Interview with Jane Troescher, LPC on Brainspotting

At Modern Therapy and Wellness, we get a lot of requests for EMDR or somatic therapy. We offer two types of somatic therapy, Brainspotting and EMDR. We sat down with our clinician Jane Troescher, LPC to understand more about it. Take a look at her interview below.

Brainspotting is a somatic therapy, which means we use body-based cues and techniques to access trauma in the body/brain. There is overlap with traditional talk therapy, but once the process gets going, you actually don’t have to talk at all for it to work! Brainspotting activates different parts of your brain than talking, which allows us the opportunity to work through issues in a more thorough way.

Brainspotting and EMDR both utilize eye movements to target trauma that is stored deep in the brain. The techniques are different, but the idea behind both is that trauma is stored deep in the brain, and we can access it through our eyes. Traditional talk therapy does not directly stimulate that part of the brain, so engaging in something like Brainspotting or EMDR can help you get to a deeper level of healing

.How does a Brainspotting session typically look? 

Before we start, I explain the Brainspotting process to my clients and assess whether they are willing, and ready to try this modality. Once we’ve decided to move forward, I will have my client identify what they want to work on, and we will focus on what kind of emotions and physical sensations come with it. Then, I will work with my client to find a “spot” and have them focus on it while utilizing bilateral stimulation. As my client is focusing on the spot and processing, I will periodically check-in with them and facilitate. Sometimes, when we complete the session, I will do a regulation technique with my client if they need some extra support with returning to the present and moving on with their day. Typically, we will verbally process their experience in the next session.

What kinds of things is Brainspotting good for treating?

Brainspotting is useful for addressing trauma, anxiety, pain management- pretty much anything that bothers you. It can also be used as a mindfulness technique to cultivate calm and positive feelings.

What is the research on Brainspotting ?

Most of the research on Brainspotting examines its use for PTSD and trauma. The research is limited compared to older modalities like CBT because research takes a lot of time and funding, and Brainspotting hasn’t been around for very long comparatively. In speaking with other therapists and clients who utilize this modality, there are overwhelmingly positive reviews of it. This, along with my own positive experience as a Brainspotting client, led me to seek training and incorporate it into my therapy repertoire.