Brainspotting and Trauma
Brainspotting is a technique developed in 2003 by David Grand.[1] The technique is based on the observation that the body’s physical response to a traumatic event coincides with a spot in the visual field.[2] Brainspotting is designed to help people access, process, and overcome trauma, negative emotions, and pain, including psychologically induced physical pain.[3] The technique is rooted in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), a psychotherapy treatment designed to alleviate symptoms caused by traumatic memories [1]. EDMR was developed by Francine Shapiro in the 1980s. It is an older and more established therapy than brainspotting. More empirical research has been conducted on EDMR and it has a larger body of professional support.
Brainspotting takes a relational and neurobiological approach to heal at the deepest level [3]. Brainspotting allows individuals to process and release psychological and somatic issues such as trauma, pain, and emotional stress [3].[4] It has also been shown to reduce physical pain and tension caused by physical symptoms [1]. Over 13,000 therapists have been trained in brainspotting world wide.[5]
Goals of Brainspotting:
Brainspotting is aimed towards three primary goals: (1) desensitizing triggers, (2) identifying underlying trauma, and (3) reprocessing distressing events.[6]
Desensitization:
Desensitization is the process by which emotional and physical responses to triggers are diminished. The process is meant to help individuals refrain from negatively reacting to stimuli in their environment. For instance, veterans with PTSD developed from combat often react irrationally to loud noises resembling gun fire or explosions, like backfiring cars.
Identification:
The identification process attempts to pinpoint the underlying cause of negative over-reactions. Often times, the underlying issue is a traumatic event that occurred in the individual’s past. The event may either have been repressed and forgotten or perceived in a way that causes the individual not to realize its connection with his emotions. Despite its harmful and lasting effect on their psyche, many individuals do not realize this connection because they do not think of the event as traumatic. The unresolved trauma then manifests itself in the form of obscure beliefs about oneself that also need to be addressed.
Reprocessing:
Reprocessing is the method by which the brain is rewired to release the distressing memory. This release is what allows the troubling symptoms to dissipate and allows the individual to move forward.
How Does Brainspotting Work?
Dr. Grand discovered that where you look affects how you feel. When visually scanning our surroundings for information, we also scan our brains for thoughts, ideas, and emotional responses as well as repressed memories and feelings related to trauma {6}[7]. Brain activity organizes itself around the position of the eyes.[8] The term “brainspot” refers to the focal point or position of the eyes that correlates with an area in the brain that holds a traumatic memory. This point is the place where the trauma became fixed and is the source of the negative emotions. An individual can have multiple brainspots.
The brainspot is targeted to help process the traumatic experience. Before processing can occur, the brainspot must be located. Practitioners are able pinpoint the brainspot by observing an individual’s reflexive response in their eyes or body, such as changes in breathing, twitches, or yawns. Therapists locate brainspots by using a pointer aimed at specific points in space to slowly guide their patient’s eyes across their field of vision. Practitioners then ask their patients to also focus on something causing them emotional distress. During this process, patients will simultaneously listen to bilateral sounds. It is the therapist’s job during this procedure to become attuned to their client’s needs; this process is called dual attunement. It requires the therapist to form a deep relational connection to their client.
Therapists may use a “resource brainspot” to ground a person who becomes too distressed. Resource brainspots correlate with feelings of support, which can alleviate the intensity of processing when needed.
Brainspotting acts as a stimulant to the body’s natural ability to heal itself from trauma.[9] Together, the client and practitioner observe and process the trauma. Healing immediately begins in the unconscious as the trauma is released.
ADVANTAGES:
Brainspotting is superior to other forms of trauma therapy in that it reaches areas of the brain that are generally unable to be accessed with traditional approaches. It is a short-term, and thus less costly, treatment that often produces positive lasting results. Moreover, brainspotting does not require trauma survivors to rehash distressing events. Additionally, brainspotting can be used to address a broad range of disorders unrelated to trauma.
Benefits:
Individuals treated with brainspotting experience various benefits from the treatment, including:
- Alleviation of anxiety and emotional distress
- Inner peace, relief and joy from finally resolving past trauma
- Reduction in negative and irrational beliefs
- Improved sleep
- Greater resilience
- Improved coping skills and ability to handle stress
- Improved concentration
- Enhanced creativity
- Improved energy levels
- Improved self-esteem
- Decrease in somatic symptoms
- Decrease in impulsive tendencies
Conditions eased with brainspotting:
Brainspotting was originally developed to treat individuals with PTSD. The technique has become increasingly recognized as effective in treating a wide array of psychiatric disorders and physical issues. Conditions that may benefit from brainspotting include:
- PTSD
- ADHD
- Addiction
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Phobias
- Panic attacks
- Impulse control problems and disorders
- Anger management issues
- Bipolar disorder
- Grief and loss
- Emotional blocks
- Stress
- Negative self-esteem
- Compulsive behaviors
- Surgery recovery
- Unresolved trauma
- Trauma relating to:
- Sexual abuse
- Accidents or injuries
- War
- Natural disasters
- Medical treatments or interventions
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic pain
- Headaches
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Asthma
- Strokes
- Performance anxiety
- Dyslexia
Non-clinical Applications of Brainspotting
Brainspotting is also used by practitioners to help individuals solve non-clinical issues. These include:
- Improving athletic or academic performance
- Enhancing spiritual awareness and connection
- Increasing the benefits of mediation
- Enhancing creativity
- Improving public speaking skills
Limitations on Brainspotting:
Brainspotting is still a fairly new procedure. Although a large number of people have reported positive results from undergoing brainspotting treatments, the efficacy of the treatment in comparison to others is unknown. This is due to a lack of studies conducted on the approach. Nevertheless, brainspotting is gaining popularity amongst both patients and practitioners.
[1] https://www.drdiane.com/about/our-approach/therapies/brainspotting/
[2] https://www.tripleimpact.nl/fileadmin/Brainspotting_Corrigan_Grand_2013_medical_hypotheses.pdf
[3] https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/brainspotting-therapy
[4] http://www.authenticityassociates.com/brainspotting/
[5] https://brainspotting.com/
[6] Addiction NUMBA 7
[7] https://www.addiction.com/a-z/brainspotting/
[8] FOUR authenticity
[9] Drdiane (1)