Brainspotting
A focused brain-body approach for processing experiences held beneath conscious awareness.
Some patterns live deeper than Our conscious thought.
You can understand and still feel unable to change. You may know where the pattern comes from, and you may even recognize your triggers. You might know exactly how you would like to respond differently.
And still, your body seems to respond before your thinking mind has a chance to catch up. You find yourself repeating negative cycles, looping or ruminating on thoughts or memories, and unable to move past certain events in your life.
Brainspotting offers us another way into the subconscious to allow for a somatic release of any stress or emotions that became stuck.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a brain-body-based approach developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. It uses points within your visual field—called brainspots—alongside focused awareness of what you are experiencing internally.
The premise is surprisingly simple: where you look can affect what you feel.
Rather than relying entirely on talking about an experience, Brainspotting allows us to pay attention to what is happening beneath the words—the sensations, emotions, memories, beliefs, and responses that may arise as your attention rests in a particular place.
Brainspotting works with the connection between the brain, body, and nervous system. Through visual focus, body awareness, present-moment attention, and relational attunement, we create space to access experiences and responses that may be difficult to reach through conscious thought or language alone.
This is one of the things I find so powerful about Brainspotting: you don't have to fully explain, analyze, or even understand everything that arises. We can follow what your brain and body are showing us and allow the body to release what is ready to be released.
“Each Brainspotting session I have been able to become attuned to some part of my younger self that needs attention –– and from that spot, there is clarity. From recognition and study comes truths that allow me to heal, grow, and live my life with a healthier approach than before. I think having a witness, Heidi, in the process of Brainspotting provides a support source of outer and inner connection. That may be the most special part of it all.”- Jacie
FAQs
What happens during a Brainspotting session?
We begin with what feels most present for you. I may invite you to notice what you’re experiencing in your body and use your visual field to locate a “brainspot”—an eye position connected to that experience. From there, you notice what arises while I stay present with you and follow your process. There is no right way to do it.
What if something overwhelming comes up?
It’s natural to wonder whether Brainspotting might uncover something you aren’t ready to face.
Brainspotting can have moments of intensity, but we aren't trying to force anything to surface. I don't direct you into particular memories or decide what needs to be processed.
Instead, we trust the wisdom of your system.
Your body and feeling brain lead the process, allowing us to work with what is ready to emerge at a pace that honors your capacity. My role is to stay attuned to you and gently guide the process while your mind and body do the deeper work.
We don't have to force the door open; we just create space for what is ready.
How is Brainspotting different from coaching?
Coaching often engages the thinking mind through reflection, insight, questions, and new possibilities. Brainspotting gives us a somatic way of working—one that pays close attention to the body and what may be happening beneath conscious thought. I often integrate the two rather than treating them as completely separate experiences.
What if I don't know what I'm supposed to feel?
Perfectly okay. You don't have to make anything happen. Brainspotting is less about producing a particular response and more about noticing what is already there. Sometimes that is emotion or sensation; sometimes it is imagery, memories, thoughts, or even a sense that very little is happening. Your experience gets to be your experience.
I am Phase 2 Certified in Brainspotting and bring this modality into my work when it can support deeper processing and integration.
Where Can I Learn More about Brainspotting?
You can find research and resources at the Brainspotting UK website.
Ready to explore what’s possible?
If you’re curious about Brainspotting or wondering whether it might be a good fit for where you are right now, we can begin with a conversation.