Brainspotting is a somatic technique used for therapy. This technique uses the movement of the eyes and the thoughts of the client to process emotions in the brain, specifically the amygdala. Like other somatic therapies, brainspotting is gentle. It doesn’t use verbal statements, so it is a quiet therapy.
What is brainspotting used for?
Brainspotting can be used for any memories or events which have an emotional “charge”. An emotional “charge” is the feeling inside your body that doesn’t feel good. This can include upsetting events like being rejected for a job or a date all the way to very traumatic events where physical harm occurs to either you or someone you are with. For this technique, you would decide what you want to work on and then we would use the technique to see if the emotional charge will reduce. For trauma or other upsetting events, this technique may help you feel relief.
How does brainspotting work?
In a brainspotting session, the client chooses a topic to work on and the therapist helps the client find the correct eye position for processing. The client keeps their eyes on that position throughout the session and does not have to say anything or they can talk and share how they are feeling as the processing is taking place. Often brainspotting sessions are very quiet. The processing can feel something like waves at a beach where the initial wave is larger, but if the client holds the position, the waves become smaller and smaller until there are no more waves.
The level of intensity is measured on a scale from zero to ten. Zero represents no feeling or a neutral feeling. Ten represents the maximum for an emotion, it can’t get bigger than a ten. When starting a brainspotting session, the feelings may feel like a ten to start but gradually they will get smaller and smaller until they are barely felt or are zero. A typical brainspotting session lasts about an hour.
Can brainspotting be done online?
Brainspotting can be done online, but it is more effective if the client has a large full-sized computer monitor. It does not work as well on a tablet or cellphone. In this case, bigger (monitor) is better.
Brainspotting, like tapping, addresses the known emotions at the time the client starts the session. After the session is over, either later that same day or even a few days later, the client may have other emotions arise that are related to the topic of the session where brainspotting was used. That’s normal. When we experience emotions, they usually are not solitary emotions but have several which are related to each other. For instance, anger can also include hurt, shame, or sadness. The emotions which do arise later can be worked on in a future session.
How do I get started?
Contact me by emailing me that you are interested in trying brainspotting or tapping. Please leave your name, phone number, and a good time to contact you. I will call you to answer any questions you may have.