What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a therapeutic modality based on the principle that “where you look affects how you feel.” Dr. David Grand initially developed Brainspotting in 2003. The goal of BSP is to bypass the neocortical, rational, thinking area of the brain and access the emotional and body-focused areas of the brain. This means that a person doesn’t have to filter or organize their narrative the same way they would if they were to talk about an experience. Have you ever noticed that you look off to a certain point when recalling a grocery list or the answer on a test? A similar process occurs when processing other information, like experiential or emotional. Brainspotting makes use of this natural phenomenon through its use of relevant eye positions.
How does it work?
Brainspotting gives the client and the therapist access to both mental and somatic processes, by starting with the emotional information and then connecting that data to logic and rationale. This is referred to as a “bottom up process.” When a Brainspot is stimulated, the deep brain appears to reflexively signal the therapist that the source of the problem has been found. These natural reflexes help the trained BSP therapist locate unprocessed information and then focus, process and release a wide range of emotionally and body-based conditions. BSP taps into and harnesses the body’s natural self-scanning and self-healing ability.
By soothing and regulating higher order thinking areas of the brain, clients are able to move through a felt sense of an experience or belief structure in a more supported way. Brainspotting allows clients to step into these spaces with a non-judgmental awareness. Clients self direct the resolution of long standing triggers and outdated narratives by using focused mindfulness. This EMDR-derived intervention allows the client to process activating content from a grounded and authentic place.
Brainspotting Resources: For more information, please visit https://www.southeastbrainspottinginstitute.com/Videos
For personal testimonial, please meet Ted. During my training, I was fortunate to engage in a Q&A with Ted McAlister, a former client of the Brainspotting process. He was generous enough to share his time and his experience with BSP. This video is entirely self directed to help other people decide if Brainspotting might be a useful tool in their personal wellness based work. I highly recommend watching his first hand account on YouTube here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1CarDqVy2M&feature=youtu.be
I have several copies of David Grand’s book in my office and I am more than happy to lend one to you. If you’re curious, his book is called Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change.