Counselor, LPC, MHSP
Brain Spotting
Rewire trauma. Unloop anxiety. Improve focus and concentration. Unblock creativity. Enhance performance.
In 2006 at an EMDR training with David Grand, PhD in Philadelphia several therapists told me about Brain Spotting. They described Brain Spotting as a new, exciting bilateral therapy that uses eye position and the mindful practices of noticing, nonjudgment, and curiosity. This therapy allows the brain to rewire naturally without the trauma of repeatedly recalling the memory. Brain Spotting therapy focuses on the eye position connected to where we feel the emotions or body sensations of a memory most intensely. The brain rewires naturally as the body unwinds.
"In the midst of difficulty lies opportunity."
- Albert Einstein
Brain Spotting and Trauma Resolution
I noticed that many of my trauma clients were suffering with chronic pain, migraines, and autoimmune issues. As I attended trainings with trauma experts, such as Bessel Van de Kolk, MD, I learned more about the importance of reconnecting with the body and allowing the body to heal, unwind or complete action in therapy. Brain Spotting reprocesses trauma in the mind and the body. The client and I connect in a compassionate, mindful process while following the client’s body sensations, emotions and thoughts without getting caught up in our stories like “I’m not enough.” We stay open and curious. Throughout the session my client listens to the bilateral nature sounds or music through headphones. These soothing sounds support the client and calm the nervous system during the processing. Then I help my client find the eye position where he or she feels the emotion or sensation most intensely. It’s important to learn to trust our emotions and our body’s sensations as we learn to ride the natural ebb and flow of difficulty and ease without resistance. This takes time. Strong, difficult emotions and memories can feel overwhelming. It’s important to do this work slowly in a supportive environment starting with a small part of the emotion. I believe that healing happens most effectively and completely in relationship. I enjoy creating a connection with clients that is supportive, sincere, confidential and appropriately pacing. Brain Spotting therapy is mindful practice and it is relational, respectful, and natural. Finally a therapy that addresses the whole client: mind, body, and soul!
“What you resist, persists.”
Brain Spotting for Performance Enhancement, Chronic Pain
Brain Spotting is very effective for people who want to develop managerial skills, navigate conflict effectively, or speak to groups with more assurance and ease. It is not just a therapy tool to resolve what troubles us. Brain Spotting is an excellent resource tool that helps the brain learn and practice positive skills and self-talk. It’s especially helpful for actors with performance issues and writers, painters and other artists who have creative blocks. I’ve enjoyed helping athletes prepare for competition with Brain Spotting or resolve past injury trauma or harsh coaching that undermine their confidence. This bilateral work is a powerful tool to modify our relationship with physical pain, fear, anger, prolonged sadness, and shame. It provides a safe container to practice accepting how we feel and identify the stories we create to fill in the blanks of what we don’t know. Carl Jung taught us the universal truth, “What you resist, persists.” This truism applies to habits, addictions, and emotions. Denying, covering up or ignoring our feelings, cravings or habits strengthens their hold on us. Our brains are designed to notice what is wrong and to notice what we fear. When we are unsure we imagine what we fear.
Brain Spotting and Self-compassion
Brain Spotting therapy supports us as we learn to become more aware of our patterns, change our self-talk, and become more self-compassionate. According to Kristin Neff, PhD’s research we are much more successful changing our self-defeating behaviors when we learn to be more compassionate and nurturing to ourselves. This is such encouraging news in the wake of the failure of the self-esteem movement. Surveys show that the self-esteem building programs of the past have increased the rates of narcissistic and bullying behavior. Studies also show that those well-intended teachings fueled many people’s inner self-critic. The ever harsh inner self critic fuels our anxiety, depression, and self-hate and lowers our energy to create and engage with the world. Brain Spotting is a tool that allows us to naturally transform our old patterns and habits creatively into personal resources.