What to Expect from a Brainspotting Session
Brainspotting is definitely not talk therapy as usual. For this reason, people are often unsure of what to expect. I find that it’s helpful to be as clear as possible about what will happen during a Brainspotting session. For many, knowing what to expect can alleviate any nervousness or uncertainty. At the same time, it’s important to know that the content that arises in each Brainspotting session will be unique.
What to expect during a Brainspotting session
When you arrive, you’ll be asked to put on the open back headphones that are provided to you.
From there, we’ll begin playing the biolateral sounds on low volume. These are calming nature sounds that move from one headphone to the next.
We’ll check in and talk briefly about the specific topic you would like to address in Brainspotting that day.
Then, we’ll work together to find the Brainspot, the spot in your visual field where you will focus for most of the session.
Once we locate the Brainspot, your only task is to notice any thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations that arise. There’s no need to “try” to make something happen or any need to “make” anything happen. Your body knows exactly what it needs to do to find healing.
We’ll process from this Brainspot from most of the session, and maintain a sense of curiosity about whatever information arises.
We’ll save a short period of time at the end of session to check in and process the information that arose while Brainspotting.
Online Brainspotting
Brainspotting can also be done online. The only difference with online Brainspotting is that you will need to come to the session prepared with your own headphones and biolateral music. Your therapist can provide you with information on where to access free or low-cost biolateral sounds. It’s also possible to Brainspot without the music, if you prefer. At LifeSpring, we’ve used Brainspotting to help people work through:
Trauma / PTSD
Anxiety
Depression
Imposter Syndrome
Creative blocks
Bullying
Interpersonal violence
Substance use
Grief and loss
There’s Hope!
I am always amazed at the effectiveness of Brainspotting and the insight, understanding, and relief that it is able to provide within a short period of time. If you’re looking for a different kind of therapy, I encourage you to give Brainspotting a try. If you’re tired of not feeling well, please know that there are effective treatment options out there, and you don’t have to continue feeling badly.
If you’re like many people I talk to, you’ve just read this article about Brainspotting but still aren’t sure what exactly to expect. For most people, it takes an actual Brainspotting session for people to really get it. It’s one of those things that is a little hard to grasp until you experience it for yourself.
If interested in learning more about Brainspotting, you can read about our Brainspotting services and ways to prepare for your Brainspotting session. Fortunately, Brainspotting can be done online, allowing people to access this really powerful treatment modality while in the comfort of your own home. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about Brainspotting.
Search Our Other Blogs!
Interested in Brainspotting?
If you’re a Marylander who knows that counseling is the direction you need to take, the therapists at LifeSpring Counseling Services are here to help. We offer online counseling services for mindfulness, depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss. We also offer Brainspotting as a specialized service, and Brainspotting can be done online, too!
Here’s how you can get started! Brainspotting for depression, anxiety, trauma, and grief and loss isn’t the only service offered at our Maryland office
The counselors and social workers at our Maryland office also offer counseling services for trauma, grief and loss, boundary setting, communication skills, and difficult life transitions. We also offer specialized counseling services including Brainspotting and spiritually-integrated counseling. Because we are located next to several local universities, we also work with college students and international students.
Written by: Melissa Wesner, LCPC, Certified Brainspotter
Photos: Hessam on Unsplash
Date of Download: 7/16/2020
