By Nicole Garcia, PhD

As we celebrate Mental Wellness Month and the start of the new year, it’s the perfect time to explore innovative approaches to mental health care. At our practice, we are passionate about offering cutting-edge treatments that help children, teens, and adults overcome life’s challenges. One such approach is Brainspotting, a powerful therapeutic modality designed to access and process deeply rooted emotional and physical experiences as well as release blocks to reach your personal goals.

What Is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting (BSP) is a brain-body-based therapy developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. It uses the connection between eye position, emotions, and the brain’s processing centers to uncover and resolve hidden traumas, emotional pain, and behavioral patterns. The technique is grounded in the principle that “where you look affects how you feel.” By identifying specific points in a person’s visual field (referred to as “brainspots”), Brainspotting allows the therapist and client to access parts of the brain where unprocessed trauma or distress may be stored.

How Does Brainspotting Work?

During a Brainspotting session, the therapist helps the client identify a brainspot by using a pointer or guiding the client’s gaze. The brainspot is often associated with a physical sensation, emotional response, or memory. By focusing on this point while maintaining a calm and supportive environment, the brain’s natural healing mechanisms are activated, allowing for the processing and release of emotional pain.

Brainspotting engages the brain’s subcortical structures, bypassing the more analytical parts of the brain. This allows clients to work through issues on a deeper, more intuitive level. Many individuals find Brainspotting to be a gentle yet profound way to achieve emotional healing and growth.

What Can Brainspotting Help?

Brainspotting is versatile and effective for a wide range of concerns, including:

• Trauma and PTSD: Resolving the effects of traumatic experiences, including childhood trauma and abuse.
• Anxiety and Depression: Reducing symptoms and helping clients regain emotional balance.
• Chronic Pain and Physical Symptoms: Addressing the emotional and psychological roots of physical discomfort.
• Performance Anxiety: Enhancing performance in academics, sports, and creative endeavors.
• Attachment and Relationship Issues: Improving interpersonal relationships and emotional connection.
• Grief and Loss: Supporting clients in processing and healing from significant losses.

Brainspotting is suitable for people of all ages, including children and teens. Its adaptability and client-centered approach make it an excellent option for those seeking lasting relief from emotional or physical distress.

How to Get Started with Brainspotting

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, now is the perfect time to take action. Mental Wellness Month reminds us of the importance of seeking support when we need it. Our practice offers Brainspotting as part of our comprehensive mental health services for children, teens, and adults.

We are here to help you or your loved ones on the journey to healing and growth. Reach out to us today to learn more about how Brainspotting and our other therapeutic services can support your mental wellness.