WTF is BSP??!!

In the world of therapy and mental health, there are a f*ck ton of initials, and it’s hard to keep track of what they all mean.  (This is fully acknowledged by the woman who proudly includes LMFT and PMH-C after her name- lol!)

However, I want to share some new initials that have significance for me. I completed Phase 1 of Brainspotting (BSP) training, and I am now one of a limited number of brainspotting practitioners in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. (I am also licensed in California and Florida, where BSP is a bit more widely used.) 

Here’s a bit of history/context about BSP:

Brainspotting locates points in the client’s visual field that help to access unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain. Brainspotting (BSP) was discovered in 2003 by Dr. David Grand. Through his work with athletes, he discovered that "where you look affects how you feel."

One of the unique aspects of brainspotting is the belief in our innate ability to heal. The brainspotting experience is like guided mindfulness, in a supportive environment.  One of the most fascinating components of BSP is that there is no way to get it “wrong!”  The basis of the work is trusting your own brain to identify what it needs.

As part of accessing our own natural self-healing capabilities, we need to connect with a deeper part of our brain.  This technique allows for access to the subcortical area of the brain, where sensations and emotions, including trauma, are held. 

Brainspotting involves thinking about a challenging issue, noting where there is activation in the body, and then identifying the specific eye position (“brainspot”) associated with that event. This approach allows one to bypass the neocortex (the “thinking” brain), which is key, because although we may cognitively “understand” a situation, we can still experience emotional activation when thinking about it.  This approach is ideal for people who find it difficult to discuss a particular issue or event because it feels overwhelming.

Although I believe in the power of “talk therapy,” I also recognize that there are times when we are all at a loss for words. (And, that makes sense, because some memories are encoded without language.)  I am happy to “talk” and answer any questions you have about BSP.

One of the foundational components of brainspotting is the concept that “uncertainty equals limitless possibility.”  So, if you are ready to explore the limitless possibilities for yourself, let’s dive in!