Brainspotting is a cutting-edge trauma therapy that works rapidly and effectively in treating a variety of symptoms that can feel “sticky” and hard to release, including those associated with PTSD, developmental trauma, imposter syndrome, and perfectionism.

Trauma is stored in the subcortical part of the brain that is wordless and non-thinking, so it doesn’t understand our commands to “calm down!” or logical reassurances that we’re safe.

This part of nervous system remembers past traumas and automatically sounds alarms to protect us from reinjury, which is essential when actual threats exist but can lead to feeling emotionally hijacked when they don’t.

Unlike with talk therapy, Brainspotting directly accesses where trauma is stored in the subcortical brain and the “flight-flight-freeze-fawn” response is activated. Through a combination of relational and neurobiological attunement, we work together to identify points in the visual field that connect to those areas so trauma finally can be processed and released.

Brainspotting has been referred to as “emotional healing on warp speed” due its direct access to the subcortical brain. It’s goal is to help you process your trauma so that you can shed negative beliefs, physiological distress, and psychological pain as quickly as possible.

Common trauma-related symptoms

• Avoidance of talking about or doing anything that brings up the trauma

• A sense of numbness, disconnection, shutting down

• Hyper-vigilance, anxiety, restlessness, panic attacks

• Feelings of despair or worthlessness

• Insomnia, sleep difficulties

• Flashbacks or disturbing dreams

• Increased hostility or anger

• Increased substance use to dull feelings

• Use of other harmful coping strategies