Brainspotting

[Lucycat]

I have been having EMDR, with success, but I do find it very hard work.

This week my T mentioned Brainspotting. Not something I was really aware of although I acknowledge that it has been mentioned on here before.

I have done a quick Internet search and get the basics of it.

Is anybody currently using Brainspotting and if so, what is your experience??

 

[Ice_Fire]

Sorry Lucy, I haven't got a clue, but I'm curious now. :p :)

 

[Lucycat]

I have read up all I can, but am feeling really frustrated as there is so little written. Just a rehash of the 'inventor's' description time and again on every site I've looked at.

I am not against trying anything new but I like to be informed. I will discuss this further with T and maybe he has a further source of info.

I am disappointed that there has not been more replies on here. I was hoping somebody would say they'd tried it and explain exactly how the brainspots are identified.

 

[Chosen]

I've tried looking on PsychInfo and PsychArticles databases that have academic journals and peer-reviewed articles. Nothing is mentioned, so I'm assuming that it hasn't been validated through research as of yet.

 

[Irene4k]

Hi, I've been getting brainspotting for some childhood trauma. I have had talking therapy and EMDR before, which have all been helpful in their own way, but this is totally different. This uses the part of the right brain involved in mindful awareness, and helps you to watchfully become aware of sensations in the body as they change and heal. It isn't about thinking or talking, and your therapist helps you to find an eye position which is most or least evoking, depending on your arousal level. The therapist holds your eye position with a pointer for you to fix on as you listen to some background bilateral sounds, and checks from time to time what is going on in your body. It is possible to keep arousal very low and still process difficult events; much more gentle than EMDR.

There isn't much research yet, but Lisa Schwartz is currently conducting some. I am also a trained trauma therapist and offer this to my clients - so far with the most amazing results.

 

[Lucycat]

Thanks Irene.

I am so pleased to hear of positive results with Brainspotting. I have not had any yet, but that is simply because since my first post about it I have been so well, and nothing new has cropped up to need it.

I did send an email to an experienced practitioner here in Scotland, that I found by a simple Google search. I was only seeking more information, but he very kindly offered me a free evaluation. I did not take him up on it as I don't feel the need but was amazed by his very helpful response.

T says he has now tried it with a couple of clients with good results and says that they, too say it is more gentle than EMDR.

I am glad research is being undertaken. I suspect it will become a recommended therapy in due course.

 

[Irene4k]

Hi Lucycat, therapy is so exciting nowadays. We are learning so much about the brain and how it functions/malfunctions, and the best therapies are looking at neurobiology. Good therapists need to stay up to date with what is being discovered and not be so precious about theoretical approach. Unfortunately, new therapies lack the research base; don't let that put you off. Brainspotting is amazing. It uses stone age brain circuitry that is nurtured by good mothering/therapy as an alternative to anxiety and dissociation, and if you are interested in this please research the work of Stephen Porges (polyvagal theory).

At the end of the day good therapy is about change, and the brain changing how it holds traumatic information. Talking helps sometimes, but for deep change of the subconscious we need therapies to access early pre-verbal information and to change this.

EMDR, Brainspotting and Mindfulness are all helpful in this respect; a good therapist with trauma experience is a bonus.

Good luck with your journey in life, Irene4k