In-person therapy in Nashville, TN & Online across TennesseeBrainspotting Therapist in Nashville, TN
You don’t have to stay stuck.
You’ve tried traditional talk therapy but you still feel stuck, preventing you from moving forward.
You've poured your heart out in therapy sessions, analyzing your thoughts and experiences. Yet, a nagging sense of being stuck lingers. Maybe past traumas or deep-seated anxieties haven't fully yielded to traditional talk therapy.
Brainspotting offers a powerful, alternative approach that goes beyond conscious thought patterns. By focusing on where you naturally look in space while discussing your challenges, brainspotting can unlock hidden emotional responses held within the body.
This mind-body connection can be the key to releasing what's holding you back, allowing you to finally move forward with a renewed sense of peace and well-being.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a therapy technique used to address emotional or traumatic issues. It works by establishing a connection between your eye movements and your unprocessed emotional experiences. I will guide the you to focus on a specific point in your visual field while keeping a particular issue or memory in mind. This eye position, called a "brainspot," is believed to be linked to the emotional core of the problem.
By focusing on the brainspot, I will help you access and explore the associated feelings and body sensations.
This can bring up important insights and memories related to the issue. I will then facilitate the processing of these experiences, aiming to help you release the pent-up emotional energy and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
Do you ever find yourself unconsciously staring off into space when you're telling a story or just sitting still?
Imagine your mind is a vast landscape…
It's got mountains of memories, valleys of emotions, and a whole lot of unexplored territory. Sometimes there are hidden cracks, these deep spots that hold onto rough experiences. That's where trauma can get stuck, like a thorn in your foot.
Brainspotting is a way to find those hidden cracks. It works by using where you look to tap into what's going on inside. It's like using your eyes as a compass, navigating your internal landscape. The therapist guides you, but you're the one in charge, the explorer of your own experience.
Now, those cracks might bring up some intense feelings, some buried hurt. That's okay. It's like when you finally pull out that thorn – it stings at first, but then there's relief. Brainspotting helps you process that hurt, to heal those tender spots. It's about acknowledging what happened, feeling your feelings, and then moving forward with more strength and peace.
What to expect during a Brainspotting session?
Brainspotting is a tool for healing that can help you clear out unresolved emotional and physical baggage stored deep within you.
Here's what to expect during a session:
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Imagine a compass guiding you to a place of truth within. I will help you move your eyes gently, searching for a specific spot that connects to your current struggle. When you find it, you might feel a shift in your body or emotions – that's your body's wisdom pointing the way.
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Once you've found your spot, it's time to tune in. I will encourage you to focus there, letting any thoughts, feelings, or sensations surface without judgment. This deep listening allows you to access the hidden wellspring of emotions and experiences waiting to be acknowledged.
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I’ll acts as your safekeeper during this inner exploration. You’ll be keenly aware of both your internal world (what's going on inside) and your external signals (body language, voice tone). By observing these cues, they can gently guide you through the process.
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As you focus on your spot, your body's natural healing power kicks in. Unprocessed emotions and physical tensions begin to release and integrate. You might experience the release of pent-up feelings, forgotten memories, or gain fresh perspectives on old wounds.
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Near the end of the session, I will help you bring things to a close in a safe and grounded way. This might involve deep breathing exercises or other techniques to help you feel centered and present in the moment.
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Brainspotting is a journey of self-discovery, and it doesn't end with the session. I might suggest self-care practices or ways to cultivate self-compassion as you continue to process and integrate your experiences. I’ll also be there to offer support and guidance for further sessions if needed.
“The brain has the ability to heal itself”
Brainspotting can be helpful for a variety of issues, including but not limited to:
Trauma
Anxiety
Depression
Insecurities
Phobias
Relationship Issues
General feeling of being “stuck”
Performance anxiety
Unhealthy habits
Chronic pain and physical sensations.
What Does Brainspotting Processing Feel Like?
IN THE ROOM
Brainspotting is a deeply personal journey, and the experience varies from person to person. It essentially harnesses the brain's natural ability to heal itself from emotional wounds. During a session, I might guide you to focus on specific eye positions, known as "brainspots," that seem connected to unresolved emotional experiences. These experiences often manifest more physically during the session, with emotions surfacing later.
THE PROCESSING UNFOLDS
As you delve deeper, a range of sensations, emotions, and thoughts may arise. You might feel emotions more intensely, gain sudden insights, experience physical shifts, or even recall memories related to the issue you're addressing. Processing also involves integrating the emotional material, which can lead to shifts in how you think and perceive the issue at hand.
DREAMS
Dreams can be a powerful tool in Brainspotting. Some clients report vivid dreams linked to the targeted issue or emotions. These dreams can offer valuable insights and further exploration in future sessions with your therapist. Interestingly, some people describe these "brainspotting dreams" as more symbolic or mythical, while others find them incredibly vivid and lifelike.
AFTER PROCESSING
The intense emotions and physical reactions brought up during Brainspotting processing typically fade after integration. These are often the underlying feelings that have been unconsciously impacting your life - influencing relationships, emotions, physical responses, and thought patterns. They might be feelings you've avoided or reacted strongly to in the past. After processing, they no longer operate unconsciously, allowing you to move forward with greater clarity.
Brainspotting can help you…
Identify hidden emotional roots of issues
Improve emotional regulation and resilience
Reconnect with your body's wisdom and intuition
Reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Trust your inner compass for navigating challenges and emotion
Prioritize healing and personal growth
Process and release unresolved trauma.
faqs
Common questions about Brainspotting
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Here's a breakdown of how it works::
Body Holds the Key: Imagine there are areas in your vision that trigger certain feelings or memories, especially negative ones. These are like "pressure points" for your brain.
Finding the Spot: A therapist helps you find these spots by guiding your eye movements. You might feel a physical sensation or emotional shift when you land on a spot.
Releasing the Stuckness: By focusing on these spots and the feelings they evoke, you and the therapist work together to process the underlying emotional baggage. This can help you heal and move on.
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Brainspotting can be a deeply personal experience that's hard to put into words. Many people find themselves feeling their emotions more vividly and noticing how those emotions manifest physically in their bodies.
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The number of sessions varies depending on individual needs and the complexity of the issue being addressed. Some people experience significant shifts after a few sessions, while others may require more time.
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If you are interested in exploring a mind-body approach to healing and are open to experiencing your emotions in a new way, Brainspotting could be a good option for you.
Ready to get started?