What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy approach that helps individuals access and process experiences that may be stored beyond conscious awareness. Developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003, Brainspotting is based on the idea that "where you look affects how you feel."

During a Brainspotting session, your therapist helps identify specific eye positions, known as "brainspots," that may be connected to emotional experiences, body sensations, or unresolved distress. By focusing on these spots in a safe and supportive environment, clients are often able to process emotions and experiences that can feel difficult to access through traditional talk therapy alone.

Rather than focusing solely on thoughts, Brainspotting pays attention to the connection between the brain, body, and nervous system. Many clients describe it as a deeper, more experiential form of therapy that allows healing to occur at their own pace.

How Does Brainspotting Work?

Many difficult experiences are not only stored as memories. They can also be held in the body through emotions, physical sensations, stress responses, and nervous system activation.

In a Brainspotting session, you and your therapist will identify a focus area, such as a memory, emotion, body sensation, or current challenge. Using a pointer, your therapist will help you locate an eye position that appears connected to that experience.

As you maintain focus on that spot, you are invited to notice what arises internally without judgment. This process may help the brain and nervous system process emotions, reduce distress, and create new pathways for healing and regulation.

Brainspotting does not require you to share every detail of your experience. Many clients appreciate that they can engage in meaningful therapeutic work without having to repeatedly retell difficult stories.