What is Brainspotting (BSP)?
Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy designed to help people process and heal from trauma, anxiety, stress, attachment wounds, and other emotionally distressing experiences. Developed by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting is based on the understanding that where we look affects how we feel and can provide access to experiences that may be stored deep within the brain and nervous system.
Many difficult experiences are not fully processed through thinking and talking alone. Trauma, chronic stress, and emotional pain can become stored in the body, influencing how we feel, react, and relate to ourselves and others. Brainspotting helps identify and process these experiences by using specific eye positions, known as "brainspots," that are connected to emotional and physical activation.
During a Brainspotting session, we work together to identify a focus area and locate an eye position that corresponds with what you are experiencing internally. By maintaining attention on that brainspot in a safe and supportive therapeutic environment, your brain and body are given the opportunity to process, integrate, and heal experiences that may have remained unresolved.
Try it for yourself with this activity:
Think of the thing that made you proudest of yourself in the past year. Seriously, think about it!
What was it?
Odds are that you changed your eye position, unconsciously, when you were trying to access that memory. This is a real-time example of how ‘where we look affects how we feel’ (and what we have access to, deep in our memory).
Frequently Asked Questions About Brainspotting
What Can Brainspotting Help With?
Brainspotting may be helpful for:
Trauma and PTSD
Childhood trauma
Attachment wounds
Anxiety and panic attacks
Chronic stress and overwhelm
Grief and loss
Relationship difficulties
Low self-esteem
Emotional regulation challenges
Performance anxiety
Distressing life experiences
What Does Brainspotting Feel Like?
Every person's experience is unique. Some people notice emotions, memories, body sensations, or insights emerging during a session, while others experience a gradual shift over time. Unlike traditional talk therapy, Brainspotting allows you to access deeper parts of the brain and nervous system that may not be easily reached through words alone.
Can Brainspotting Help with Trauma?
Brainspotting is particularly effective for trauma because it works directly with the brain and body rather than focusing solely on cognitive understanding. Many clients find that Brainspotting helps reduce emotional distress, increase self-awareness, improve emotional regulation, and create a greater sense of calm, resilience, and connection.
Is Brainspotting Right for Me?
If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, emotionally reactive, or impacted by past experiences, Brainspotting may be a helpful approach. Whether you are seeking support for trauma, anxiety, attachment wounds, or personal growth, Brainspotting can help you access your brain's natural capacity for healing and change.
If you are interested in Brainspotting in Victoria, BC, I invite you to book a consultation to learn more about how this approach may support your healing journey.