Brainspotting Therapy in Whitefish Bay, WI

Some experiences leave lasting impacts that simple coping mechanisms can’t fully address. When trauma, anxiety, or distressing memories keep you stuck, finding an effective therapeutic approach is crucial.

Brainspotting is a powerful, brain-body-based therapeutic approach that helps individuals process and heal from emotional trauma, anxiety, performance blocks, and deeply rooted psychological distress. Developed by Dr. David Grand, Brainspotting works by identifying, targeting, and releasing unprocessed trauma stored in the subcortical brain—the part of the brain responsible for emotions, memory, and physical regulation.

What Is Brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a therapeutic method that helps individuals access and process unresolved trauma, emotional pain, or other blocks. It works by identifying specific “brainspots”—subtle eye positions that correlate with areas in the brain where trauma and memories are stored—allowing the brain to process and release stuck experiences. The goal of Brainspotting is to reduce the lingering emotional and physiological effects of these experiences and support deep, lasting healing.

How Brainspotting Works

During a Brainspotting session, your therapist helps you locate the eye positions that correspond to areas in your brain holding unprocessed emotional experiences. Once identified, these brainspots act as a gateway for the brain to release trauma and integrate difficult memories. Sessions are typically gentle and focused, allowing you to process emotions safely while your therapist guides and supports you throughout the experience.

Brainspotting can also include bilateral sounds, mindfulness, or other somatic techniques to help your mind and body work together during the healing process. Unlike some talk therapy approaches, Brainspotting engages both your conscious and subconscious mind to facilitate deep, effective change.

Is Brainspotting Right for You?

Brainspotting can be especially helpful for:

  • Trauma and PTSD

  • Anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm

  • Performance blocks in sports, work, or creative endeavors

  • Chronic physical pain with emotional components

  • Processing difficult life experiences

If you’ve tried traditional talk therapy and felt stuck, Brainspotting may offer a new pathway to healing by working directly with the brain and body to release unresolved emotions.

What Can Brainspotting Treat?

Brainspotting is effective for a wide range of emotional, psychological, and performance-related challenges. Brainspotting works by targeting the brain-body connection, helping individuals release stuck emotions and build lasting resilience. It can help with:

  • Trauma and PTSD: Process and release unresolved traumatic experiences.

  • Anxiety and Stress: Reduce chronic worry, tension, and emotional overwhelm.

  • Depression and Grief: Work through persistent sadness, loss, or complicated grief.

  • Performance Blocks: Improve focus, confidence, and resilience in work, sports, or creative pursuits.

  • Phobias and Fears: Address intense or limiting fears that impact daily life.

  • Chronic Pain or Somatic Symptoms: Support healing of physical symptoms tied to unresolved emotional trauma.

  • Emotional Regulation: Develop healthier coping skills and reduce emotional reactivity.

Key Benefits of Brainspotting

Brainspotting offers a unique approach to healing by targeting the brain-body connection. Some of the key benefits include:

  • Deep Emotional Processing: Access and release unresolved trauma and emotional blocks that traditional talk therapy may not reach.

  • Reduced Symptoms of Anxiety and Stress: Experience relief from chronic worry, tension, and emotional overwhelm.

  • Improved Emotional Regulation: Build resilience and develop healthier coping strategies for everyday life.

  • Enhanced Performance and Focus: Overcome mental blocks that impact work, sports, or creative endeavors.

  • Integration of Mind and Body: Support healing on both emotional and physical levels, including chronic pain linked to trauma.

  • Personalized, Gentle Approach: Each session is tailored to your needs, allowing you to process emotions safely and at your own pace.

Who Can Benefit from Brainspotting?

Brainspotting can be helpful for anyone experiencing unresolved trauma, emotional distress, or performance challenges. It can be easily combined with other therapies. It is particularly effective for:

  • Individuals with trauma or PTSD: Those struggling with past traumatic experiences that continue to affect daily life.

  • People with anxiety or chronic stress: Those seeking relief from persistent worry, tension, or emotional overwhelm.

  • High performers and creatives: Athletes, professionals, and artists looking to overcome mental blocks and enhance focus and confidence.

  • Those coping with grief or loss: People navigating complicated grief, life transitions, or difficult emotional experiences.

  • Individuals with somatic symptoms: Those experiencing physical pain or tension linked to emotional trauma.

  • Anyone seeking personal growth: Individuals wanting to develop emotional resilience, self-awareness, and healthier coping strategies.

If you’re ready to take the next step and see a therapist who is trained in Brainspotting, click below to get started!

FAQs About Brainspotting

  • Brainspotting is a brain-body-based therapy that helps individuals process trauma, emotional pain, and performance blocks. By identifying specific eye positions, called “brainspots,” therapists can guide the brain to release unresolved experiences and foster deep emotional healing.

  • While both Brainspotting and EMDR target trauma processing, Brainspotting focuses on eye positions linked to subcortical brain activity and often involves a slower, more somatic approach. The methods are very similar, and Brainspotting was founded by someone extensively trained in EMDR and based in the same theories. Brainspotting tends to be thought of as more flexible, and EMDR more protocol based, but this depends a lot on the provider you see, as each will have their own style. Truly - they’re quite similar, some people prefer one or tolerate one better over the other.

  • Brainspotting can help with trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, grief, phobias, emotional regulation, performance anxiety, and psychosomatic symptoms such as chronic pain or tension.

  • During a session, the therapist guides you to notice subtle eye positions (brainspots) associated with unresolved emotions. You remain present and supported while your brain processes and integrates these experiences. Sessions may also include mindfulness or bilateral sound techniques to facilitate healing.

  • Yes. Brainspotting is a safe, evidence-informed therapy. Sessions are guided by trained therapists, allowing you to process emotions at your own pace in a supportive environment.

  • The number of sessions varies depending on individual needs and goals. Some people notice relief after a few sessions, while others benefit from ongoing therapy for deeper or long-standing issues.

  • Absolutely. Brainspotting can release mental blocks, increase confidence, and improve focus for athletes, performers, professionals, and creatives.