Brainspotting is a research supported therapeutic technique that was discovered in 2003. In two short decades, it has been proven to be help heal trauma symptoms. It is considered "gentler" by many when compared to EMDR therapy and the results are just as impressive. Brainspotting accesses the deeper parts of the human brain where trauma is stored. By using this technique, clinicians can help access material that needs to be released by the brain and body. Clients have noticed impressive results and are able to release negative symptoms more effectively than talk approaches. Brainspotting is a specialized training that requires additional training and study. ​Here is a video showcasing Brainspotting Therapy. ​​​​
How Does Brainspotting Work?
It's not nearly as complicated as the name suggests! And it's non-invasive. The tagline for Brainspotting is "Where You Look Affects How you Feel". The easy explanation is that by looking in certain eye positions, your brain can access what it needs to in order to heal.
The more scientific explanation is that the therapist will help identify relevant eye positions that can access the neural network that needs to be reprocessed. The ocular nerves have a direct path to the mid-brain, where trauma and our emotions are stored. It's an effective approach that helps release negative responses within the brain and helps to release trauma stored within the body. To learn more, please watch this video.
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What Can Brainspotting Address?
Brainspotting can address just about anything. It was originally discovered in an EMDR session in 2003 by David Grand, PhD. The client was a professional athlete that was experiencing performance blocks. With Brainspotting, she was able to clear those blocks and perform at a higher level. Brainspotting can be used for much more than performance blocks. It has been heavily researched for trauma, anxiety, depression, and so much more. Clients have found that they are able to feel more relaxed, less agitated, and experience improvements in their daily functioning after Brainspotting sessions.
Reprocess Experiences such as
* Single Incident Traumatic or Stressful Events
* Ongoing Traumatic or Non-Traumatic Stress
* Complex Trauma
* Childhood Trauma
* Substance Abuse
* Compulsive Behaviors
* Much More
Working Towards Goals:
* Weight Loss
* Creative Performance
* Sports Performance
* Much More
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Can Brainspotting Help Me With Severe PTSD?
Absolutely. Brainspotting is gentler than other trauma modalities and can help resolve trauma symptoms much quicker than talk approaches. Whether your trauma is lifelong, ongoing, or a single incident, Brainspotting can help address symptoms.
I've been in Therapy for Years. How is Brainspotting Different?
Traditional talk therapy approaches target the frontal lobe of the brain. This part of the brain is great for decision making and helping you read this text. However, the frontal lobe is not connected to the part of the brain that holds the trauma (trauma is stored in the mid-brain). Brainspotting therapy targets the mid-brain and helps release those parts that are holding the trauma symptoms.
What Makes Valley Counseling Center Different?
Valley Counseling Center has more Brainspotting trained therapists than any other agency in Nevada. And the most Certified Brainspotting Therapists in Nevada. Certification is a rigorous process that requires additional consultation and demonstrates that the clinician is an advanced Brainspotting practitioner. The founder of Valley Counseling Center, Samra Bastian, is the longest certified Brainspotting therapist in the state of Nevada. She is also the ONLY Brainspotting consultation in the state of Nevada. Samra regularly coaches emerging Brainspotting therapists in order to develop their Brainspotting skills and approve their eligibility for certification.