INTRODUCTION:

Brainspotting is a powerful, focused treatment method that works by identifying, processing and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional or body pain, trauma, dissociation and a variety of other challenging symptoms². This therapy was discovered in 2003 by David Grand, as an advancement of his work in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy³. Grand had observed a client getting stuck in one spot and going deeper than ever before.

Brainspot:

The brainspot is the eye position that connects to the capsule containing the traumatic experience and brings it into explicit (conscious) awareness where it can be processed and healed⁴. As the brainspot is sustained with focused mindful attention, the information in the capsule is released and the body and mind move towards greater equilibrium. As unconscious memories are brought up into conscious awareness they can be dealt with and moved into a part of the brain that allows us to move forward in our lives¹.

The brainspot acts like a doorway into all the stored, stuck baggage from the past.

History of brainspotting:

Brainspotting, developed by David Grand, has roots in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing, relational and insight-oriented therapy. It supports the reprocessing of negative experiences and retrains emotional reactions. Both approaches include bilateral stimulation, compassionate attunement and brain-body processing⁶.

Process of brainspotting:

Brainspotting works on the theory that feelings from trauma can become stuck in the body, leading to both physical and mental ailments. It is believed that the brain’s memory of a particular trauma or incident is “reset” in the body and brain through Brainspotting. Grand described this “stuckness” as “frozen maladaptive homeostasis”⁵.

Brainspotting therapy works on the mid brain, which controls parts of the central nervous system that are responsible for processes such as vision, hearing, sleep and motor control. When trauma occurs this part of the brain goes into freeze mode to conserve resources for the body to be in defence mode⁶.

Benefits of brainspotting therapy:

· Reduction in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

· Reduces pain

· Reduces painful memories

· Reduces negative thought patterns

· Better sleep

· Increased energy

· Helps in relieving anxiety

· Relieves attachment issues

· Reduces substance use

· Relieves major depressive disorder

Brainspotting therapy session:

The client will start with some relaxing breathing and listening to bilateral sounds in headphones. A brainspotting therapist will guide. Once they settled into a more mindful state, the client will identify a place in the body where they feel the most distress and rank it on a scale of 1 to 10.

With the help of the therapist, brainspot will be identified i.e., the spot where the eyes naturally focus on when the physical discomfort is the strongest. The client will be guided to focus on this point by a pointer rod or the therapist’s finger, and they will help identify the spot where the client stuck and would like to work on it. The therapist may use either an “outside window” approach (the therapist observes the client’s gaze and recommends a point) or an “inside window” approach (the client is the one identifying the point to process)⁷.

The client and the therapist will hone in on the feelings coming up, as the client stick with this one area of the body. The client will then take some time to process the whole experience of what came up and what it may mean.

At the end of the session, the client will again rate the level of distress which will be lower than it was when started. Some people will feel a sense of release mentally and physically. At the end of the session, the client may feel exhausted and more emotional⁸.

After brainspotting, the therapy continues to work during the hours, days and weeks to follow. Expect to continue to feel the unwinding and unfolding of the process as the mind and body integrate the experience. Brainspotting therapy lasts for about six sessions, which may take up to eight or ten sessions.

Brainspotting therapy online:

Brainspotting is very effective online over the telephone or video session. The benefits are:

· The convenience and comfort of being at own space

· The flexibility to work with a specialist certified in Brainspotting which is not available in own area

· The ability to work with a brainspotting practitioner of own choice that has been referred

· Saving time and energy traveling to and from appointments

Limitations of Brainspotting:

Though a large number of individuals report positive results from brainspotting treatments, this form of therapy is still relatively new, and further research will likely be of benefit. It is difficult to compare the efficacy of brainspotting to other approaches because few studies have been done on this particular approach⁹. Brainspotting is still increasing in popularity among therapists and people seeking treatment, but it is still not as well-known as other treatment approaches¹⁰.

CONCLUSION:

Brainspotting gets to the root cause of trauma, emotional issues and addictions. It is one of the most effective therapies for changing unhealthy habits, healing trauma and resolving emotional issues. People report having deeper and more profound releases with brainspotting as compared to other brain-based, body based and traditional types of therapy. It is a valuable resource in the treatment of a wide range of medical, physical and psycho-emotional issues and symptoms encountered by health professionals.

REFERENCES:

1. https://brainspotting.com

2. https://brainspotting.com/about-bsp/what-is-brainspotting/

3. https://www.verywellmind.com/brainspotting-therapy-definition-techniques-and-efficacy-5213947

4. https://www.authenticityassociates.com/brainspotting/

5. Grand D. Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change. Sounds True; 2013.

6. Terpou BA, Harricharan S, McKinnon MC, Frewen P, Jetly R, Lanius RA. The effects of trauma on brain and body: A unifying role for the midbrain periaqueductal gray. Journal of Neuroscience Research. 2019; 97(9):1110-1140. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.24447

7. Hildebrand A, Grand D, Stemmler M. Brainspotting – the efficacy of a new therapy approach for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in comparison to eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2017; Vol 5: No 1 (2017). https://doi.org/10.6092/2282-1619/2017.5.1376

8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306987715000493

9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030698771300114X?via%3Dihub

10. https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/brainspotting-therapy

Received on 06.02.2023 Modified on 25.05.2023

A and V Pub J. of Nursing and Medical Res. 2023; 2(3):91-92.

DOI: 10.52711/jnmr.2023.23