Introduction
Brainspotting therapy is a trauma-focused approach that uses eye position and focused attention to help people process difficult experiences. During Brainspotting, you work with a therapist to notice emotional and physical responses while focusing on a particular point in your visual field.
For people dealing with trauma, distressing memories, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties, Brainspotting may offer another way to work through experiences that are difficult to process through conversation alone.
Brainspotting is a newer therapeutic approach, and its research base is still developing. It is not a guaranteed solution or appropriate for every person or situation. Instead, it can be considered as one option within trauma-informed therapy.
At Pneuma Therapeutic Services, Brainspotting is available in Chicago through our licensed Brainspotting therapist, MA, LPC, who has completed Phase 1 Brainspotting training. The approach can also be integrated with professional counseling and, when desired, Christian counseling or faith-based counseling.
- Brainspotting is a trauma-focused therapy that uses visual focus and guided attention.
- A session generally involves identifying an area of concern and working with a specific visual position or “brainspot.”
- It may be used when trauma or distress continues to affect emotional responses, relationships, or daily life.
- Brainspotting is a newer modality, so its evidence base is still developing.
- A trained therapist can help determine whether it is an appropriate fit for your needs.
What Is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a trauma-focused therapeutic approach that uses your visual field as part of the therapy process.
The basic idea is that a particular eye position, or “brainspot,” may be associated with emotional or physical responses connected to a difficult experience. A therapist helps you identify and maintain attention on that position while you remain aware of internal reactions.
Brainspotting does not necessarily require you to explain every detail of an experience. Instead, the approach also gives attention to what you notice internally while focusing on a particular visual position.
This does not mean that every difficult memory is stored in one specific place in the brain or that finding a particular point with your eyes automatically resolves trauma. Those claims would go beyond what can reasonably be supported.
Instead, Brainspotting provides a structured way for you and your therapist to focus on internal experiences that may be difficult to describe with words.
The therapist’s role is important. Brainspotting should be provided by someone with appropriate training who can recognize when the approach may be appropriate and provide support throughout the process.
How Brainspotting Works
A Brainspotting session typically involves identifying something you would like to work on. This could involve a distressing memory, emotional reaction, physical sensation, or another concern related to your goals for therapy.
The therapist may guide you to notice where you experience a particular reaction and then explore different positions within your visual field.
A particular eye position may feel different from another. Some people notice changes in emotion, body sensations, thoughts, or memories as they maintain attention on a brainspot.
The therapist helps you stay present and observe what is happening without forcing a particular response.
Brainspotting can be used within a trauma-informed approach. The goal is not to pressure you into describing every detail of a painful experience. The therapist works with your current experience and responds to what emerges during the session.
Brainspotting does not require you to know exactly why a particular visual position feels significant. The process is guided by the therapist and your own observations.
It is also important to understand that Brainspotting is not a technique where a therapist controls what you think or remember. You remain aware and involved throughout the session.
What Happens in a Brainspotting Session?
A Brainspotting session begins with the same basic foundation as other forms of professional therapy: understanding what brings you to counseling and what you hope to address.
The therapist may discuss the concern you want to work on and help you identify an emotional or physical response connected to it.
From there, the therapist may guide you to explore different positions in your visual field to identify a brainspot. You may be asked to pay attention to what you notice internally while maintaining your gaze in a particular position.
Your experience may involve emotions, memories, thoughts, body sensations, or very little noticeable change at first. There is no required experience that means you are doing Brainspotting correctly.
The therapist’s job is to help you remain grounded and supported as you pay attention to what is happening.
You also do not need to disclose more than you are comfortable sharing. A professional, trauma-informed setting should allow space for appropriate boundaries and pacing.
For some people, the appeal of Brainspotting is that it provides another way to engage with difficult experiences without making detailed verbal processing the entire focus of the session.
What Is Brainspotting Used For?
Brainspotting is primarily associated with trauma-focused therapy and may be used when difficult experiences continue to affect your emotional or physical responses.
A therapist may consider Brainspotting as part of treatment for concerns involving:
- Trauma-related distress
- Difficult emotional responses connected to past experiences
- Distressing memories
- Anxiety or emotional overwhelm
- Stress reactions
- Experiences that are difficult to process through conversation alone
The appropriate use of Brainspotting depends on the individual. A therapy approach that helps one person may not be the right approach for another.
Brainspotting should also not be presented as a universal treatment for every mental health concern. A trained therapist can consider your situation, goals, history, and current needs when determining what type of therapy may be appropriate.
At Pneuma Therapeutic Services, Brainspotting can be part of a broader trauma-informed approach. You can also learn more about trauma recovery counseling and how therapy may support you after difficult experiences.
Is Brainspotting Evidence Based?
Brainspotting has been studied, but its evidence base is still developing.
This distinction matters. Brainspotting is a newer therapeutic modality and does not yet have a large, well-established research base.
Some research has explored whether Brainspotting may help with trauma-related symptoms and emotional distress. However, research findings should be interpreted carefully, particularly when the overall evidence base is still limited.
