BRAINSPOTTING

My interest in Brainspotting began in an unexpected place: during a business coaching session.

One of my coaches gently called my attention to a critical part of myself that I hadn't realized was showing up in my work and creating barriers to my own growth. She suggested Brainspotting, and between that experience and the IFS work I was doing with my own therapist, something shifted for me in a profound way.

As someone who can sometimes struggle with embodiment, I hadn't experienced a therapeutic approach like this in a long time. I was surprised by how immediate my access to my nervous system felt. There was no pressure to make meaning, problem-solve, or interpret what was happening. Instead, I was invited to simply notice, observe, and exist—to trust my brain and body to do the processing and healing work they needed to do.

That experience was powerful and freeing for me. It also made me curious about what might be possible for my clients who, like me, can sometimes understand something intellectually while still feeling stuck emotionally or physically.

I immediately wanted to learn more. That curiosity led me to pursue Brainspotting training so that I could bring this approach into my own practice and offer my clients another way to access and process their experiences.

I don't believe there is one right way to do therapy. Some things are best explored through conversation, insight, and practical tools. Other experiences may benefit from slowing down, turning our attention inward, and allowing the mind and body to participate more fully in the process. Brainspotting is one of the tools I now have available to help you find what works best for you.

Brainspotting is a focused, body-based approach to therapy that can help people process difficult emotions, experiences, and patterns that may feel stuck or difficult to resolve through talking alone.

Brainspotting was discovered by therapist David Grand as he was practicing EMDR with clients. At its core is the idea that where we look can influence what we are able to access and process internally. During a Brainspotting session, specific eye positions are used to help identify and focus on areas of emotional or physical activation connected to an issue you want to work on. The process is less about analyzing or figuring something out and more about slowing down, noticing what is happening within you, and allowing your brain and body space to process the experience.

Talk therapy can be incredibly helpful. Being able to talk through our experiences, understand our patterns, and develop new ways of thinking can create meaningful change.

But sometimes, you can understand something intellectually and still feel stuck emotionally or physically.

You may know that a relationship wasn’t healthy, but still find yourself drawn back into the same patterns. You may understand where your anxiety comes from, but your body still reacts as though you’re in danger. You may have talked about a difficult experience many times and still feel like something hasn’t quite shifted. This is where a body-based approach like Brainspotting can offer another way of working.

Rather than relying primarily on words and conscious thought, Brainspotting invites you to notice what is happening in your body as you focus on a particular issue. This can help bring attention to experiences that may be difficult to put into words.

One of the central ideas behind Brainspotting is that where you look can influence how you feel and what you are able to access internally.

Have you ever been lost in thought and noticed yourself staring at a particular spot without really realizing it? Or noticed that looking in a certain direction brings up a particular feeling, memory, or physical sensation?

Brainspotting uses this natural connection between vision, attention, emotion, and the body.

During a session, we’ll begin by identifying something you’d like to work on and noticing how you experience it—not just emotionally, but physically. I may then guide you through different eye positions to help identify a “brainspot,” or a position that seems connected to the issue you’re working with.

Once we find a brainspot, you’ll gently hold your gaze there while noticing whatever happens internally. We may also incorporate bilateral music into your brainspotting session, which can help deepen processing for some people.

Rather than trying to force a particular outcome, I’ll provide a supportive, attuned presence while you allow your mind and body to process at their own pace.

Everyone experiences Brainspotting differently. Some people notice emotions, memories, images, thoughts, or physical sensations. Others experience subtle shifts that are difficult to describe.

You might notice changes in your breathing, tension or relaxation in your body, a sense of emotion coming up, memories you hadn’t been thinking about, or simply a feeling that something has shifted.

There is no “right” way to experience Brainspotting, and you don’t have to force yourself to remember or relive anything. You remain aware and in control throughout the process, and we work at a pace that feels manageable for you.

Sometimes the experience is powerful and emotional. Other times, it is quiet and subtle. Both are completely okay.

Our emotional experiences aren’t just thoughts. They can also show up physically—in our breathing, muscle tension, heart rate, energy, sleep, or other sensations in the body.

When we’ve experienced overwhelming stress or difficult events, our minds and bodies can sometimes continue responding even after the situation has passed.

We may find ourselves reacting strongly to situations that remind us of the past, feeling disconnected from ourselves, or experiencing patterns that we understand logically but have difficulty changing.

Brainspotting offers a way to pay attention to both the emotional and physical aspects of an experience. By slowing down and bringing mindful awareness to what is happening internally, we can create space for processing and change.

Brainspotting isn’t something you have to do on your own. The therapeutic relationship is an important part of the process.

I provide a calm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space while you remain the expert on your own experience. I won’t tell you what you should be feeling or what a particular sensation or memory means. Instead, I’ll help you stay curious about your experience and support you as you move through the process at your own pace.

For me, this relational aspect of therapy is essential. Feeling safe, understood, and supported can make it easier to explore experiences that may otherwise feel difficult to approach.

Brainspotting may be a good fit if you:

• Feel stuck despite understanding your situation intellectually

• Experience emotions or physical reactions that seem difficult to control

• Have experienced trauma or overwhelming life experiences

• Find that talking about an experience repeatedly hasn’t brought the relief you hoped for

• Want to explore a more body-based approach to therapy

• Are interested in understanding yourself and your patterns more deeply

Brainspotting isn’t right for everyone, and it doesn’t have to be. I use it as one of several therapeutic approaches and will always consider your needs, preferences, and goals when deciding what approach may be most helpful.

A Brainspotting session begins much like any other therapy session. We’ll talk about what’s happening in your life and what you’d like to work on.

If Brainspotting seems appropriate, I’ll guide you through the process of identifying a brainspot and then invite you to notice what happens as you stay with that spot. There may be periods of talking and periods of quiet. I’ll check in with you throughout the process, but I won’t ask you to analyze or explain everything you’re experiencing.

Depending on what you’re working on, I may recommend a 75-minute extended session to allow additional time for deeper exploration or processing.

The goal isn’t to make something happen. It’s to create the space and conditions for you to notice, process, and respond to your experience in your own way.

If you’re wondering whether Brainspotting might be helpful for you, we can talk about it during your consultation or in a therapy session. You don’t need to know whether it’s the “right” approach before you begin.

We can explore what you’re experiencing, what you’d like to change, and determine together what kind of therapy best fits your needs.