Brainspotting taps into our bodies natural ability to accept, understand and process memories that are causing discomfort emotionally and physically. It is a mind-body tool that believes that where you look (a brain spot) can provide access to where this discomfort is stuck in your brain and body.
How is brainspotting used in counselling?
A brainspotting session looks like this:
-with your counsellor you decide the issue/problems/feeling you want to focus on
-your counsellor will ask you to find where you can feel this most strongly in your body
-they will then use a pointer and you will follow this with your eyes to find a place where the feeling is strongest, this is your brain spot
-you will then stare at this spot whilst listening to music
Focus on your internal, unconscious world
This provides you with the time to focus on your internal world. Normally we are paying attention to all the things going on around us. We need to do this to keep ourselves safe. Brainspotting provides a safe space to slow down, turn inwards and just sit with your own internal process. This activates the mind-body's natural ability to heal, to sit with these emotions, tolerate them, reflect on them, give them time and space and explore what is beyond them. Brainspotting accesses the midbrain and brainstem which is a non verbal part of our brain. This means you can release stuck or uncomfortable feelings and memories that you may not be able to explain. During a session you may not feel like speaking, you may only have sensations or images or you may talk a lot. Your counsellor will not be asking you lots of questions or talk very much. They will let you lead the work, go where you are taken. After the session, when you’ve stopped looking at the brainspot, there may be more discussion.
Release anxiety, worry, stress, pain, grief, depression
Brainspotting allows you to release the effect of trauma (negative experiences no matter how big or small) on your emotions, mood and physical body. Read my next blog to see how brainspotting worked for me.