Understanding Brainspotting Therapy for Trauma and neurodivergence
- Kaitlyn Boudreault
- Mar 14
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 29
Did you know that trauma is a relatively common experience?
In fact, one survey found that almost two-thirds (63%) of adults reported experiencing at least one traumatic event during their lifetime.
Years ago, people may have shrugged off these traumatic experiences and gone without support.
Fortunately, mental health challenges have come to the forefront recently as something that deserves treatment and support. This has laid the groundwork for increased research on trauma.
This increases society’s understanding of trauma. As society’s understanding of trauma increases, so do the therapeutic approaches used to treat it.
One of these innovative approaches to therapy is Brainspotting therapy.
This approach combines and uses aspects of EMDR, mindfulness, and brain- and body-based therapies to address PTSD or CPTSD and other mental health challenges that may contain a trauma-related component, such as anxiety or depression.
If you or someone you know has experienced trauma or is currently experiencing these symptoms, Rebecca at Blue Sky Learning could support you with Brainspotting therapy.
.
Use this blog as a brief guide to understanding what trauma is, how Brainspotting therapy can help, and some common coping strategies that accompany this approach.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that occurs as a result of witnessing or being a part of a traumatic event.
These traumatic events may include military combat, natural disasters, serious accidents, sexual assault, or other violent personal assaults.
It is important to note that not everyone who goes through these events will experience PTSD. This mental health condition is only diagnosed if the symptoms last for months and interfere with your day-to-day functioning at work or school.
PTSD Versus CPTSD
PTSD and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) can both occur after experiencing traumatic events.
But there is a core way in which these two conditions differ.
While PTSD occurs after experiencing a single short-term traumatic event, CPTSD is a mental health condition that develops after prolonged long-term exposure to multiple traumatic events.
How Does the Body React to Trauma?
Your sympathetic nervous system is responsible for responding to stress and danger. It reacts by confronting the situation (fight) or by fleeing the situation (flight).
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for rest and digestion.
When the nervous system is regulated, it responds to danger and the need for rest and digestion at the appropriate times.
But trauma dysregulates the balance between these two systems. This means that your body has a difficult time recognizing a real threat or perceived danger. Your nervous system remains on high alert on a consistent basis and has a difficult time going to rest.
In addition to your body staying in a consistent fight state, you may also experience dorsal vagal shutdown as a result of trauma.
This involves a freeze trauma response, which occurs when your body enters a frozen state in response to stress or trauma.
Your parasympathetic nervous system will trigger a shutdown response and shutdown automatic processes to conserve energy. An extended shutdown of automatic processes can cause you to become unable to move.
What Do Trauma Symptoms Look Like?
Usually the symptoms of PTSD occur within the first three months of the traumatic event.
PTSD symptoms can be broken down into four categories:
Intrusive Memories: Experiencing unwanted, distressing memories of the traumatic event.
Avoidance: Avoiding thinking about things related to the event or visiting places associated with the event.
Mood and Thinking Changes: Feeling emotionally dumb or constantly feeling like you are to blame for what happened.
Physical and Emotional Behavioral Responses: You may be always on guard or alert, which can cause a rapid heartbeat and other physical symptoms of distress. You may experience periods of anger or irritability, and sleeping and concentrating may also be difficult.
CPTSD includes the standard symptoms of PTSD and encompasses a broader range of symptoms, including:
A distorted self-perception
Challenges maintaining healthy relationships with others
A sense of disconnection
Difficulty in trusting others
Intersectionality and Trauma
Trauma can occur to anyone. However, an intersectionality approach recognizes that there are unique experiences of trauma that can intersect with various aspects of a person's identity.
For instance, members of LGBTQ+, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color), and other marginalized communities often face unique forms of trauma.
This can include experiences such as:
Discrimination: A person may experience hate based on a specific aspect of their identity, including their sexual orientation, gender identity, or race. This can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.
Family Rejection: LGBTQ+ individuals may face rejection from the community when they come out. This can lead to feelings of isolation and trauma related to exclusion.
Treatment for Trauma
Treatment options include psychotherapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medications (such as antidepressants), and support groups.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with PTSD, seeking help from a qualified mental health professional is important.
What Is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting therapy is a therapy approach designed to help you process trauma, emotional distress, and psychological challenges.
Developed by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting allows you to access and process stored emotional and psychological issues by utilizing specific eye positions to facilitate the process.
Unlike traditional talk therapy, Brainspotting focuses on bodily sensations and emotional responses to tap into the brain's natural healing abilities.
How Does Brainspotting Work?
Brainspotting operates on the principle that our emotional experiences are often stored in the body and can show up as physical sensations.
During a session, a therapist helps you identify "brain spots," specific eye positions that correspond to areas of emotional pain or trauma.
By focusing on these spots while concurrently attuning to your feelings and sensations, you can access memories and emotions and facilitate healing.
What Does a Brainspotting Session Look Like?
A typical Brainspotting session begins with the therapist and client discussing the individual's current experiences and emotional challenges.
After establishing a rapport, the therapist guides the client to identify specific topics or feelings they wish to explore.
Once a target is chosen, the therapist asks the client to focus on particular eye positions (brain spots) while noticing sensations and emotions that arise.
The therapist remains attuned to the client's state and provides support and guidance as the individual processes their experiences.
Sessions may involve periods of silence, which allow for deep introspection and healing. The process can vary in length depending on the individual’s needs and comfort level. This is tailored to each individual for optimal healing.
Why is Brainspotting Therapy Used?
Traditional talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy usually involve talking to a therapist to process your trauma. This may invoke distressing memories that are difficult to process through talk therapy alone.
Brainspotting therapy is often used as an alternative approach when clients find limited success with these traditional talk therapies.
