Brainspotting Therapy for Adults in the Bay Area
About Brainspotting
"Trauma teaches us that healing is not about forgetting; it's about embracing our scars and using them as reminders of our strength and resilience"
— Dr. Christine A. Courtois
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting (BSP) is a type of therapy that uses fixed eye positions to access and process emotional or physical trauma. It's rooted in the idea that where a person looks can reveal points in the brain where unresolved trauma is stored, and by focusing on these "brainspots," individuals can release stored emotions and physical tension.
Brainspotting uses the power of focused gaze to access and release deep-seated emotional and physical trauma, helping individuals move towards healing and emotional regulation. It’s a non-invasive, medication-free reset for your limbic system — the part of the brain that holds emotional and survival responses long after an experience has passed. Brainspotting can help you release stuck patterns, regulate your system, and create space for lasting change.
Brainspotting is a great option for someone looking to…
Level up their mental health, experience greater clarity and calm in everyday life, and believe in the inherent power of the body and brain to heal itself
Step outside of the weekly therapy model and explore a more flexible approach to therapy
Experience a deeper level of change — and is highly motivated to do so, especially when generally overwhelmed or after multiple addiction or mental health relapses, where insight and urgency often align
Experience a focused, powerful alternative to long-term talk therapy
Brainspotting gently and powerfully guides your nervous system to heal from within by encouraging your mind and body to work with one another - without the need for endless talking.
How Brainspotting (BSP) works:
BSP is one of a few types of emerging therapies focusing on the brain-body connection, including Somatic Experiencing and EMDR. Traditional talk therapy is known as a “top-down” therapy. That is, traditional therapy tries to solve problems by working with the conscious mind and “talking through it”.
These brain-body therapies are known as “bottom up” therapy, which aims to release the physical stress in the body while also releasing emotional stress found in the body. The process essentially allows your body to speak and allows for different, deeper clarity to come forth for further exploration.
Brainspotting therapy works on the midbrain, which controls the parts of the central nervous system that are responsible for processes such as vision, hearing, sleep, and motor control. When trauma occurs, this part of the brain typically goes into freeze mode to conserve resources for the body to get into defense mode.
This is necessary for example if you’re handling an immediate threat, but can leave you in a stuck state emotionally or physically if the shock state isn’t metabolized through your system.
The Brainspotting process of tuning in and metabolizing through:
Identify a Brainspot:
A therapist guides the client to focus on an issue and then move their eyes to find a specific spot in their visual field that activates a strong emotional or physical response.Focusing on the Brainspot:
Once identified, the client maintains focus on the brainspot, allowing their brain and body to process the associated trauma or emotional experience.Processing and Release:
Through this focused attention, the brain begins to process the trauma, often leading to a release of stored emotions and physical tension.Dual Attunement:
The therapist monitors the client's physical and emotional responses throughout the process, guiding them through the experience.Healing and Homeostasis:
Brainspotting aims to help the nervous system return to a state of balance and calm, promoting healing and emotional well-being.