The physical body stores our life experiences, including disturbing or painful ones. Mostly, we try to forget these memories or deny that something is affecting our mood and behavior. However, the brain continuously communicates with the body and any residual trauma that has been held on to affecting our relationships with ourselves and others.

In psychotherapy, there are various approaches to overcoming trauma, anxiety, and other psychological challenges. Two popular therapeutic modalities, Brainspotting and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), have gained attention for their effectiveness in treating trauma-related issues. While they share some similarities, they have distinct differences as well. This post will explore the differences between Brainspotting and EMDR.

I am a Certified Brainspotting Therapist, and it is one of the modalities I utilize in my private practice. Therefore, it is the method I am most familiar with. During my training years, my clinical supervisor was EMDR certified, so I have limited experience with the process. If you are considering  Brainspotting or EMDR, I recommend you contact a trained therapist to discuss your situation. You can always try both and see which one works best for you.

What is EMDR

EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, was developed by Francine Shapiro in 1987 to treat PTSD. Rooted in the Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model, it suggests that traumatic experiences can overwhelm the brain’s natural processing mechanisms.

EMDR employs a technique known as bilateral stimulation, where the right and left hemispheres of the brain are alternately activated. This method lies at the heart of EMDR’s functioning. Through swift applications of tactile, visual, or auditory stimulation on both sides, the theory posits that the brain can effectively access and release stored traumatic or stressful information. EMDR practitioners may employ tactile sensors known as tappers, a light machine, their hands, or headphones for the purpose of bilateral stimulation. Traditional talk therapy methods, often do not tap into the deep well of experience because talk-based approaches often fail to access the brain regions where trauma is stored.

There are eight steps to the EMDR process. Throughout this process, individuals concentrate on a distressing or traumatic issue while undergoing bilateral stimulation. Guided by the therapist, they repeatedly confront and explore the issue through these prescribed steps.

EMDR is recognized as an evidence-based strategy, acclaimed for its efficacy in addressing conditions like PTSD, trauma, and stress. It provides a methodical pathway toward healing and emotional well-being.

What is Brainspotting:

Brainspotting was developed by David Grand in 2003 as an expansion of his work with EMDR. It is grounded in the idea that where we look affects how we feel. Brainspotting works by accessing unprocessed trauma in the subcortical brain, where brain activity organizes itself around the eye position.

Brainspotting is a mind-body therapy that includes somatic work, neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, and polyvagal theory, designed to address a wide array of psychological issues, including developmental trauma, PTSD, performance anxiety, stress, depression, limiting beliefs, and panic attacks. Rooted in the principles of Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), it shares the goal of reprocessing and releasing negative experiences. Central to Brainspotting is the idea that “where you look affects how you feel.” The approach involves a brief setup, incorporating crucial elements such as recognizing an issue and its corresponding body sensations, identifying a focused eye position (Brainspot), and practicing mindful attunement.

Brainspotting doesn’t just scratch the surface—it delves into the core areas where trauma and stress are stored in the brain and body. This often resides in the nonverbal, nonlinear, and subconscious regions. A “brainspot” represents not just a single spot but an active network within the brain. Accessing this network is likened to unlocking an information capsule containing stored traumatic or stressful experiences, enabling their release and healing.

Clients frequently report a profound and enduring impact with Brainspotting, extending well beyond the session. The adaptability and flexibility of Brainspotting empowers individuals, fostering a sense of control over events or circumstances that once seemed beyond their influence.

The Role of Eye Movements:

Both processes use the eyes to access the inner body and process feelings, emotions, and memories. In EMR, the movement is directed by the clinician using their fingers to move the eyes back and forth, while Brainspotting, relies on the attuned relationship between the client and clinician to access the client’s inner experience and locate the activation spots using a pointer.

EMDR:

Utilizes bilateral stimulation through guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. The rhythmic left-right eye movements aim to facilitate the brain’s information processing.

Brainspotting:

Focuses on a fixed gaze or “brainspot” rather than rhythmic eye movements. The therapist helps the client find specific eye positions correlating with emotional body activation. Brainspotting includes somatic work, neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, and polyvagal theory.

Therapeutic Process

EMDR:

Phases include history-taking, treatment planning, desensitization (processing memories), installation of positive beliefs, and body scan. Involves the use of a standardized protocol.

Brainspotting:

Includes history-taking. Brainspotting emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the client’s internal experience.

Some therapists will make time for post-Brainspotting verbal processing, while others do not, either due to limited time or the position that verbal processing takes the client from the subcortical brain back into the prefrontal brain, possibly disrupting the therapeutic process. Many therapists like myself follow the client’s lead.

One other thing- you may have heard that Brainspotting does not require talking, which is true. Because processing occurs in the subcortical brain, healing may happen without verbal processing. Many people who struggle with talking find this to be a relief.

Brainspotting centers on the neural networks linked to trauma or issues, whereas EMDR concentrates on a particular memory. This distinction is crucial because Brainspotting does not require a detailed or specific memory to be as essential as EMDR. Due to the way the brain processes trauma, individuals who have experienced it, particularly developmental trauma, may not recall details or pinpoint elements of a specific event.

The hippocampus, responsible for remembering details, time stamps, and spatial information, takes a back seat in this process, allowing the amygdala, which responds to fear, to take center stage. The amygdala records sensory and experiential aspects, explaining why trauma triggers are often linked to various physical sensations such as hypervigilance, tension, upset stomach, rapid heartbeat, edginess, and startle responses.

Goals

Both processes aim to move the client from a state of dysregulation to a state regulation.

EMDR:

Targets distressing memories by facilitating adaptive processing through bilateral stimulation. It aims to desensitize the emotional charge associated with traumatic experiences.

Brainspotting:

Targets trauma by identifying and processing the distressing experience by accessing the deep brain structures linked to emotional and physical trauma. Brainspotting Therapy reveals, disrupts, and releases negative thoughts and feelings.

Effectiveness and Popularity

EMDR is an older practice and, due to this, has amassed more clinical research than Brainspotting. Both Brainspotting and EMDR are well-established and researched and considered effective for various trauma-related disorders. Both are practiced worldwide and recognized in the field of psychotherapy.

Conclusion

While both Brainspotting and EMDR share the goal of assisting individuals in overcoming trauma, complex trauma, PTSD, Anxiety, and depression, they employ different techniques and have distinct theoretical underpinnings. Brainspotting focuses on the neural networks associated with the issue, while EMDR focuses on a specific memory. The choice between the two may depend on the client’s preferences and unique needs.

As a certified Brainspotting therapist, I am naturally partial to Brainspotting. In my private practice, I use Brainspotting to help clients overcome difficult life transitions, process and release traumatic experiences, and limiting beliefs that are holding them back in their lives. Please reach out if you want to discuss if Brainspotting is a good fit for you. Book in here: https://tanyahanrihan.com/schedule/

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