Brainspotting & Experiential Therapy
Towson, MD | Online Throughout MD
Liesl Blumenthal, LMSW, CAC-AD (she/her) offers integrative therapy for individuals and families drawing from a blend of evidence-based, experiential approaches including brainspotting, sand play, creative expression, photo therapy and body awareness. Experiential therapy is especially effective for issues that are hard to verbalize or when traditional talk therapy alone isn’t enough. Experiential therapy taps into emotional and physical experiences that words may not express including limiting beliefs, trauma, post traumatic stress, grief, loss, attachment, conflict in relationships, anxiety, depression, anger and impulse control. Liesl is a certified experiential specialist and has received special training in brainspotting, relational trauma repair and trauma focused psychodrama.
What is Brainspotting?
Although Brainspotting is less well-known than EMDR, it has been used by practitioners since it was discovered in 2003 by Dr. David Grand, a psychologist and trauma specialist. He developed the technique after observing that specific eye positions seemed to correlate with emotional or traumatic experiences. Building on the principles of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Brainspotting uses these eye positions to access deep brain areas where trauma and unprocessed emotions are stored, allowing clients to process these experiences in a safe and effective way.
Traditional talk therapy engages the part of the brain involved in language, thinking and reasoning while brainspotting accesses the areas which play a key role in emotional responses, memory storage, and the regulation of fight-or-flight responses. Because brainspotting connects directly to the subcortical brain, it bypasses cognitive defenses often helping clients experience quicker results.
Components of Brainspotting
Facilitating Processing & Release
Clients maintain focus on the brainspot while allowing emotions and sensations to surface. This promotes the processing and release of stored trauma, fostering healing and emotional regulation.
Focused Healing
Brainspotting leverages the brain’s natural ability to heal and is often used for trauma, anxiety, chronic pain, and performance enhancement.
Locating a Brainspot
The therapist uses a pointer or asks the client to track their gaze while focusing on an issue. The brainspot is identified when the client experiences an emotional or physical reaction (e.g., tension, discomfort).
Accessing the Subcortical Brain
By focusing on the brainspot, the technique taps into the brain’s deeper, nonverbal areas where trauma and emotions are stored, bypassing the more analytical, thinking brain.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The Brainspotting Process
The number of brainspotting sessions you will need depends on several factors, including the issues you are addressing, your goals for therapy, and your personal response to the technique. Here are some general guidelines:
1. Type of Issue
Acute Stress or a Single Trauma: Often resolved within 3-6 sessions.
Complex Trauma or PTSD: May require 10- 20 sessions or more, depending on the severity.
Chronic Conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression): Varies significantly; some people feel relief in 4-8 sessions, while others need longer-term work.
2. Your Goals
If you’re looking for symptom relief, you may need fewer sessions than someone seeking deeper personal transformation or processing complex emotions.
3. Your Progress
Brainspotting is designed to allow your brain and body to process at their own pace. Some individuals experience breakthroughs early, while others need a longer time to work through layers of emotion.
4. Therapist Recommendation
Your therapist will reassess your progress and goals regularly, adjusting the plan to meet your needs.
It’s a very individual process, so consider discussing your expectations and timeline with your therapist for a more specific plan.
Ready to get started?