How Brainspotting Heals Trauma

The brain and body record an experience as traumatic depending on how they understand and process the experience. A situation can be traumatic for one person yet not affect another who went through the exact same situation. The brain and body’s understanding, recording, and response to the situation are the crucial components of how trauma is formed or bypassed. When an event imprints itself on the brain and body as traumatic, it is recorded differently than other events or memories. The brain and body store information they deem to be crucial as warning signals for avoiding similar traumatic events in the future. Unfortunately, the warning detection system in the brain and body can become overly sensitive and become activated in situations where it is not needed. This over activation often leads to many traumatic symptoms. Brainspotting (BSP) seeks to slow down and reset the brain and body’s warning systems so that they are effective in spotting legitimate threats but no longer on constant alert.

BSP is a body focused trauma reprocessing tool that allows the brain and body to understand each other and work together again. BSP teaches clients to learn, accept, and acknowledge the sensations, numbness, or pain in their bodies and pay attention to that information. This information coming from the body is not random. Investigating and understanding it is the path to healing. Learning to understand body sensations through non judgemental observations helps clients to connect body responses to emotions and memories, experiences, or triggers.

Once a client understands the relationship between their body’s activated response and the brain’s stored information, healing can begin. While paying attention to their body’s activation, a client will locate a point with their eyes where they feel the most activated. On that point, information in the optic nerve is passing through the middle of their brain where memories and emotions are stored. When the body is activated and simultaneously, visual information passes through this subcortical area of the brain, the warning system can deactivate sensitive information. The brain and body are able to recalibrate through reexamining information and parsing out what truly warrants a protective response and what does not. The brain and body can separate the trauma timeline to realize that the event is past and the danger is no longer present. The brain and body can also revisit ideas and beliefs that came from the traumatic experience. Many of these beliefs that have reshaped the client’s life can be dislodged.

This process of examining and disconnecting pieces of information then becomes a portable skill the client carries with them. They now have the ability to examine, regulate, and deactivate powerful emotions and sensations wherever they go. The client is able to understand, explore, and soothe both their brain and body when they become activated over previous or present events. The client no longer has to feel out of control, crazy, surprised, or irritated by their response to certain events, places, or triggers. They are able to progressively heal, process, and accept their brain and body in any situation.

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Seeking Support: Contact Tennessee Mental Wellness

Grieving during the holidays can feel like a heavy burden, but it's important to remember that you are not alone. Whether you’re mourning the death of a loved one or navigating the heartache of divorce, give yourself grace. Allow the pain to surface, but also seek out the moments of comfort, however small. Healing takes time, and the holidays may always carry a shadow of grief, but with time and support, you can find your own way through this season, honoring both your loss and the possibility of hope in the future.

If you are struggling with grief, TN Mental Wellness is here to help and guide you on your path to healing.  Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We offer personalized therapy services to support your mental wellness and help you reclaim your life.