What You Need to Know About Brainspotting for Trauma Treatment
There is a motto in brainspotting: “where you look affects how you feel”- a popular expression coined to describe the approach known as the most popular form of alternative therapies for anxiety and treating trauma. Today more than ever, people are looking for the best brainspotting therapists at trauma centers for treating anxiety because successful recovery rates are significantly higher than traditional speech-based therapy. When it comes to treating trauma, Serenity Trauma is the best anxiety treatment center specializing in brainspotting, with a 85% success rate in treating people towards making a full recovery.
This article is intended to help people who are considering having a consultation with a brainspotting therapist learn how these sessions are usually structured while shedding some light on the science behind this popular trauma and anxiety treatment option.
What Happens in Brainspotting Sessions for Trauma and Anxiety?
At Serenity Trauma, Brainspotting sessions are customized to best suit the type of trauma and the individual person, but there is a typical format. A highly trained therapist in this specialty will identify a brainspot, which is a position of the patient’s eye as it is related to the activation of an emotional issue or traumatic event. This is generally done by waving a wand-shaped object in a strategic pattern in front of the patient’s eye. While this is taking place the therapist will carefully observe the patient, looking for a wide range of reflexive signals–critical observations that indicate the discovery of a brainspot. Some of the reflexive signals can include the following:
- A furrow of the brow
- Twitching of the eye
- Pupil constriction
- Pupil dilation
- A facial tic
- A cough
- Swallowing
- A yawn
- Shifting of the body. Foot movement
- Hand movement
While all of the above are indicators of a brainspot, facial changes and expressions provide the strongest evidence of a brainspot discovery. Once the brainspot is identified, the therapist and patient can work together to harness their therapeutic relationship to observe and discuss any present moment awareness relevant to a traumatic event and its memory.
Brainspotting Works with the Deep Brain
Brainspotting works with the deep brain, through the limbic and autonomic systems within the central nervous system of one’s body. This will help the patient successfully release negative energy and emotions. Here’s what happens when Brainspotting accesses the deep brain:
- Brainspotting identifies central neurophysiological roots of bodily and emotional pain, dissociation, trauma, and other symptoms.
- The emotions are processed
- The brainspotting therapist works with the patient to release the sources in order to achieve healing and a complete recovery
Speech-based trauma therapy does not access the deep brain, and as a result, many symptoms of anxiety are only temporarily masked. Brainspotting is a popular alternative therapy for anxiety that actually taps into the core of the traumatic event, and it enables people suffering from trauma and anxiety to reprocess how they relate to the traumatic memories and therefore heal the body and mind of all negative emotions and energy trapped in the body.
How Long Does It Take to See Positive Effects of Brainspotting Therapy?
Many of our patients have reported positive effects of brainspotting at the end of their first session. However, most patients will experience the effects within two to four brainspotting sessions. Just remember that every person is unique, and their experiences are equally unique, so the number of sessions needed to feel the results taking effect will vary from individual to individual, as will the number of sessions necessary for resulting in a complete recovery. When you have your consultation with a Serenity Trauma brainspotting therapist, more details and light can be shed on understanding realistic expectations. But regardless of the time it takes to see results, brainspotting therapy has a significantly higher rate at successfully treating trauma and anxiety, and the process is faster than traditional speech-based therapies.
Is Brainspotting Known to Have Any Side Effects?
There are no documented side effects of brainspotting. However, be mindful that everyone’s body and brain is different, and therefore the aftermath of brainspotting can vary, but there has never been a reported case where something dangerous, negative, or risky has resulted from brainspotting sessions performed by trained therapists.
Some clients will express the feeling of relief and emotional liberation, and it is common for some people to feel tired after brainspotting sessions, as they have gone through a range of emotions. In some cases, this can be felt right after the session, but in most cases people report these feelings in the days that follow.
Contact Serenity Trauma to Schedule a Brainspotting Consultation with an Expert Trauma Therapist
As we are now into the infancy of 2023, now is the time to take hold of life and make the biggest investment in yourself by partnering with Serenity Trauma to finally rid you of your anxiety. You will be given the tools needed to process the emotions and memories related to painful events, without the traumatic energy getting trapped in your mind and body. Rather, these negative emotions will be cast from your body through a series of brainspotting sessions.
We only work with out-of-network insurance providers for those who want to use their insurance to cover a portion of their treatment. Call to set up a consultation today and make 2023 the new chapter to a life reflecting a happier, and healthier you!