Understanding Brainspotting: A Healing Approach for Complex Trauma

As a therapist and a fan of metaphors, I invite you to take a moment after you read this and try this exercise. I want you to think of something that is bothering you. Now, not something that you feel is going to really upset you, rather something that, when you think of it, you get annoyed.

Now, take a moment, and look to your right. Let your body and mind go where it needs to go and gaze where it feels called to. While you’re doing this, think of that annoying thing. How did that feel to your right? Now, repeat these steps in the center, and to your left.

Did your body feel this annoying thought? Where did you feel it most? That’s a brain spot.

Brainspotting is a neurobiologically based tool, rooted in “where you look affects how you feel.” What brainspotting postulates is that when you hold your gaze at a certain point in your visual field, you can access deeper emotional and physiological processing within the brain.

The brainspot is thought to correspond to the subcortical brain—the part of the brain where trauma and stress are stored. This contrasts with many talk therapies, which focus more on the cortical, or thinking, part of the brain. By accessing this subcortical area, Brainspotting allows for deeper, more direct processing of trauma.

Complex trauma, often arising from prolonged and repeated exposure to traumatic events (e.g., childhood abuse, neglect, or domestic violence), leaves an indelible mark on both the mind and body. It can affect one’s emotions, sense of safety, and ability to regulate stress.

Brainspotting offers a unique way to access and process these stored traumas by bypassing the cognitive brain and directly addressing the emotional and physiological components of trauma.

As a trauma specialist, it is important to me to offer the latest and most efficacious modalities.

While Brainspotting is a relatively new therapeutic approach, initial research and clinical reports suggest it is highly effective for those with complex trauma and other psychological conditions. Here’s what we know about its efficacy:

1. Promising Research

Studies have shown that Brainspotting has a significant impact on reducing trauma-related symptoms, such as anxiety, PTSD, and depression. A 2022 study showed that patients who underwent Brainspotting reported notable improvements in their emotional regulation, symptom reduction, and overall well-being compared to those who received traditional therapy. Linked below, you may find some articles with the most up-to-date research on Brainspotting.

• Report of Findings from the Community Survey September 2016 – Newtown CT

• Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for accessing and healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation

• A Paradigm Shift in Trauma Treatment: Converging Evidence for a Novel Adaptation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

2. Clinical Anecdotes

I have witnessed some of the most profound healing with my clients utilizing Brainspotting. Being able to see a client go from not being able to tolerate talking about an event, to allowing themselves to have the emotional release, has been so inspiring. Bearing witness to someone finding closure for the first time ever has been one of the coolest experiences I’ve had the honor to be a part of.

I, myself, can attest to it as well. In the process of becoming certified, you, as a practitioner, have to go through the protocols of Brainspotting yourself. Since completing these protocols and supervisions, I have found a more enlightened version of myself that has been able to heal more wholly. In turn, this has allowed me to be a more attuned provider.

3. Addressing a Range of Issues

While it’s particularly effective for complex trauma, Brainspotting is also used to treat a variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, addiction, chronic pain, and performance blocks. This modality allows the therapist and client to heal multiple core beliefs and wounds in a meaningful way.

4. A Neurobiological Approach

Brainspotting’s focus on brain-body connections is particularly appealing in an era where trauma-informed care is at the forefront of mental health treatment. Its efficacy is bolstered by its alignment with our understanding of how trauma affects the brain.

Brainspotting offers a deep and focused approach to healing trauma. For individuals who have experienced complex trauma and feel stuck in traditional talk therapy, Brainspotting provides a pathway for accessing and resolving long-held emotional pain. Its ability to connect the dots between the brain, body, and emotions makes it a powerful tool for both the client and therapist.

I strongly believe that Brainspotting has been a life-changing therapeutic experience for those who partake in it. I’ve witnessed it offer clients relief from the burdens of trauma and allow them to move forward in their healing journey.