When it comes to treating trauma, negative emotions, or disruptive thoughts, it’s important to explore how the brain and body process them. At Gateway Counseling Center, we believe that some treatments should go beyond talk therapy and include a more holistic path towards healing. This is why our therapists sometimes incorporate treatments like Brainspotting Therapy (BSP) when helping clients overcome mental health challenges. 

Brainspotting Therapy was developed by David Grand, Ph.D. in 2003. Prior to the birth of Brainspotting Therapy, Grand was utilizing Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy) to treat patients that were going through both psychological and physical pain. These two psychotherapies inspired his exploration into the placement of our eyes in relation to how our emotional experiences are stored in the brain. 

He discovered that a locked eye position can create a sense of relief when dealing with a memory or emotion related to trauma. This sparked extensive research into the visual field and how it can access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. Today, thousands of therapists and mental health counselors have been trained to use Brainspotting Therapy to help patients all over the world work through trauma, negative thoughts, difficult emotions, and even physical pain and suffering. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Brainspotting Therapy

Brainspotting Therapy is a fairly new psychological approach that can treat a host of mental health issues. Because it’s not as commonly used as traditional forms of psychotherapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, many patients have questions about how Brainspotting Therapy works. Below you’ll find some frequently asked questions and answers about Brainspotting Therapy to help you gain a better understanding of what it involves. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our counseling center to speak to a therapist about Brainspotting therapy to see if it’s right for you. 

What conditions does Brainspotting Therapy treat?

Brainspotting Therapy can be used to treat a number of conditions. The unique thing about Brainspotting Therapy is that it can be utilized to treat both psychological and physical pain. In fact, Grand used this form of therapy to treat 9/11 survivors that were experiencing both emotional and physical trauma. Because of the effectiveness and efficiency of their healing, Grand knew that he had tapped into something truly powerful. Brainspotting Therapy has been used to treat conditions such as:

• Trauma
• PTSD
• Phobias
• Anxiety
• Depression
• ADD and ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorders)
• Addiction 
• Chronic fatigue
• Impulse control 

If you’ve been suffering from emotional and/or physical pain that stems from a traumatic event, or if you’re dealing with any of the conditions mentioned above, contact our counseling center today to learn more about how Brainspotting Therapy can help you. 

How should I prepare for Brainspotting Therapy?

In order to prepare for a Brainspotting Therapy session, all a patient needs to do is be able to identify the trauma, experience, event, thought, emotion, or condition that is causing psychological or physical discomfort. Having an understanding of the source or cause of the suffering is important because a patient will be asked to focus on this issue while the eye position (or “brainspot”) that’s connected to the problem is discovered. Beyond that, there’s no other preparation necessary. If you’d like to learn more about how to feel prepared for your first Brainspotting Therapy session, contact our office to speak with a therapist. 

What happens in a Brainspotting Therapy session?

A typical Brainspotting Therapy session will involve a few important steps. First, you’ll be asked to identify the reason why you’re seeking treatment. Being able to identify this source of pain, trauma, emotion, disturbing thought process, or negative experience is key. Next, you’ll be asked to focus on the problem and reflect on how it makes you feel. For instance, does focusing on your trauma make you feel angry, anxious, stressed, frustrated, or sad? How does your body react to these thoughts? As you’re maintaining focus on the source and following the end of a pointer with your eyes, your therapist will attempt to identify the fixed eye position and brainspot that’s associated with the issue. By activating this area of the brain through the fixed eye position, a therapist can help a patient begin to release trapped images, thoughts, emotions, that have been preventing them from moving through the healing process.

To learn more about what happens in a Brainspotting Therapy session or to schedule your first session, contact or call Gateway Counseling Center in Boynton Beach today at 561-468-6464.

How many sessions of Brainspotting Therapy will I need? 

The number of Brainspotting Therapy sessions will depend on the patient and their circumstances. Some patients may need frequent sessions over a longer period of time, while others may experience results in just a few sessions. If you’re interested in trying Brainspotting Therapy and you’d like to learn more about the timeline of this healing technique, contact our counseling center today to speak with a therapist. 

What are the benefits of Brainspotting Therapy?

There is a wide range of benefits that a patient can receive from Brainspotting Therapy. The specific benefits will differ depending on the patient and the source of suffering, but overall, patients who commit to this technique may experience:

• Relief from any physical pain that was caused by the trauma. 
• A positive change in mood, energy, and perspective. 
• More willpower to tackle addiction or compulsive actions. 
• An ability to prevent themselves from getting stuck in chronic negative thoughts and emotions. 
• Have healthier relationships with friends and family.
• Find joy in everyday activities. 

To hear more about the many benefits of Brainspotting Therapy, contact our office today. 

How can I find Brainspotting Therapy near me? 

If you’re looking for a safe and welcoming environment to try Brainspotting Therapy contact Gateway Counseling Center in Boynton Beach. Our mental health counselors would be happy to explain how this method works and how it can benefit you. Brainspotting Therapy has helped thousands of patients all over the world heal from trauma, overcome negative thinking processes, and control physical reactions to distressing thoughts and emotions. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive and holistic approach to healing, contact Gateway Counseling Center today to learn more about Brainspotting Therapy.