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Brainspotting(BSP) is a powerful therapeutic method that works by identifying, processing and ultimately releasing the underlying neurophysiological sources of emotional and physical pain, trauma, stress-related and other complex symptoms. In other words, brainspotting is a method which starts where most classic talking therapies end. BSP makes it possible to process experiences and address symptoms that are beyond the reach of our conscious mind and intellectual abilities.

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Brainspotting works directly on the deeper brain structures and body without the need to verbalise your problems all the time or analyse your experiences. It focuses directly on the underlying somatic (physical) / neurophysiological component of your complaint. Once this has been identified, a healing process automatically starts in the brain, which ensures that certain systems that have become out of balance are released and integrated.

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What is a brain spot?

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A Brainspot corresponds to an eye position that is linked to the emotional activation of an emotionally charged theme or traumatic experience in the brain. When someone talks about something, he or she is looking at a certain point. If the gaze (eye position) is held at that point, relevant areas in the brain become stimulated.

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Unprocessed information is stored in the brain and in the body in the form of “information capsules”. These information capsules can be reached via eye positions. By maintaining an eye position we bypass the cognitive areas of the brain and reach the deeper brain (limbic system) where it takes over self-regulating capacity. This initiates a profound body-specific integrating and healing process in the brain.

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How was Brainspotting discovered?

 

Dr David Grand discovered Brainspotting by chance while performing EMDR on one of his clients (a professional ice skater with performance anxiety).  He noticed that when he had the client make slow eye movements, she showed a striking eye reflex at the same point each time.  Intuitively, he kept his fingers still at this point (a 'brain spot') and then wondered what would happen.  The result was surprising to say the least.  After a year of working with EMDR, a lot of new things suddenly emerged at a rapid pace.  At the end of the session, the client felt that this way of working went a lot deeper than all previous work with EMDR.  After all, the client's performance problems seemed to have found a final solution.  Performing a “triple loop” – this client's last 'performance' obstacle – could now also be performed by the client without any problems.  David Grand then tried his findings on other clients, including many EMDR therapists, and developed and refined the method over some years.