Brainspotting (BSP) uses the neuroscience finding that where you look affects how you feel. It is a powerful neurobiological tool (derived from EMDR*) used to treat somatic (physical) and emotionally-based conditions. It's a way of accessing the midbrain through the optic nerve using eye position to treat symptoms caused by traumatic memories. BSP process stimulates the body’s own natural ability to heal itself from trauma.

Often times people who have experienced significantly upsetting events don't want to talk about them. BSP is highly specialized modality with a gentle, client-centered application that does not require that you talk extensively about traumatic experiences in order to heal. We rely on the brain to know and provide what it needs. Imagine your brain like a file cabinet. Unprocessed trauma can be 'misfiled' in our midbrain causing emotional symptoms which have not been fully processed or accessed with other types of therapy.  BSP process 'locates the file' and holds it open to be 'emptied out' by your brain's own healing capacity.  
During a BSP session I help you to find a visual spot that increases the felt sense of an experience while you wear headphones playing soothing bilateral sounds. (Bilateral stimulation is a treatment element from EMDR).  

I offer BSP combined with other therapeutic tools as part of counseling / psychotherapy. It is up to you if and when you would like to use BSP in your sessions. You are the driver of your own treatment and my role is to provide the space and tools to help you heal.​​

You may be a good candidate for brainspotting if...

• you have been feeling "stuck" or hit a plateau with your current therapy. 
• you have had a traumatic event at any point in your life (vehicle accident, physical abuse, verbal abuse, assault, or other trauma history).
• you are a caregiver, therapist, nurse, or other healthcare provider experiencing some symptoms of burnout, overwhelm, or compassion fatigue.  BSP can help with limbic countertransference  which is common in helping professions.
• you are experiencing physical symptoms which are believed to be caused by emotional triggers (after your physician has ruled out other causes).
• you are experiencing creative or sports related performance blocks or "yips" that may be holding you back. See BSP in action with David Grand in this ESPN "30 for 30" episode. ​​

*Brainspotting history:

BSP was discovered by psychotherapist, David Grand, while using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) in 2003. Dr. Grand describes BSP as accessing the brain-body's innate self-scanning and self-healing capacities in the context of neurobiologically and relationally attuned clinical relationship. A person's brain-body activation around a particular issue is paired with a relevant eye and orienting position, called a brainspot, which access neurophysiological subsystems that hold emotional and/or physical experience in an often wordless but felt form of memory.

For more information, you can go directly to the official brainspotting website by clicking: brainspotting.com​ or watching David Grand talk about Brainspotting from the video at the top of this page.​

If you would like to learn more about counseling/therapy or schedule a free phone consult, reach out any time!​