Brainspotting

Developed in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting is a relatively new form of treatment that has been shown to be effective for a variety of conditions, particularly with helping to identify and heal underlying trauma that contributes to anxiety, depression and other behavioral issues. The goal of brainspotting is to bypass conscious thinking to access the deeper, subconscious emotional and body-based parts of the brain to facilitate healing. According to Dr. Grand, “where you look affects how you feel.” With this in mind, therapists using brainspotting techniques help their clients to position their eyes in ways that enable them to target negative emotion. Think this approach may work for you? Contact one of our brainspotting specialists today to try it out.

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Meet the specialists

 

I am Phase One certified in Brainspotting. This technique can help folks process trauma and heal from emotional wounds. It is a noninvasive technique that appears relatively simple, but it has incredibly powerful effects.

— Nicole Borneman, Therapist in Saint Paul, MN

This unique approach helps you release the psychological blocks that keep you from being your most connected, creative, actualized self. You may have heard “eyes are windows to the soul” before. As it turns out, there’s medical research that proves that this old phrase is true. As the creator of this Brainspotting, Dr. David Grand, says, “where you look affects how you feel.” Brainspotting helps track points in your visual field that reveal unprocessed trauma in the brain.

— Noelle Benach, Counselor in Baltimore, MD
 

Brainspotting (BSP) is a powerful, focused method for treating trauma and other unresolved psychological issues. This unique approach helps you release the psychological blocks that keep you from being your most connected, creative, actualized self. Brainspotting offers deep neurological healing that talk therapy alone often cannot access. This technique gives us a way to access the subcortical brain, the place where emotional and somatic experiences are kept.

— Noelle Benach, Counselor in Baltimore, MD

At this point, I’m mostly only working with new clients who are open to it as a part of our work together because doing therapy without Brainspotting feels a little like doing therapy with my arms tied behind my back. I just can’t help people make the movement we both want them to make with traditional talk therapy. For more information on Brainspotting visit Brainspotting.com or my website.

— PK Foss, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Portland, OR
 

I began training and certification in Brainspotting in 2020. This modality is in the same family as EMDR, using bilateral stimulation and eye positioning to help reduce activation in our brains and bodies related to specific events or sensations. Brainspotting can also be used to enhance performance for artists and athletes.

— Brandi Solanki, Counselor in Waco, TX

I have completed Phase 1 and 2 of Brainspotting training and use this within session as clients desire. This approach focuses on the connection between the body and brain and strives to quickly reduce activation and increase emotional regulation. This approach is helpful for reducing symptoms related to trauma, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and chronic pain and chronic fatigue.

— Brandi Solanki, Counselor in Waco, TX
 

Brainspotting is a treatment approach which helps by identifying, processing, and releasing stored negative or traumatic experiences from the brain to help affected individuals heal from within. BSP is based on the idea that where you look affects how you feel. . I have found Brainspotting to be one of the most effective tools in healing anxiety, depression and trauma. (really any issue you face!) I have seen amazing progress in clients in a shorter amount of time vs. regular talk therapy.

— Chris McDonald, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in Raleigh, NC

I am trained to apply Brainspotting to a variety of emotional difficulties including shame, anger, traumatic memories, experiences of rejection and abandonment, anxiety, fear as well as performance issues.

— Michael Johnson, Psychologist in Gilbert, AZ
 

Brainspotting is mind/body approach that can help you connect deeply with the root of where issues are stored in your brain, body and nervous system. It helps you clear issues, ranging from difficult trauma to everyday challenges. It is also very helpful in building positives, such as confidence, relaxation optimal performance, etc.

— Elinor (Elly) Nygren Szapiro, Licensed Professional Counselor in Northwest, AR

There’s so much I love about Brainspotting; it compliments attachment theory and parts" work while allowing clients to dig deep in a way that isn’t possible with talk therapy alone. It's a way to clear through all the “stuff" in a completely different way so you can actually move forward with your life. I started training in November 2020 and became a Certified Brainspotter in January 2022.

— Jennifer Dolphin, Licensed Professional Counselor in Anchorage, AK
 

I am trained in brainspotting and have seen it help access healing in a new way and unlock not only cognitive, emotional healing, but also settle the way the body feels.

— Melodye Phillips, Licensed Professional Counselor in Tyler, TX

Brainspotting feels like one of the most trauma-informed and client led therapy modalities that I have learned thus far. I am excited to offer this type of therapy that makes space for the body's innate ability to heal in order to help process trauma and work through various blocks, whether they be creative or physical.

— Melisa Medalle, Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
 

As a Level 1-trained Brainspotting therapist, I specialize in using this powerful tool to help clients process trauma, anxiety, and emotional blocks. Brainspotting allows us to identify and access unprocessed trauma stored in the brain and body, facilitating deep healing. Through focused eye positions, we can target specific brain areas to release stored emotions, creating lasting relief. My approach combines this technique with mindfulness to promote self-awareness and resilience.

— Anne Giles, Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate in Boulder, CO

I am trained in Brainspotting (Phases 1 and 2) and use it to promote deeper processing in clients. Brainspotting, which evolved out of EMDR, is built on the theory that where we look affects how we feel. It involves a client identifying a spot where, as they gaze, they experience heightened activation. This promotes processing in the sub-cortical (emotional) part of the brain. My training was experiential, meaning that I experienced this modality as a client as well as a practitioner.

— Gavin Versi, Marriage and Family Therapist Associate in Issaquah, WA
 

As a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with expertise in Brainspotting, I specialize in using this cutting-edge therapeutic approach to help clients access and process deeply rooted emotional and physical trauma. Brainspotting leverages the brain-body connection by identifying specific "brainspots" where distress is stored, allowing targeted and profound healing. My training enables me to create a safe, attuned environment where clients can explore and resolve issues at their own pace.

— Adriana Vela Flores, Licensed Professional Counselor in Houston, TX

I use brainspotting to help you process past traumatic experiences. I have found that by doing this you will become more effective at advocating for yourself, as well as identifying the messages that your brain and body send to you to help you function throughout your day.

— Rachelle Friedman, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
 

Brainspotting is mind/body approach that can help you connect deeply with the root of where issues are stored in your brain, body and nervous system. It helps you clear issues, ranging from difficult trauma to everyday challenges. It is also very helpful in building positives, such as confidence, relaxation optimal performance, etc.

— Elinor (Elly) Nygren Szapiro, Licensed Professional Counselor in Northwest, AR

Brainspotting is one of two neurobased modalities that I augment into talk therapy to reduce anxiety and eliminate trauma responses. Brainspotting helps to reduce physical pain, memories become less painful, negative thought patterns are reduced, improves sleep and increases energy. Safe and Sound Protocol is a sound therapy that reduces anxiety and increases social engagement. Especially helpful to adults with anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, ADD, social anxiety/phobias.

— Cole Huggins, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Atlanta, GA
 

Brainspotting is a powerful tool that can help individuals move through trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, limiting beliefs and patterns, and so much more. Through brainspotting I help you identify, process, and release emotional experiences that are keeping you stuck. We can use brainspotting in addition to other therapies, or it can be used on it's own. Feel free to reach out to learn more about what a brainspotting session with me can look like!

— Emily Pellegrino, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in , CA

In my practice, I utilize Brainspotting as a powerful tool for healing trauma and emotional distress. This approach allows clients to access and process deep-seated memories and emotions by identifying specific eye positions linked to their experiences. By creating a safe and supportive environment, I guide clients through this focused attention, facilitating profound insights and healing. Brainspotting can effectively address a range of issues, including anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.

— Andrea Diemert, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in Fair Oaks, CA