Brainspotting
A focused approach that supports processing difficult experiences through attention and body awareness.
Brainspotting is a therapeutic approach developed by David Grand that uses the visual field to access and process subcortical brain activity associated with difficult experiences and stuck emotional patterns. It is based on the idea that where you look affects what you feel, and that specific gaze positions can help access and process material that is held beneath conscious awareness.
A focused, body-guided approach for processing difficult experiences and stuck patterns.
What to expect: Sessions are typically 50–60 minutes. The practitioner will help you identify a relevant issue and then locate a 'brainspot' — a gaze position associated with the activation. You hold the gaze on that point while the practitioner holds the field with you. Processing often happens through sensations, images, emotions, or memories that arise. The pace is set by your system. Some people notice significant shifts in 3–5 sessions; others work with specific issues over many months. Check in with your practitioner regularly — after every few sessions — about what is moving and what is not. A good Brainspotting practitioner will revisit your goals openly.
Good fit for: You want to work with something specific that feels held in the body, You are open to a less verbally-structured process, You have performance blocks or creative inhibitions, You have tried talk therapy and feel something remains unprocessed
Explore for: Difficult experiences or patterns that feel stuck or hard to talk through, Performance anxiety — athletic, artistic, or professional, Emotional reactivity that feels larger than the current situation warrants, Feelings of being blocked, frozen, or unable to move forward, When standard talk therapy has not fully addressed deeply held experiences
Not the right fit if: You need significant verbal support and reflection, You are in acute crisis, You are not comfortable with a body-awareness based approach, You prefer fully structured, protocol-based methods
How to choose a practitioner: Look for a practitioner trained through the official Brainspotting training program (Phase 1 minimum, Phase 2 preferred) Ask whether they integrate Brainspotting into a broader clinical practice Choose someone who can clearly explain the process and what to expect
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