Instead of having to go through the narratives of your trauma, Brainspotting therapy will focus on using eye movements to help you reprocess your painful memories so they don’t have as much control over you.
What Is Brainspotting Used For?
Brainspotting therapy can help individuals with a variety of psychological and emotional challenges. Usually it is used for the treatment of trauma disorders, such as PTSD and CPTSD.
However, Brainspotting may also be of support for other situations or conditions that may involve a trauma-related component, including:
Self-harm behaviors
Addiction
Emotional dysregulation
Brainspotting therapy can also be particularly relevant for neurodivergent individuals that experience conditions that are often concurrent with trauma, including ADHD and autism.
Research suggests that adults with ADHD are nearly seven times more likely to have PTSD than those without (Antshel et al., 2013). Moreover, over 40% of autistic individuals showed probable PTSD within the last month (Rumball et al.).
Brainspotting may help with neurodivergent traits such as rejection sensitive dysphoria and sensory overload.
The Benefits of Brainspotting Therapy
Brainspotting therapy offers several distinct benefits, making it a valuable addition to the therapeutic toolbox:
Provides a comforting alternative method for clients
Emotional Release
Feelings of relief and emotional liberation
Enhanced Emotional Regulation
Fosters a deeper integration of mind and body
Can be tailored to meet the unique needs of clients
Brainspotting Versus EMDR
Both Brainspotting therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are used to treat trauma and conditions related to trauma.
However, the concepts behind and approaches to treating trauma differ among these two therapeutic modalities.
Brainspotting is centered on brain spots, while EMDR is a more structured method using bilateral stimulation. The choice between the two may depend on an individual's preferences, the nature of their trauma, and the expertise of the therapist.
Strategies for Navigating Brainspotting Therapy
While engaging in trauma therapy, some intense emotions may occur from time to time. This is where coping strategies come into play.
Coping strategies support you with effectively managing distressing emotions that may occur during brainspotting therapy. These techniques include:
Practicing Grounding Techniques: Help with emotional dysregulation related to CPTSD. One useful grounding technique is the 5-4-3-2-1 method, which encourages you to focus on your senses to bring you back to the present moment. By engaging your senses, you anchor yourself in the here and now, reduce intrusive thoughts related to trauma, and foster a sense of safety and calm.
Using Creative Expression: Creative activities can serve as an outlet for emotions tied to CPTSD. They offer a valuable means of expression for those who may struggle with verbal communication. These creative outlets allow individuals to process their feelings in a non-verbal way and reduce the pressure that often accompanies discussing traumatic experiences directly. They can also provide a tangible way to explore complex emotions and thoughts.
Establishing a Routine: Provides structure and reduces anxiety levels. Incorporate self-care activities and designated relaxation times to create predictability. Include time for hobbies or physical movement to allow for creative expression. This approach can help manage stress by creating a greater sense of control. You could also share your routine with a loved one for encouragement to stick to the plan.
Journaling: Keeping a journal can aid in processing emotions and thoughts following Brainspotting sessions. Writing about experiences after therapy can foster insight and self-reflection.
Self-Care Practices: Engaging in self-care routines, such as meditation, exercise, and healthy eating, can create a sense of stability during difficult times.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): PMR is a technique that involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body. This aids in the release of stress. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Start with your toes, tensing them for 5 seconds, then release and feel the difference. Gradually move up through your body, tensing and relaxing each area. After completing the process, take a few moments to notice how relaxed you feel.
Self-Compassion Breaks: This practice involves recognizing your struggles, responding with kindness, and validating your emotions. To practice this, pause and take a few deep breaths. Acknowledge your suffering by saying, “This is a moment of suffering.” Recognize that suffering is a common human experience: “Many people feel this way.” Treat yourself with kindness. Place a hand on your heart and say something soothing.
Mindful Walking: Be aware of sensations as you walk. This practice helps ground you in the present moment. To practice this: Choose a safe space to walk. Begin walking at a comfortable pace. Focus on the sensation of your feet making contact with the ground. Pay attention to your surroundings as you walk. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to the sensations of walking and your breath.
Radical Acceptance Visualization: Radical Acceptance is a dialectical behavior therapy skill that involves completely and totally accepting reality as it is, without fighting it. First, identify what you need to accept. Write it down if that helps. For example, "I lost my job." Find a comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. Begin with a few slow, deep breaths. Inhale deeply, filling your lungs, and exhale slowly and completely. Visualize yourself in a calm place.
TIPP: Try DBT TIPP skills (Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing, Progressive Muscle Relaxation-PMR). Temperature: Change your temperature by placing ice on your wrist or having a warm bath. Intense Exercise: A short burst of intense exercise, like jumping jacks for 1 minute. Paced Breathing (4-7-8): Inhale through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale through your mouth for a count of 8. For PMR, check the other slides.
How to Find a Brainspotting Therapist
To find a qualified Brainspotting therapist, it’s essential to focus on several key factors.
Start by researching licensed mental health professionals who have undergone specific training. Check for experience related to trauma-informed care.
Additionally, consider seeking referrals from healthcare providers or friends who may have insight into qualified professionals.
Lastly, schedule a free consultation to ensure a good fit. Blue Sky Learning offers free 20-minute consultations with Rebecca for Brainspotting therapy.
Book a Free Consultation With Blue Sky Learning
Have you or someone you know experienced a traumatic event? Are you having a difficult time trying to cope with the symptoms related to trauma?
Or have traditional therapy approaches not worked for you?
For those interested in starting Brainspotting Therapy, book a free 20-minute consultation with Rebecca at Blue Sky Learning by emailing hello@blueskylearning.ca, calling 1 (437) 291-8807, or visiting the link below.
Sources:
Comments