Brainspotting Therapy
Discovery, Purpose & Healing Potential
Brainspotting is a focused psychotherapy approach developed by David Grand, PhD., in 2003 that uses eye positions linked to emotional and somatic activation to help clients process distressing experiences and support emotional regulation.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a psychotherapeutic approach that identifies specific eye positions (“brainspots”) associated with emotional or traumatic activation.
BSP is informed by David Grand’s work with Somatic Therapy and EMDR. Mr. Grand discovered that the client’s eye positions were linked to emotional and somatic experiences in the therapy room.
The core idea is “Where you look affects how you feel.” A person’s gaze can help access deeper neural and body-based responses.
How Brainspotting Works
Client Focused
Clients bring attention to internal experiences (sensations, emotions) while the therapist helps locate eye positions linked to activation.
Therapeutic Process
Therapist guides eye movement to find brainspots.
Client maintains gentle focus on the spot while tracking internal experience
Therapist supports regulation and grounded awareness
Research on Brainspotting is still growing, and while we don’t yet have all the answers about exactly how it works in the brain, early studies and clinical experience suggest it can be helpful for trauma, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm. Many therapists use Brainspotting alongside other well-established therapy approaches to support more profound healing and nervous system regulation.
You don’t need to relive painful memories or have the “right words” for what you’re experiencing. Brainspotting is gentle, collaborative, and focused on helping you feel more grounded, supported, and regulated, both during and after sessions.
Evidence & Research
Small pilot and comparative studies suggest Brainspotting may reduce PTSD and distress symptoms, and in one study showed comparable symptom reductions to EMDR for PTSD in small samples. Brainspotting+1
Overall, the evidence is early and limited — studies often have small samples, methodological constraints, or are authored by practitioners of Brainspotting. The modality is not yet strongly established in large randomized controlled trials.
Brainspotting is considered an emerging therapy; the American Psychological Association does not currently list it as a standard recommended treatment in clinical guidelines due to limited evidence.
There is ample anecdotal evidence for Brainspotting as a technique to treat trauma, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and sports-related blocking, to name a few. Emerging Trauma Therapies
David Grand, PhD., wrote a text titled "Brainspotting," which outlines his thesis for the method.
What Brainspotting Can Be Used For
PTSD and trauma-related distress (most studied area)
Anxiety symptoms (suggested in preliminary findings)
Somatic distress and emotional processing (based on clinical reports)
Research is ongoing. Brainspotting may complement other evidence-based approaches (e.g., CBT, EMDR) depending on individual needs.
What Happens in a Brainspotting Session
Session Flow:
Goal discussion and safety planning
Locating Brainspots with pointer and client feedback
Focused attention and monitoring internal experience
Regulation work and integration
Emphasis is placed on client control, safety, and therapist support.
Book an appointment.
Ready to begin your journey toward healing and growth? Whether you’re seeking clarity, relief from anxiety, or simply a space to reconnect with yourself, therapy can help you move forward with purpose. At New Chapter Therapy, we’ll work together to create meaningful change, one step at a time. Book your appointment today and take the first step toward your next chapter.