What to Expect in a Brainspotting Session

If you’ve been on a journey of healing and therapy, you might have heard about brainspotting as a powerful tool for processing trauma, anxiety, and emotional blockages. 

But if you’re wondering, What is brainspotting? and whether it’s worth trying, you’re in the right place.

Brainspotting isn’t just another therapy buzzword—it’s a scientifically backed approach that taps into the brain’s ability to heal itself. 

Whether you’ve tried traditional talk therapy and want something deeper or you’re just curious about new healing techniques, let’s break it all down.

What is Brainspotting and How Does It Work?

Brainspotting is a type of therapy designed to help people access, process, and heal from deeply rooted emotional pain and trauma. It was developed in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, a psychotherapist who discovered that where you look affects how you feel.

Unlike traditional therapy, which focuses on talking through emotions, brainspotting works by using eye positioning to help the brain process unresolved trauma and emotional distress.

Here’s how it works:

1. A trained therapist helps you focus on a specific emotional issue or memory.
2. They guide your eyes to a “brainspot”—a specific point in your field of vision that activates a deep emotional response.
3. As you hold your gaze on that spot, your brain starts processing stored emotions, memories, and even subconscious trauma.
4. Your body naturally begins to release tension and stored trauma without you having to talk through it all.

This approach is based on the idea that trauma and emotional stress get stored in the subcortical brain, the part responsible for emotions and instincts. Brainspotting helps bring these stored emotions to the surface so they can be processed and released.

For many people, brainspotting provides deep emotional relief, sometimes faster than traditional therapy methods.

Is Brainspotting Therapy Legitimate?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: Brainspotting is backed by neuroscience and used by thousands of therapists worldwide. It’s particularly effective for trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, chronic pain, and even performance-related stress (like athletes or performers who need to overcome mental blocks).

Scientific research shows that it activates the brain’s neuroplasticity, meaning it helps the brain rewire itself and process unresolved trauma more efficiently.

Many people who have tried traditional talk therapy but still feel “stuck” find that brainspotting helps them break through mental barriers in a way that words alone cannot.

While it’s not as widely known as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), brainspotting is growing in popularity due to its ability to produce profound results.

Is Brainspotting the Same as EMDR?

No, but they are similar in some ways.

Both brainspotting and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) help process trauma by using eye movements to activate different parts of the brain. However, they work in different ways:

• EMDR uses guided eye movements to reprocess distressing memories by moving your eyes back and forth in a structured way. It involves more structured steps and often includes talking about the traumatic memory.
• Brainspotting is more focused on one specific eye position that taps into deep emotional processing. It allows for more free-form emotional release, often without the need for detailed verbal discussion.

If EMDR didn’t work for you, brainspotting might be a better fit because it’s more flexible and intuitive. Some people find it to be more effective because it allows the brain to naturally process emotions without overanalyzing them.

What Do You Feel During Brainspotting?

If you’re considering trying brainspotting, you might be wondering what the experience actually feels like.

Everyone’s experience is unique, but here’s what you might notice during a brainspotting session:

• Physical Sensations – Some people feel warmth, tingling, or a sense of heaviness in their body as emotions surface.
• Emotional Release – You might experience sadness, relief, or even tears as stored emotions come up. Others feel a deep sense of peace or clarity.
• Memories Resurfacing – Unexpected memories or emotions may come to the surface, sometimes even ones you didn’t realize were still affecting you.
• Body Relaxation – Many people report feeling a release of tension, almost like their body is letting go of something it was holding onto.
• Quiet Mind – Unlike talk therapy, where you’re actively thinking and analyzing, brainspotting helps quiet the overactive parts of the brain, allowing deeper healing.

After a session, some people feel emotionally lighter, while others may need time to process what came up. 

It’s important to allow yourself rest and reflection after a session, as deep emotional work can take a little time to integrate.

Final Thoughts: Should You Try Brainspotting?

If you’ve been struggling with unresolved emotions, trauma, or anxiety, brainspotting could be a game-changer. 

It’s an innovative, neuroscience-backed therapy that helps the brain process and heal in a way that traditional talk therapy often can’t.

Whether you’ve tried therapy before and felt stuck or you’re simply looking for a new way to process emotions, brainspotting offers a unique and powerful approach to healing. 

If you’re curious, finding a certified brainspotting therapist could be your next step toward emotional freedom and inner peace.