Brainspotting:
a different way to get unstuck
Ever had a feeling that you just can't talk your way out of? You know exactly what happened, you've analyzed it from every angle, and... it still sits there in your body, heavy and unmoved.
That's usually a sign you need something other than more talking. That's where Brainspotting comes in.
Brainspotting was developed in 2003 by psychologist David Grand, who originally trained in EMDR (you may have heard of that...the therapy that uses eye movements to help process trauma). While working with clients, Grand noticed something simple but powerful: certain eye positions seemed to unlock stuck emotions and memories far faster than talking ever could. He kept following that thread, and Brainspotting was born.
So what actually happens in a session?
It's a lot less complicated than it sounds. Together, we find an eye position, a "brainspot" that connects to whatever you're working through. You hold your gaze there while I stay closely tuned in, both to you and to what's happening in your body. No deep analysis required, no need to explain everything in words. The idea is that your brain already knows how to heal itself; we're just helping it find the right access point and get out of its own way.
People often describe it as feeling something shift; a knot loosening, a memory losing its sting, a thought finally landing differently. It can be intense, but it's also surprisingly gentle compared to digging through things verbally for months.
What it's helpful for
Brainspotting isn't just a trauma tool, even though that's where it started. In practice, I use it for:
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Processing difficult or traumatic experiences and emotions:
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the big ones and the smaller, sneakier ones that still affect you more than you'd expect.
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Working through low mood and heavy emotions:
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when sadness, anxiety, or that stuck feeling won't budge no matter how much you've already thought it through.
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Physical pain and tension:
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A lot of pain has emotional roots, and Brainspotting often reaches places that purely physical treatment can't.
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Boosting performance and creativity:
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this one surprises people. Athletes, performers, and creatives use Brainspotting to clear out the mental blocks (self-doubt, performance anxiety, old failures on a loop) that get in the way of doing their best work.
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Is it similar to EMDR?
Yes and no. They share the same roots, and both work with the idea that where we focus our attention and our eyes can unlock things that talking alone can't reach.
Brainspotting tends to be a bit more flexible and less structured, there's no fixed protocol to follow, which means sessions can adapt closely to what you, specifically, need in that moment.
Curious whether it's a fit for you?
You don't need a dramatic backstory to benefit from this. If something feels stuck, in your mind, your body, or your work...it might be worth exploring together! Feel free to reach out and we can talk through whether Brainspotting makes sense for what you're dealing with.