What is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a physiological approach with psychological benefits. Through the use of eye movements and corresponding dual-attunement with the therapist, the patient can access subcortical processes in the brain.

“It is hypothesized that a Brainspot is the activity in the subcortical brain in response to focused activation and eye position. When a brainspot is activated, the deep brain appears to reflexively signal the therapist, beyond the awarenesss of the client’s neocortex, that an area of relevance has been located.” - David Grand, PhD, Developer and Trainer, Brainspotting Trainings, Inc.

Frame of the Brainspotting Session

The constructed frame for a Brainspotting session is both relational and neurobiological. The therapist holds space for the client with an attuned, mindful and compassionate presence to support the healing process. The client can begin to safely access a level of activation in the body, corresponding to a relevant eye position or gaze. A pointer may be used in the session to direct the client’s eye position, or Brainspot, or the client may simply find a comfortable gaze spot, where they come to land organically.

The Goals of a Brainspotting Session

The goals of a Brainspotting session are to activate subcortical regions in the brain, allowing access to traumatic stores and unprocessed experiences, which mobilizes the system to begin its healing journey. Ultimately, the client will be able to access their own body based resources to help them ground, center, and come to a place of improved nervous system regulation.

Brainspotting is a less Directive Therapy

Rather than the therapist leading with directives or specific interventions, the session centers around allowing clients to explore where their processing goes. Therefore, it is important to remembers that there is no “wrong” way to do Brainspotting, it can be a largely nonverbal process, or it can be verbal. The therapist holds space for the client with attunement, as they allow for the client’s subcortical brain to access stored memories, and the therapist supports the client in processing material as it organically unfolds.

Length of Brainspotting Sessions

If you would like to incorporate Brainspotting sessions into your therapy process, we can integrate the Brainspotting session into the therapy organically. There is not a required length for a brainspotting session, although allowing more time to process and access material can be helpful. Brainspotting can happen as a full hour-long session, or it can occur as part of a processing session, integrated with other modalities for treatment. Brainspotting can also be offered in an “intensive” form, which will allow clients to choose and specifically dedicate larger blocks of time to resolving their issues.

References:

Larson, Kelly, LMFT. (2025). Brainspotting, Phase One Training. [Power Point Presentation]. Pacific Brainspotting Trainings, PCTC, San Diego, CA.

Grand, David, PhD, Developer and Trainer, (2025). Phase One Training Manual. Brainspotting Trainings, Inc., Bellmore, NY.