Brainspotting: A New Tool for Artists, Performers, & Creatives
I’m excited to announce that I am officially offering Brainspotting as a service and part of my therapeutic approach. I just had the wonderful experience of completing an intensive training, allowing me to call myself a “Brainspotting Practitioner.” Not only have I had the chance to see it’s result as a therapist, I have also had the opportunity to see it as a client too! I was drawn to Brainspotting for many reasons, but in particular, for it’s application to artists dealing with creative blocks or performance issues. While other therapeutic approaches can be adapted with ease to help creatives (in fact that is exactly what I do!), Brainspotting is one of the few that puts artist issues at the forefront.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a unique therapeutic approach that helps clients heal from trauma, emotional distress, and other mental health challenges. It bypasses traditional cognitive techniques and aims to work directly with the brain's neural pathways. By identifying and processing emotional material through focused mindfulness, Brainspotting allows clients the opportunity rewire their responses to trauma, anxiety, and other distressing emotions.
Brainspotting was developed in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, a psychotherapist who originally used Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to treat trauma. While working with clients, Dr. Grand noticed that certain eye positions seemed to correlate with emotional and physiological shifts in clients’ bodies. The premise behind Brainspotting is that our brains and bodies store emotional experiences, including trauma, in a way that affects our overall well-being. Those familiar with the book The Body Keeps the Score may be familiar with the brain/body trauma connection.
What Conditions Can Brainspotting Help With?
Brainspotting has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, including:
Trauma and PTSD: It is particularly useful for processing past traumatic events, both recent and long-term, that may be contributing to mental health challenges.
Anxiety and Stress: Brainspotting can help individuals release anxiety stored in the body and mind.
Depression: By addressing underlying emotional conflicts, Brainspotting can alleviate some depressive symptoms.
Addiction: People struggling with addiction can benefit from Brainspotting, as it can uncover and help resolve underlying traumas contributing to addictive behaviors.
Performance Issues: Many athletes, musicians, and performers use Brainspotting to overcome mental blocks and enhance performance.
Chronic Pain: The technique can also assist in alleviating physical pain by addressing the emotional sources that often manifest as chronic pain.
Brainspotting vs. Other Therapies
While similar in some respects to techniques like EMDR, Brainspotting is distinct in its approach. Rather than using rapid eye movements to process trauma, Brainspotting works with the brain’s natural ability to process emotional material by simply focusing on eye position and sensation. It is a gentler approach for those who may find other therapies too intense or confronting. Additionally, Brainspotting can be more flexible than traditional talk therapies in that it doesn’t require extensive verbal processing. Some clients find this aspect of Brainspotting appealing because it allows them to process trauma at their own pace and without the need to fully relive the traumatic event in detail. This element is key to trauma informed care, as we want to empower survivors of trauma and give them back their agency.
Is Brainspotting Right for Me?
In my practice, I emphasize the importance of individualized care. I do not believe in a “one size fits all” approach, and encourage experimentation in the therapy process, so that we can find what works for you. Brainspotting is one approach or tool to consider, as it has proven to be helpful for many who are struggling with unresolved emotional issues, creative blocks, trauma, and stress. If you have been feeling stuck in emotional processing, Brainspotting may offer a new pathway to healing.
For more info on Brainspotting, check out their official page here!
