Why Brainspotting Therapy Is Becoming Popular for Treating Anxiety

Considered among the most common problems of mental health, anxiety disorders affect millions of people, children included. Talking about it therapy and drugs are the standard treatments; however, these treatments rarely solve deeper causes of anxiety, especially when trauma resides in muscle memory of the body.

This is where Brainspotting Therapy (BSP) has begun to generate attention. Brainspotting was developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003 based on the premise that the brain is naturally capable of healing itself, and that brainspotting can assist with that process. BSP is becoming better understood for helping individuals with anxiety and PTSD, depression, emotional dysregulation, and more, because it is able to work with the brain-body connector.

In this post, we will look at some of the ways in which Brainspotting Therapy is proving to be a great choice for anxiety treatment, how it works, and why so many therapists and clients are utilizing it.

What is Brainspotting Therapy?

Brainspotting Therapy is a mind-body therapy that assists in identifying and releasing unprocessed trauma that is stored in the subcortical brain (where the part of the brain that controls survival responses is located). Brainspotting does not require talking about or reliving a traumatic experience as traditional talk therapy does. Brainspotting works with eye positions (called brainspots) that are associated to emotional and physical pain and held in the body.

In-session, the therapist will point to a space with a pointer and guide your gaze to process the brain spots. This is a way to locate an effective source of healing through parts of the deep brain that allow you to recover from anxiety and other conditions.

Why Brainspotting Therapy Is Getting More Popular 

1. It Addresses the Source of Anxiety

Brainspotting does not only alleviate symptoms, but find a way to heal anxiety at its root. Anxiety can often be rooted in traumatic experiences that may be hidden from awareness; even if hidden, they still can affect behavior and emotions. Brainspotting allows the nervous system to process the trauma and release it from the body, which can reduce chronic anxiety responses.

2. It Works When Talking Cannot

Talk therapy is incredibly beneficial, but may not address anxiety rooted in traumatic events. For some people, talking through the trauma may be difficult, or even triggering. Brainspotting instead, goes around the cognitive brain to the subcortical brain where trauma memories reside in a nonverbal way. This allows people who are unable or unwilling to discuss their traumatic memories a proactive way to address anxiety.

3. It Is Gentle and NonInvasive

Unlike other trauma therapies which involve discussing and reliving painful events, Brainspotting is gentle. Clients won't engage in trauma, nor have to explain their trauma in detail. Brainspotting allows clients to focus on bodily sensations and emotions while being directed to brainspots, making therapy much more accessible for clients with anxiety.

4. It Can Produce Rapid, Lasting Results.

Many clients indicate they make progress more quickly when using Brainspotting as compared to other forms of therapy. Certainly, everyone is different, and some may not achieve relief for quite a number of sessions, yet others can find relief in a few. Results can also potentially be long-lasting, due to the fact that trauma is being processed neurologically.

5. It Can Be Used Alongside Other Treatments.

Brainspotting Therapy is versatile and compatible with: 

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  
  
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  
  
• Medication management 
  
  
• Mindfulness and somatic practices 

This makes it a popular option for therapist and treatment centers.

6. Increasing Evidence and Professional Usage.

There is increasing visibility and knowledgability about Brainspotting, and an increase in clinical research is providing legitimate evidence to continue to use it as a treatment. More therapists are receiving training in BSP which is increasing access for the therapist and their clients.

How Brainspotting Therapy Helps with Anxiety

Here is a typical Brainspotting therapy for anxiety, broken down into a step by step process:

1. Creating Safety and Trust:- 

The therapist creates a safe space and talks about the triggers for the client’s anxiety while also making sure the client feels grounded.

2. Finding a Brainspot:-

The therapist will use some form of pointer to help the client identify an image that will be related to their emotional distress. Alternatively, they can also help them with gaze guidance.

3. Body Sensing:- 

The client identifies body sensations or emotional tension while focusing on their brainspot.

4. Processing and Releasing:- 

Once the client settles on a brainspot, the brain begins the processing and releasing of traumatic memories that build up to lessen anxiety.

5. Integrating and Processing:- 

The therapist helps the client integrate the experience and usually this leads to better emotional regulation.

Benefits of Brainspotting Therapy for Anxiety=

• Profound emotional healing without an emphasis on reliving the trauma in detail

• Better regulation of the nervous system and less fight-or-flight response

• Improved resilience and self-awareness

• Lessening of anxiety symptoms, such as panic attacks, worry, and intrusive thinking

• Non-verbal, which is extremely useful for people who have trouble verbally expressing themselves

• Applicable to all ages including children and adolescents

FAQ's Regarding Brainspotting Therapy for Anxiety 

1. Is Brainspotting the same thing as EMDR?

No. Both techniques share some fundamental similarities in that they are based on eye position and both address the processing of traumatic experiences. However, Brainspotting is more adaptable and client-led. It is often described as being less structured than EMDR.

2. How many sessions will I need to relieve my anxiety?

It varies depending on the individual. Some may experience relief after 3-6 sessions. Others, may require ongoing therapy depending on the quantity of trauma experienced.

3. Will Brainspotting work if I cannot remember the trauma?

Yes!! Brainspotting does not rely on having conscious memory in order to work. It processes trauma held in the body and brain without having clear memory of the traumatic event. 

4. Is Brainspotting gentle enough for kids and teens?

Yes! Brainspotting is a gentle approach and can be adapted for children and adolescents who experience anxiety and/or trauma.

5. Can Brainspotting be done online?

Yes! Many therapists are offering online Brainspotting with great success.

Concluding Thoughts

Brainspotting Therapy is rapidly becoming one of the most discussed therapeutic modalities related to anxiety - and rightly so! By focusing on trauma embedded in the brain, Brainspotting offers relief that talk or medication therapy alone cannot provide.

At WisHope Recovery, we are dedicated to exploring the most innovative and research-supported interventions to help people obtain meaningful recovery from anxiety. We appreciate the great potential of Brainspotting to assist in our mission to support mental health, healing, and the achievement of a life free of anxiety.

If you are struggling with anxiety or know a loved one struggling with anxiety, it may be worth considering Brainspotting Therapy as part of your healing journey!