Brainspotting Therapy
Brainspotting Therapists
Serving Arizona & Florida
Why Brainspotting?
Brainspotting allows you to process unresolved issues, transform unwanted habits, breakthrough addictions, heal pain, forgive and release hurts, regulate your nervous system and let go of unwanted patterns. It can be helpful to identify areas you would like to work on and heal. You do not have to have specific memories or incidents in mind, but rather, simply be aware of the patterns or issues you want to work on.
How Effective Is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting therapy is a highly effective treatment for a range of emotional, mental and stress related issues such as depression, anxiety, addictions, ADD/ADHD, OCD, phobias, unhealthy habits and performance anxiety.
There are a few key reasons why Brainspotting treatment is an effective approach. First, trauma and stress activate the most primitive part of our brain that rely far more on our sensory and emotional experiences than on our rational, cognitive ones. In fact, the primitive brain communicates more through our unconscious mind than it does our conscious mind. This is why we tend to have a hard time letting go of stressful issues just by talking about our them, the most common approach. We have to access our subconscious mind and sensory awareness in order to fully let go of trauma and stress.
Brainspotting therapy is a powerful treatment that reaches the primitive part of our brain where trauma is stored. For example, it was identified as the most effective therapies for individuals coping with the trauma of the Sandy Hook school shooting.
How Effective Is Brainspotting Online?
Brainspotting is very effective conducted online via a telehealth video session. There are many benefits to doing online Brainspotting such as:
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The convenience and comfort of being in your own space
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The flexibility to work with a specialist certified in Brainspotting that may not be in your area
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The ability to work with a Brainspotting clinican of your choice that has been referred
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Saving time and energy traveling to and from appointments
Mindful Attunement & Polyvagal Theory
According to Matthew Lieberman, author of the book Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired To Connect, our need for connection is said to be even more important than our need for food and shelter. This notion echoes early studies in psychology showing that social isolation and neglect cause significant mental and physical decompensation and mortality risk.
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Polyvagal Theory, based on the work of neuroscientist Steven Porges, demonstrates that as evolved mammals our ability to engage socially shifts our physiology and allows for processing of traumatic energy and memories. Social connection activates the healing power of our vagus nerve to repair from the residue of trauma especially as related to the fight, flight, freeze, collapse, or appease nervous system responses.
The understanding that trauma happens inside of a relationship causing a break in attachment and trust, means healing involves reviving the attachment pathway. The power of attunement and compassionate presence are at the heart of Polyvagal Theory and interpersonal neurobiology. Brainspotting’s success hinges upon an individual experiencing the safe, mindful attention of the practitioner.
According to Robert Scaer, author of The Trauma Spectrum, “Brainspotting is based on the profound attunement of the therapist with the patient, finding a somatic cue and extinguishing it by downregulating the amygdala [a brain structure responsible for noticing threat and holding memories of threats].”
Does Brainspotting Unearth Things That Will Make Me Uncomfortable?
Brainspotting allows you to access deeply stored mental, emotional and physical trauma, so yes, it can be a little uncomfortable, but not terribly so.
As Brainspotting therapists, we provide a safe, compassionate and mindful attention to allow you to feel completely supported during and after your emotional process. You can stop the process at any time you wish.
Most people we have worked with find Brainspotting a relief, as it helps you resolve emotional issues and feel empowered even if it’s challenging or a little uncomfortable.
How Will I Know Brainspotting Is Working?
You will feel a shift in your mind and body during the Brainspotting process regarding the issue that you are working on.
Most people feel a shift in sensation, emotions, physical charge, thoughts, insights and even memories. We will check in on how you are doing and the shifts that are occurring.
Why do Brainspotting With Us?
As Brainspotting practitioners, we have gone through the process of being fully trained to support you in dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, performance or stress-related issues using brainspotting.
We’ve conducted many Brainspotting sessions and it is one of our favorite strategies to use. We have found it works best when combined with other mind-body techniques which we are also trained in such as EMDR, polyvagal therapy, breathwork, ego state or parts work, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.