Brainspotting
Brainspotting is a therapeutic technique developed in 2003 by Dr. David Grand in 2003 for treating trauma and other psychological issues. It works by locating different points in a person's visual field that help to access unprocessed and unresolved memories. Where your eyes look – up and down, left and right, near and far – has an overall effect on how you feel and can be used as an approach for trauma release and self-regulation.
Book Appointment696717977472b.png)
Reprocess, Transform & Release Trauma
Speak to UsBrainspotting was introduced in 2003 to treat trauma and help people achieve enhanced performance in different areas of their lives. Dr. Grand, the founder of Brainspotting, was originally an EMDR therapist. He explains that he discovered Brainspotting in one of his sessions with a client when he noticed that during the eye-movement exploration, there was a particular eye position that seemed to have more of a reaction than others. So he changed the protocol from moving the eyes from side to side to instead guiding the client to keep her eyes looking at that particular position. After that session, the client expressed a big breakthrough in her performance and was no longer stuck. Dr. Grand believes that by having the eyes focused on a particular position, the brain was able to access deeply held traumatic memories, to finally process them and release them.
Common Conditions Treated with Brainspotting
Brainspotting has been found to be helpful with treating a multitude of issues as well as personal development and heightened achievement.
Meet Our Specialist
Nora Sabahat Takieddine
Co-Founder, Holistic Psychologist, Somatic TherapistNora is our somatic psychotherapist and holistic psychologist licensed in California and Dubai. Nora has pursued training in multiple trauma therapy methods, including EMDR, EFT and Neuroaffective Touch. In addition to being a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, she is also trained in Brainspotting Level 2.
We 're here to help!
Message Nora TakieddineFrequently Asked Questions
Brainspotting is a form of exposure therapy. It is offered by our CDA licensed mental health therapists. The insurance reimbursement will depend on if your insurance policy covers psychotherapy sessions.
Generally, yes. It is considered safe and non-invasive, but it’s important to work with a trained and certified Brainspotting therapist, especially if dealing with complex trauma or dissociation. Accessing emotional, somatic and sensory memories can at times be overwhelming. A skills and experienced therapist can better contain the process to support completion and integration.
The number of sessions varies depending on the individual and the issue being treated. Some people notice significant shifts in just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term work.
Not necessarily. Brainspotting allows the client to process deeply, sometimes without verbalizing. Some sessions may involve talking, while others focus more on body sensations or emotions.
While both are brain-based therapies that use eye positions, Brainspotting differs in that it focuses more on stillness and sustained attention to a “brainspot,” rather than moving the eyes back and forth.
Still Have Questions?
Cannot find the answer you are looking for?Explore More Modalities
Biofeedback Therapy
Biofeedback Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive mind-body therapy that involves using a biofeedback de ...
Explore NowCraniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non invasive form of body work and alternative therapy. It is base ...
Explore NowEye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment designed to allevi ...
Explore NowBiofeedback Therapy
Biofeedback Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive mind-body therapy that involves using a biofeedback device to gain awareness of physiological functions and provide treatment. The term “biofeedback” is derived from the basis that the tools used provide feedback about the body’s biological functioning.
Explore NowCraniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, non invasive form of body work and alternative therapy. It is based on the concept that there is a rhythmic, subtle pulse or movement of the cerebrospinal fluid that can be detected and manipulated to promote healing and wellbeing.
Explore NowEye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. Developed in the late 1980’s, EMDR is particularly effective for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but can also be used for a variety of other mental health issues.
Explore NowEmotional Freedom Techniques
Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT), often referred to as “tapping”, was introduced by Gary Craig, an American engineer and personal performance coach who was seeking a technique that can be learned by others that could help set them free from emotional, physical and behavioral ailments in their lives.
Explore NowEmotionally Focused Couples Therapy
Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) is a form of psychotherapy developed by Dr. Sue Johnson designed to help people understand their emotional attachment patterns and transform their responses to experience better relationship dynamics.
Explore NowInternal Family Systems
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a form of psychotherapy developed in the 1980s by Dr. Richard Schwartz. It is based on the premise that the human psyche develops in several parts, each with its own role to play, its own perspectives, memories and narratives. The IFS approach is to help bring greater harmony and integration between the parts for psychological healing and well-being.
Explore NowPsychoDrama Therapy
Psychodrama is a kind of group psychotherapy that creates a setting for interaction and transformation using guided acting tips and role-playing to help participants explore and gain greater insight into their lives, emotions, aspirations, and relationships.
Explore NowSomatic Experiencing®
Somatic Experiencing® (“SE”) is a body-centered psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter Levine to address and heal the effects of trauma and stress.
Explore NowVisceral Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation (VM) is a gentle manual therapy developed by French osteopath Jean-Pierre Barral in the 1980s. It focuses on the internal organs—such as the liver, kidneys, intestines, and bladder—and their connective tissues (fascia). It aims to restore normal mobility and function by addressing restrictions or adhesions that may arise from factors like surgery, trauma, inflammation, or stress.
Explore Now