How Brainspotting Heals Trauma When Other Therapy Modalities Fall Short
Trauma can deeply affect the mind and body, creating lasting scars that influence a person’s ability to live a fulfilling life. Traditional therapies, such as talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) have helped many individuals confront their trauma. However, not everyone finds success with these methods. This is where Brainspotting, a relatively new therapeutic approach, has emerged as a powerful alternative for those who struggle to heal using conventional therapies.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a somatic-based therapeutic technique developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. It is rooted in the idea that the brain holds unresolved trauma in specific points in the visual field. By identifying and focusing on these "brainspots", therapists can help clients access and process trauma stored deep within the brain and body. The technique uses eye positioning to pinpoint areas of tension or emotional charge within the brain. These positions are believed to directly correspond with unresolved emotional states, often linked to traumatic events.
During a brainspotting session, the client is asked to focus on a particular spot in the therapist’s room, whether in-person or on video tele-health, usually by following their hand or a pointer. As the client locks their gaze on this spot, the therapist encourages the processing of associated emotions, sensations, and memories that arise. The theory behind brainspotting is that by accessing the trauma stored in these spots, a person can begin to heal at a deeper, more profound level than traditional therapies allow.
Why Traditional Therapies Don’t Always Work for Trauma
Traditional therapeutic approaches to trauma, while helpful for many, have limitations in terms of accessing the deep emotional and physiological roots of trauma. Talk therapy, for example, relies heavily on the client’s ability to articulate their emotions and thoughts verbally. While this can be beneficial for some, individuals with deeply ingrained trauma often struggle to put their experiences into words. Trauma, particularly complex trauma, can leave a person disconnected from their emotions, making it hard to express pain through language.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy, another common approach, focuses on challenging and changing negative thought patterns. While this can help reframe thoughts related to trauma, it may not fully address the underlying emotions and somatic experiences that contribute to PTSD or other trauma-related disorders. Similarly, EMDR, which has gained popularity as a trauma treatment, uses bilateral stimulation (such as eye movements) to help reprocess traumatic memories. However, some clients find that it’s not always as effective for those with more profound or chronic trauma, especially when the underlying physical sensations tied to the trauma remain unprocessed.
The Power of the Brain-Body Connection in Trauma Healing
One of the core reasons brainspotting may be more effective for some individuals is its focus on the brain-body connection. Trauma is not just a mental or emotional experience; it often becomes embedded in the body’s nervous system. The physiological responses to traumatic experiences—such as increased heart rate, muscle tension, or dissociation—are stored in the body and the brain. Brainspotting recognizes that these stored responses can be released by addressing the body’s physical sensations directly, rather than simply trying to talk through or reframe them.
Brainspotting taps into the primitive parts of the brain where trauma is stored. The amygdala, hippocampus, and other areas involved in processing emotions, memories, and sensory information are activated during brainspotting sessions. This allows individuals to access and process traumatic memories without the need for elaborate verbal descriptions, making it especially effective for those who struggle with verbalizing their trauma.
Additionally, the somatic aspect of brainspotting helps individuals process trauma that has not been fully integrated into their system. Rather than forcing a person to relive or recount the trauma, brainspotting allows for a more gentle and organic way of unlocking stored trauma and moving toward resolution. Clients may not even fully understand why a specific brainspot evokes emotion or memory, yet the healing process happens naturally as the body and brain work together to process the pain.
Why Brainspotting is Effective When Other Therapies Fail
For individuals who have tried traditional therapies with limited success, brainspotting offers a powerful alternative. This technique doesn’t solely focus on intellectual understanding or cognitive reframing of trauma. Instead, it facilitates an emotional release that may not have been possible through talk therapy or cognitive interventions alone.
Furthermore, brainspotting’s ability to access and address trauma stored in the body is particularly helpful for people with dissociative experiences or those who feel disconnected from their emotions. In many trauma survivors, the trauma response can be so overwhelming that it causes disassociation from the body and emotions. Brainspotting provides a way to reintegrate those fragmented parts of the self, helping the person feel more grounded and connected.
Finally, brainspotting’s emphasis on individual brainspots means that it is tailored to the unique experience of the person. Unlike one-size-fits-all approaches, brainspotting can be customized to each client’s needs, allowing them to access deep layers of trauma and process them at their own pace.
Conclusion
While no therapeutic approach works universally for everyone, Brainspotting offers a potent and promising tool for trauma healing, especially when other modalities have been ineffective. Its focus on the brain-body connection and its ability to access unresolved trauma in the brain’s deeper regions make it a valuable addition to the therapeutic toolbox. Whether a person has struggled with talk therapy, EMDR, or CBT, Brainspotting provides an alternative path toward healing that honors the body’s wisdom and the profound nature of trauma itself. For many, Brainspotting offers a way to release pain, find emotional resolution, and reclaim their sense of self.
To connect with a trained Brainspotting therapist, book your free 20 minute consultation to see if Brainspotting may help you.