Brainspotting, a psychotherapy technique, was developed about two decades ago. At Ferris & Associates, offering therapy services online in Indiana and in-person in Fishers, brainspotting is used to assist individuals in the processing of psychological trauma and other emotional issues.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a targeted and effective approach for processing a) trauma and b) emotions that often remain inaccessible to one’s conscious awareness and, therefore, out of reach for conventional talk therapy. Brainspotting is often compared to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy because studies indicate similar effectiveness for both techniques. Additionally, research demonstrates that brainspotting can significantly reduce symptoms associated with PTSD and other trauma-based issues.
Brainspotting targets the brain’s sub-cortex, the storage area for traumatic memories. Engaging this particular part of the brain allows clients to tap into raw emotional experiences, effectively bypassing cognitive and analytical thinking that often takes precedence.
Key Aspects of Brainspotting
Brainspotting is based on the theoretical basis that "where you look impacts how you feel." Using eye positions to gain access to and process traumatic memories stored in your brain and body, brainspotting is believed to be effective because it allows for -
- Accessing the brain regions where trauma is stored.
- Promotion of the body's inherent ability to heal itself from trauma.
- Using the existing brain-body connection to process and release traumatic experience.
- Allowing traumatic memories to be processed without needing to be relived.
Brainspotting as a Technique
Brainspotting allows a therapist to assist a client in focusing on a specific traumatic response. The next step is for the therapist to help clients identify “brain spots” – specific eye positions that may involve looking at vision field points or angles and are associated with brain areas where emotional pain is stored.
A client focuses their gaze on the identified brain spot while simultaneously bringing awareness to feelings and sensations typically stored out of full consciousness so these emotional issues can be resolved.
Note that the process may include bilateral stimulation (adding audio) to enhance it.
Applications for Brainspotting
Brainspotting is used to treat various issues, including:
- Anxiety and depression
- PTSD
- Trauma
- Chronic pain
- Addiction
- Performance anxiety
- Phobias.
Visit Us Virtually or In Person in Fishers, IN
For some people, brainspotting can be more effective than traditional talk therapy, especially when problematic issues remain deeply rooted, or it is a non-verbalized trauma. For more information, contact one of the mental health professionals or a staff member at Ferris & Associates online.