic, joyful, peaceful, or confident side

•         Deepening your connection to the divine

•         Coping with persistent pain

Are There Side Effects of Brainspotting?

Since it is a non-invasive procedure and does not involve any form of medication, there are no direct side effects of brainspotting. However, you might have to face intense, difficult, and unpleasant emotions related to traumatic memories or experiences.

The Effectiveness of An Online Brainspotting Session

Brainspotting works well over the phone or in a video session. So, if you are planning to book virtual therapy services, then the following will be the advantages that you get.

•         The ease and comfort of being in your own space

•         The flexibility to choose a Brainspotting specialist of your choice

•         Getting a session from anywhere in the world.

•         Saving time, energy, and effort traveling to and from appointments.

Looking For a Brainspotting Therapist

Maureen Donohue provides you with specialized services in somatic and brainspotting therapies.  With more than 20 years of experience, Maureen Donohue has a passion and purpose for helping people tap into the incredible healing power of their minds and bodies.

So, if you are searching for a somatic release therapy near me, you must check the Maureen Donohue website and gather detailed information on various offered therapies and services. Or, you can book an appointment and boost your healing power.