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What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method assisting in identifying, processing and releasing core neuro-physiological sources of trauma, anxiety, depression, and cognitive function. Brainspotting is believed to work within the deep brain and the body through its direct access to the autonomic and limbic systems inside the body’s central nervous system.

 

This therapeutic technique, a variation of EMDR, is relatively new and under-studied, though it’s virtue has been much acclaimed clinically throughout the world since discovery and development by David Grand, PhD.

 

Because of low rates of study, this technique is not typically covered by insurance providers, as it is not yet considered an evidence-based practice. Another factor for consideration is that while sessions can be completed relatively quickly (sometimes in 20 minutes for children,) more complex situations sometimes require additional time. Kerry likes to carve out an hour and a half rather than the typical 53 minute session a third party payer will honor.

 

Kerry has incorporated this technique into practice as an effective complimentary approach to complex and single point trauma, as well as a tool to aid in anxiety, long term depression, complex grief, and situational problem-solving. Brainspotting can assist in re-processing traumatic memory, getting “unstuck,” and solving complex issues, both situational and interpersonal in nature. Some clients have reported better ability to attend to detail, think more clearly, and to adapt to stress.

 

Brainspotting can be used as an effective therapeutic intervention in the course of traditional talk therapy. Brainspotting treatment may be preferable to talk therapy or EMDR for those who:

 

  • Have difficulty opening up with a therapist or wish to remain nonverbal

  • Have complex sources of trauma or unidentified trauma

  • Would prefer a short course of treatment (typically 1-6 sessions)

  • Are feeling “stuck” in therapy or don’t feel they are making progress toward treatment goals

  • As an alternative to exposure therapy for OCD

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Research:

 

Corrigan, F., & Grand, D. (2013). Brainspotting: Recruiting the midbrain for accessing and healing sensorimotor memories of traumatic activation. Medical Hypotheses, 80(6), 759–766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2013.03.005

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Corrigan, F. M., Grand, D., & Raju, R. (2015). Brainspotting: Sustained attention, spinothalamic tracts, thalamocortical processing, and the healing of adaptive orientation truncated by traumatic experience. Medical Hypotheses, 84(4), 384–394. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2015.01.028

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D’Antoni, F., Matiz, A., Fabbro, F., & Crescentini, C. (2022). Psychotherapeutic Techniques for Distressing Memories: A Comparative Study between EMDR, Brainspotting, and Body Scan Meditation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1142. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031142

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Foo, Mariana & Yudistiro, Ryan. (2023). A Study of brainspotting therapy in PTSD using 18FDG brain PET scan to evaluate glucose metabolism changes. Konselor. 11. 126-135. 10.24036/02022114121548-0-00.

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‌Horton, L. M., Schwartzberg, C., Goldberg, C. D., Grieve, F. G., & Brdecka, L. E. (2023). Brainspotting: A treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder. International Body Psychotherapy Journal, 22(2), 57–72.

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Nibel, Hildegard. (2024). Bifocal multisensoric interventions BFMS in Psychotherapy. 10.13140/RG.2.2.18251.77609.

Pushpam, Deva & Frank, J.. (2023). Brainspotting Therapy. A and V Pub Journal of Nursing and Medical Research. 2. 91-92. 10.52711/jnmr.2023.23.

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Talbot J, de la Salle S, Jaworska N. A Paradigm Shift in Trauma Treatment: Converging Evidence for a Novel Adaptation of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. 2023;68(4):283-285. doi:10.1177/07067437221142283

 

Teofilo, JR. (2022). The preliminary efficacy and clinical applicability of Brainspotting among Filipino women with severe posttraumatic stress disorder. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. 24. 54-64. 10.12740/APP/143015.

 

Brainspotting may offer similar effects as the yoga technique of Trataka, or fixed gaze meditation: Here is a research article explaining research on this practice:

 

Raghavendra, B. R., & Singh, P. (2016). Immediate effect of yogic visual concentration on cognitive performance. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 6(1), 34–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2014.11.030

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