When Talk Therapy Isn't Enough
Have you used traditional "talk therapy" such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with little results? Are you experiencing dysregulation in your life due to trauma, loss, a major work stressor, or relationship issues? Do you have chronic pain or somatic symptoms that are otherwise unaccounted for by a medical issue?
You're not alone. Many people with trauma, chronic anxiety, or unresolved grief find that verbal processing doesn't reach the deeper parts of the brain where trauma is stored. Brain-body based psychotherapies like Brainspotting may be an effective way to treat your trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, stress, or chronic pain.
Brainspotting is one of the cutting edge therapies that heals the deeper subcortical regions—where trauma is stored—of the brain that "talk therapy" just can't reach.
What is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic approach developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003. It works by identifying, processing, and releasing core neurophysiological sources of emotional and physical pain, trauma, dissociation, and a variety of other challenging symptoms.
Unlike traditional talk therapy which engages the cortex (the thinking brain), Brainspotting accesses the subcortical brain—the deeper emotional and physical processing centers where trauma and difficult experiences are stored. This allows for healing without the need to re-traumatize yourself by retelling your story over and over.
The Science Behind Brainspotting
- Discovered by Dr. David Grand in 2003 through work with trauma survivors
- Accesses subcortical brain regions where trauma and emotions are stored
- Uses eye positioning to locate and process trauma held in the body
- Processes without re-traumatization through body-based awareness
Learn More from the Founder
Dr. David Grand explains the Brainspotting process
Who Benefits from Brainspotting?
Trauma & PTSD
- Childhood trauma
- Single-incident trauma
- Complex PTSD
- Vicarious trauma
- Attachment wounds
Anxiety & Stress
- Panic attacks
- Performance anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Work-related stress
- Chronic overwhelm
Grief & Loss
- Death of loved one
- Divorce or breakup
- Job loss
- Infertility
- Major life transitions
Physical Symptoms
- Chronic pain
- Psychosomatic symptoms
- Tension headaches
- Fibromyalgia
- Stress-related illness
Performance Enhancement
Brainspotting is also highly effective for optimizing performance:
- Creative blocks (artists, writers)
- Athletic performance
- Public speaking
- Stage fright
- Audition preparation
- Flow state enhancement
Understanding the Brainspotting Process
Brainspotting, developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003, is designed to access the deeper subcortical regions of the brain where trauma, emotions, and body memory are stored - areas that traditional talk therapy often can't reach.
Brainspotting May Be Helpful If:
- You've tried traditional talk therapy with limited results
- You're experiencing dysregulation from trauma, loss, or major stress
- You have chronic pain or somatic symptoms without a clear medical cause
- You want to process trauma without having to verbally retell it repeatedly
- You're experiencing PTSD symptoms (nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance)
- You're dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, or chronic overwhelm
What Happens in a Brainspotting Session
Using a pointer, I help you find a "brainspot" - an eye position that connects to where trauma or distress is held in your body. You hold that gaze while tuning into your body's sensations. This sustained focus allows your brain to process and release what's been stuck, without having to retell painful stories.
Sessions are typically 60-90 minutes. The process works with your brain's natural healing capacity, accessing the subcortical regions where trauma is stored. Many people experience physical sensations during processing - yawning, temperature changes, or deep relaxation - as your nervous system releases held tension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Brainspotting different from EMDR?
Both are brain-based trauma therapies, but Brainspotting uses sustained eye position (not eye movement) and tends to be gentler with fewer protocols. Brainspotting allows the client's brain to process at its own pace, while EMDR follows a more structured protocol approach.
Do I have to talk about my trauma?
No. Brainspotting works through body-based processing. You can share as much or as little as you want. The healing happens through your brain's natural ability to process, not through verbal analysis of the trauma.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions varies by individual and what you're working on. Some people process acute issues more quickly, while complex trauma or layered experiences may benefit from longer-term work. We'll assess your progress together regularly and adjust the treatment plan based on how you're responding to the work.
Does Brainspotting work for complex trauma?
Brainspotting was designed to work with complex trauma by accessing deeper subcortical brain regions where layered trauma is stored. It can be gentler than traditional talk therapy because you don't have to verbally process every detail. The brain-body based approach allows processing at your own pace.
Can Brainspotting help with physical pain?
Brainspotting is designed to address somatic symptoms and chronic pain that stem from trauma or stress. Since the body holds trauma, processing through a brain-body approach can help release physical tension and pain. It's particularly helpful for pain without a clear medical cause.
What does a session look like?
After identifying the issue you want to work on, I'll help you find a "brainspot"—an eye position that connects to where the trauma is held in your body. You'll maintain that eye position while your brain processes naturally. Many clients report feeling deep relaxation, emotional release, or physical sensations like yawning or temperature changes.
How long does Brainspotting take to work?
The timeline varies by person and what you're processing. Because Brainspotting works directly with subcortical brain structures where trauma is stored, people often notice shifts during or shortly after sessions. We'll track your progress together and adjust frequency based on how you're responding to the work.
Is Brainspotting covered by insurance in California?
Many insurance plans in California cover Brainspotting as it falls under psychotherapy services. I'm an in-network provider with several major insurance companies. Contact your insurance to verify your mental health benefits, or I can provide a superbill for out-of-network reimbursement.
What's the difference between Brainspotting and EMDR?
Both are effective trauma therapies, but Brainspotting uses a sustained eye position (not eye movements) and tends to be gentler. EMDR follows a structured protocol, while Brainspotting allows your brain to process at its own pace. Many clients who found EMDR too intense prefer Brainspotting's approach.
Why Choose Megan for Brainspotting in Oakland?
As a Certified Brainspotting Practitioner with 9+ years of clinical experience, I bring a unique combination of expertise to support your healing journey. My background in theatre (MFA) gives me specialized insight into working with performers, artists, and anyone dealing with performance anxiety or creative blocks.
I integrate Brainspotting with the Grief Recovery Method for clients dealing with loss, and offer Expansion Brainspotting for those seeking to enhance positive states and unlock creative potential.
Unique Qualifications
- Certified Brainspotting Practitioner
- MFA in Theatre (performance expertise)
- 9+ years clinical experience
- Expansion Brainspotting trained
- Certified Grief Recovery Specialist
Serving Oakland & Bay Area
- In-person sessions in Oakland
- Telehealth throughout California
- Flexible scheduling available
- Empaths & highly sensitive people
- LGBTQ+ affirming practice
Ready to Experience Brainspotting?
Take the first step toward healing trauma at its source.
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