How Mental Health Counselors Use Brainspotting to Help You Heal from the Inside Out

Ashley Schmitz
May 28
3 min read

Have you ever felt like you know what’s wrong, but no matter how much you talk about it, the pain still lingers? You might understand your anxiety, your past trauma, or your stuck patterns—but something deeper still feels unresolved.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and there’s a reason for it.

Talk therapy is incredibly valuable, but some emotional wounds live deeper than words can reach. That’s where a powerful therapeutic tool called Brainspotting comes in. As mental health counselors, many of us use Brainspotting to help clients process trauma, anxiety, grief, and emotional pain on a much deeper level—through the mind and the body.

Let’s break it down.

What Is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a brain-body therapy that helps you access and heal the emotional experiences that live beneath the surface—especially those stored in your subconscious and nervous system.

It was developed by Dr. David Grand in 2003 and is based on the idea that “where you look affects how you feel.” By finding specific eye positions called brainspots, your counselor can help you access parts of your brain where unprocessed trauma, emotions, or stress are stored.

Once you’re focused on a brainspot, your brain and body begin to do the healing work—without you needing to “think it through” or explain everything.

How Does It Work in a Session?

In a Brainspotting session, your counselor will gently guide you through a few steps:

You choose a focus – This could be a memory, a feeling, a fear, or even just a sense that something’s “off.”
You notice your body – Your counselor will help you identify where you feel the emotion or tension in your body.
You find your brainspot – Using your eye movements, your counselor helps you find a spot that activates the emotion or memory.
You stay with it – While looking at that spot, you allow thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations to come and go. Your counselor stays with you, offering support and helping you stay grounded.

What’s happening behind the scenes? Your brain is processing and releasing stored material that may have been stuck for years—sometimes even from childhood or past trauma.

What Can Brainspotting Help With?

Brainspotting can help with a wide range of issues, including:

Trauma and PTSD (even complex or developmental trauma)
Anxiety, phobias and panic attacks
Grief and loss
Depression
Relationship and attachment issues
Performance anxiety (e.g., public speaking, test anxiety, or artistic blocks)
Chronic pain and body tension linked to emotional stress

Because it works with the body and nervous system, Brainspotting is especially helpful if you've ever felt overwhelmed by talking about your experiences or if you've plateaued in traditional therapy.

What Makes Brainspotting Different?

Here are a few reasons why many clients find Brainspotting deeply effective:

It’s gentle but powerful. You don’t have to relive painful memories in detail for healing to happen.
It works with your whole system. Brainspotting honors both your emotional and physical experiences.
You’re in control. The process moves at your pace—your brain does the work it’s ready for.
It goes beyond words. Sometimes, what hurts can’t be explained—and that’s okay.

What to Expect After a Session

People often report feeling lighter, calmer, and more connected to themselves after a session. Sometimes, insights come days later. You may also notice less emotional reactivity, better sleep, and a sense of emotional release. It’s not uncommon for some to feel tired or emotional the day of a session, or some even feel more energized. Each person is unique and their brain/body have different ways of processing. But in general, most people find that they are able to feel less emotional reactivity to things that once were more triggering and can move on more quickly.

Like all therapy, Brainspotting is a process—but for many, it unlocks progress they haven’t experienced before.

Is Brainspotting Right for You?

If you’re curious about Brainspotting or feel stuck in your healing journey, talk to your counselor about it. Many of us are trained to offer this powerful modality, either as a standalone approach or integrated into regular therapy sessions.

You don’t have to figure it all out with your mind alone. Your body and brain know how to heal—you just need the right tools and support to help them do it.

Interested in learning more or scheduling a Brainspotting session? We’re happy to talk with you about whether it’s a good fit for your needs. Healing is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.

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