Uncovering Calm: How Brainspotting Helps Heal Anxiety
In a world where anxiety can often feel like an unwelcome yet constant companion, finding effective, innovative approaches to healing is more important than ever. One such approach is Brainspotting (BSP), a relatively new but profoundly impactful therapy that is proving to be a powerful tool in the battle against anxiety. But what exactly is Brainspotting and how can it help?
What is Brainspotting?
Many of us find ourselves looking off to one direction in particular when we’re thinking or concentrating. It turns out that the brain is cooperating with the eyes to actually look inward rather than outward when this is happening. Dr. David Grand in 2003 discovered Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique that leverages the brain's natural ability to heal itself by using exactly this. Brainspotting focuses on this phenomenon in that where you look affects how you feel and therefore affects processing. By guiding clients to specific eye positions or "brainspots," therapists can help access, process, and release emotional and somatic experiences stored in the brain.
The Brainspotting-Anxiety Connection
Anxiety often stems from unresolved trauma or deeply embedded stressors. These experiences can be stored in the brain and body, causing persistent feelings of unease, fear, or worry that over time can deeply affect relationships with the self and others. Brainspotting targets these stored experiences directly, facilitating deep release and healing that traditional talk therapies do not reach as quickly or effectively.
Direct Access to Subcortical Brain:
One of the standout features of Brainspotting is its ability to access the subcortical brain, where many emotional and traumatic experiences are stored. This deeper brain access can lead to more profound and much more rapid healing compared to conventional therapies that primarily engage the neocortex, the rational, thinking part of the brain.
Enhanced Emotional Regulation:
By focusing on specific brainspots associated with anxiety, clients often experience a significant reduction in symptoms. Brainspotting helps recalibrate the brain's response to stressors, enhancing overall emotional regulation and reducing anxiety's grip on daily life.
Holistic Healing:
Brainspotting does not just address the cognitive aspects of anxiety but also the physical manifestations. Many clients report a release of physical tension, better sleep, and an overall sense of calm following sessions. This holistic approach ensures that healing is comprehensive and lasting because the worry or idea that was causing the distress is no longer paired with the physical sensations of anxious tension.
Personalized and Client-Led:
Brainspotting is a highly personalized therapy. Clients' unique experiences guide the process, allowing for a tailored approach that can be more effective than one-size-fits-all solutions. This client-led aspect empowers individuals, fostering a sense of control and safety, which is crucial for healing anxiety.
The Brainspotting Process
The Brainspotting process begins with the therapist helping the client identify a specific issue or anxious feeling. Using a pointer or the client’s natural gaze, the therapist then guides the client to find a brainspot – a specific eye position that resonates with the emotional or physical experience of anxiety. Once the brainspot is found, the client maintains focus on that spot while allowing thoughts, feelings, and sensations to surface.
During this phase, the therapist provides a supportive presence, helping the client process whatever arises. This can lead to the release of deeply stored emotions and/or sensations, resulting in a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Real-Life Impact
Consider Sierra, who struggled with crippling anxiety for years. Traditional therapies provided some relief, but the anxiety always lingered. After a few Brainspotting sessions, Sierra began to notice a shift. The tight knot in her chest started to loosen, her racing thoughts began to calm down, and she felt a sense of peace she hadn’t experienced in years. Her insomnia was now a rare occurrence and her symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome also began to occur only occasionally. Brainspotting didn’t just help Sierra manage her anxiety; it helped her release and heal from it.
Conclusion
Incorporating Brainspotting into treatment or anxiety can be a game-changer. Its ability to access deeper parts of the brain, coupled with a holistic and personalized approach, makes it an incredibly effective tool for healing. As more people discover the benefits of Brainspotting, the hope is that fewer individuals will have to navigate the debilitating effects of anxiety alone.
If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, consider exploring Brainspotting as a path to healing. Remember, where you look affects how you feel, and sometimes, the path to calm is just a brainspot away. Please reach out if you’d like to know more or schedule a no-cost consultation for your anxiety today.
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About the Author
Sara Walter Shihdanian (she/they) is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor specializing in trauma and gender + transition, providing virtual psychotherapy in Washington state. Her extensive training and unique expertise allows her to support clients who are ready for accelerated and lasting change.