A responsible therapist should not promise that Brainspotting will resolve trauma or produce a particular outcome.
Instead, Brainspotting can be viewed as one therapeutic approach that may be appropriate for some people. The decision to use it should be based on your needs and the therapist’s clinical judgment.
If you are considering Brainspotting, it is reasonable to ask about the therapist’s training, how the approach fits into your overall treatment, and what other therapeutic options may be appropriate.
Being honest about what is known and what is still being studied is part of responsible mental health care.
Who Brainspotting May Not Be Right For
Brainspotting may not be appropriate for everyone.
Whether it is a good fit depends on your current circumstances, treatment goals, ability to remain grounded during therapy, and other clinical considerations.
It may not be an appropriate starting point when you need a different type of support or when another treatment approach is more appropriate for the concerns being addressed.
This does not mean that you cannot benefit from trauma therapy. It simply means that the specific method matters.
A trained therapist should assess whether Brainspotting makes sense within the context of your care rather than assuming that one modality is appropriate for every client.
It is also important not to begin trauma-focused work simply because a particular therapy is popular or sounds promising. Good therapy starts with understanding your concerns, needs, and goals for treatment.
If you are unsure whether Brainspotting is appropriate for you, a professional consultation can help you understand your options.
Working With a Brainspotting Therapist in Chicago
If you are searching for a Brainspotting therapist near you, finding a clinician with appropriate training can be an important part of choosing trauma-focused care in Chicago.
Training matters when choosing a therapist for a specialized modality. At Pneuma Therapeutic Services, our licensed Brainspotting therapist, MA, LPC, has completed Phase 1 Brainspotting training and can incorporate the approach into care when appropriate.
Brainspotting can also be considered alongside other forms of trauma-informed therapy rather than treated as a standalone answer to every concern.
If trauma continues to affect your relationships, emotional responses, or ability to feel settled in daily life, professional support can provide a structured place to work through those experiences. You can learn more about trauma recovery counseling and how trauma-informed support may fit your needs.
For clients who want faith to be part of therapy, Christian counseling or faith-based counseling may also be incorporated when appropriate. The goal is to respect your beliefs while maintaining a professional and clinically grounded approach.
Depending on your needs, other therapeutic approaches may also be considered as part of your care. You can learn more about IFS therapy and how Internal Family Systems approaches emotional and behavioral patterns.
The right therapy is not simply the therapy with the most attention or the newest name. It is an approach that fits your needs and is provided in a setting where you can work honestly and safely with a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Brainspotting therapy?
Brainspotting therapy is a trauma-focused approach that uses visual focus and guided attention. A therapist helps you identify a specific position in your visual field, called a brainspot, while you pay attention to internal emotional or physical responses.
It is a newer modality with a developing evidence base and should not be presented as a guaranteed treatment.
How does Brainspotting work?
Brainspotting uses eye position and focused attention as part of the therapeutic process. A therapist helps you identify a visual position that may be connected with a particular emotional or physical response.
You then remain aware of what you notice while the therapist provides support and guidance. Experiences can vary from person to person.
Who should not do Brainspotting?
Brainspotting may not be appropriate for everyone or for every situation. Your current needs, treatment goals, ability to remain grounded, and other clinical considerations can affect whether it is a good fit.
A trained therapist should evaluate whether Brainspotting is appropriate for you rather than assuming the approach will work for every client.
Is Brainspotting therapy legitimate?
Brainspotting is a therapeutic approach that has been studied for its potential use in trauma-focused care. However, it is newer and has a thinner evidence base than more extensively studied approaches.
It is reasonable to approach Brainspotting with both openness and appropriate caution. A qualified therapist should be transparent about what is known, what remains uncertain, and how the approach fits into your overall treatment.
Is Brainspotting like hypnosis?
No. Brainspotting is not hypnosis.
During Brainspotting, you remain aware and actively involved in the session. The therapist guides your attention toward a visual position while you notice thoughts, emotions, memories, or physical sensations.
Brainspotting does not require you to enter a hypnotic state. You remain engaged with the therapist and aware of what you are experiencing throughout the process.
What happens in a Brainspotting session?
A session typically begins by identifying what you want to work on. The therapist may then help you notice an emotional or physical response and use visual positioning to identify a brainspot.
You pay attention to what happens internally while maintaining awareness of the present moment. The therapist provides guidance and support throughout the process.
Where can I find a Brainspotting therapist in Chicago?
Pneuma Therapeutic Services offers trauma-informed therapy in Chicago, including Brainspotting with our licensed Brainspotting therapist, MA, LPC, who has completed Phase 1 Brainspotting training.
A consultation can help you determine whether Brainspotting is an appropriate approach for your concerns and goals.
Getting Started With Brainspotting Therapy in Chicago
If you are considering Brainspotting therapy in Chicago, you can connect with our licensed Brainspotting therapist to discuss your concerns, goals, and whether the approach may be appropriate for you. Faith-based counseling can also be incorporated when you want faith to be part of your care.