At Modern Therapy and Wellness, we strive to provide the most advanced therapies so that our clients can feel their best. We are now offering brainspotting. Brainspotting is one of the powerful brain therapies that is being used to make quick changes. Brianspotting is an advanced somatic therapy like EMDR. These therapies don’t eliminate traumatic memories, but they allow you to have a different emotional experience when a reaction or memory comes up.
What is it?
It is a brain and body-based therapy that provides breakthroughs for many clients. In traditional talk therapy we access the neocortex, where language and cognition is stored. Brainspotting accesses the subcortical brain, which stores emotions, memories and trauma. It is a great tool for processing and releasing symptoms that we cannot access through cognition and language. It has been proven that trauma is stored in the body. BSP uses the visual field to access these parts of the brain. Brain based therapy is the fastest growing area in the field because it works quickly. David Grand discovered brainspotting in 2003. Over 13,000 therapists are using it worldwide. According to Hailey Shafir, LPCS, “Brainspotting is based on the belief that certain eye positions can evoke emotions, sensations and memories because they access specific brainspots where traumatic memories are stored.”
How does it work?
Brainspotting is based on the idea that where you look determines how you feel. A typical session involves finding an eye position to tap into what a person wants to work on while listening to music that provides bilateral stimulation. Brainspotting utilizes points in the visual fields that help to access unprocessed trauma.
EMDR and Brainspotting
Brainspotting originated from EMDR. They both use the eye as an access point and they both use bilateral stimulation. EMDR uses eye movements as a form of bilateral stimulation, while brainspotting focuses on the eye on a fixed gaze position. They are both used in treating a variety of things, including anxiety, trauma and addiction. Brainspotting can also be used to work on growth in certain areas of your life. They are both evidence-based therapies.
When is it used?
- Emotional/ body pain
- processing decisions
- Sports Performance issues
- Anxiety
- Depression
- All forms of trauma
- Substance abuse
- ADHD
- Chronic pain
- Grief / loss
- Impulse control
- Panic attacks
- To increase creativity
A Brainspotting Intake Session
An BSP trained therapist will meet with you for an intake session to explore what your goals are for treatment. During this time, you will establish a relationship with your therapist and your therapist will ask you specific questions about what topic you want to work on. Your therapist will also explain how the brainspotting session will work. Next, you will come in for your BSP session. During this session, your therapist will help you to position your eyes in ways that will help you to target your emotions. As humans, we all have wisdom inside of us. Your brainspotting clinician will help you to locate those places within yourself
What to Expect
- Your therapist will help you to find your brainspot
- You will listen to bilateral music
- Your therapist will follow your lead and guide you
- Your therapist will use mindfullness techniques to help you
- After the BSP session, it is common to feel tired. Be mindful of taking good care of yourself
Here at Modern Therapy and Wellness, we do offer brainspotting. Contact us for a consultation or to book a brainspotting session. Click here to email us or call us at 504-452-1483. We offer a free phone consultation.