Brainspotting (BSP) is an incredible trauma reprocessing modality created by David Grand with many versatile applications. BSP is similar to EMDR (Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing), an evidence-based trauma healing modality. BSP was developed as an outgrowth to EMDR, and also has evidence-supported positive outcomes for healing trauma.
When most people think of trauma reprocessing they imagine remembering, reliving, or discussing their trauma until they no longer become highly activated. De-escalating and removing these intense “activations” (or responses to remembering difficult or painful events) is certainly one application of BSP - likely the one it is best known for. Another application is Expansion BSP, which involves increasing a person’s confidence, peace, and reclaiming performance goals or lost parts of the self.
Expansion Brainspotting (EBSP) allows someone to believe and increase the best in themselves. It creates neural pathways, positive emotions, and a felt sense in the body of the truth. The truth that we never dared to believe: that we are capable, we are loved, we can overcome, we are good enough, we are safe, we are worthy, we deserve good things, we can live the life we always dreamed of. EBSP brings forth, raises up, and instills the very best in us. Additionally, once you learn the set up from your BSP Trained therapist and become comfortable with it, you can utilize this incredible skill on your own. You can take it with you home, to the office, to your family, to wherever you need it most. You can become your own advocate, healer, encouragement, and motivator.
BSP has a set up and protocol for lowering activation and traumatic responses. That set up of remembering a thought, memory, or experience that brings about an emotional response and body activation is then scaled from 0-10 and a Brainspot if found to reprocess the event. The process of memory/thought/experience connected to emotion which creates a body response (activation) that you can locate, explore, and scale 0-10 is the client skill set that BSP creates, cultivates, and uses to reprocess traumatic experiences. The Brainspot is then the fixed or moving eye position that elicits the greatest activation. From there, the brain and body are able to reprocess, reset, and move forward from the traumatic experience.
BSP Reprocessing focuses on an Activation Spot, but there is also an Expansion Spot that can be utilized. The Expansion Spot can be linked to increasing performance, confidence, peace, and reclaiming lost parts of the self. The Activation Spot helps the brain and body to disconnect previous responses and beliefs from the traumatic experience. Expansion helps to connect positive beliefs and responses to the present moment. It can help decrease performance anxiety, increase focus, remain grounded and present in high pressure situations, accept and believe compliments and love from friends and family, increase motivation to make positive changes, and/or begin doing things again that felt impossible following the traumatic experience.
At Tennessee Mental Wellness, all of our therapists are BSP Trained and Trauma Informed. Collectively, we chose to undergo these trainings so that we can provide the best possible care to our clients and empower them to live the lives they desire. If you are interested, we would be honored to meet with you and give you the tools to fully understand, heal, and move forward into who you desire to be.
Recovery is a continuous journey that requires self-awareness, a willingness to heal past wounds, and a supportive environment. By addressing the key components of an effective recovery plan, dispelling common misconceptions, recognizing early challenges, and knowing how to support a loved one, you can navigate this path more effectively.
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. With the right strategies and support, achieving mental wellness and rebuilding a fulfilling life is entirely within your reach.
Ready to take the next step in your recovery journey? Contact TN Mental Wellness today to learn how we can support you.