Why I've Been Accused of Being a Witch
- Erica Smith, M.Div, MA, ALC
- Sep 23
- 3 min read
TLDR: Brainspotting Works...
I like to call Brainspotting (BSP) the closest thing I have to a therapy magic wand. In fact, multiple clients have come back after a session or two and asked me what kind of "voodoo magic" I invoked in session. All my cards on the table-- No magic here, just evidence-backed science.
Brainspotting (BSP) is powerful. It's a body-based therapy that helps people heal from trauma, anxiety, depression, and OCD. Many people who feel stuck in cycles of distress or who haven’t found relief in traditional talk therapy discover that Brainspotting offers a different way forward—one that works with both the brain and the body.
What is Brainspotting?
Many trauma therapies rely on exposure to traumatic material to desensitize the person to the trauma. Does it work? Sure, sometimes. Do many people drop out of those therapies? Absolutely yes (and so would I!).
As a Brainspotting therapist in Alabama, I believe clients have the right to heal without reliving the trauma. With Brainspotting, clients don't have to tell the story (unless they feel it will be helpful to them) or relive a traumatic experience in order to heal. Because the focus is on the nervous system and body, rather than the story, it tends to be much gentler than other trauma therapies.
Developed by David Grand in 2003, Brainspotting is based on the idea that where we look can influence how we feel. Certain eye positions, called “brainspots,” are linked to where difficult experiences are stored in the brain and nervous system. By gently focusing on these spots with the support of a trained therapist, the brain can process and release trauma in a way that feels more natural and less overwhelming than revisiting every detail of painful memories.
What the Research Says
Although Brainspotting is newer (22 years old) than some other therapies, the current body of research is growing and promising:
PTSD and Trauma: A study comparing Brainspotting with EMDR found that both therapies significantly reduced PTSD symptoms, as well as depression and anxiety, with benefits lasting six months after treatment (Hildebrand, Grand, & Stemmler, 2017).
Distressing Memories and Nervous System Regulation: D’Antoni, Matiz, Fabbro, and Crescentini (2022) compared Brainspotting, EMDR, Body Scan Meditation, and a reading control group. Brainspotting significantly reduced subjective distress from negative memories and improved heart rate variability, a marker of nervous system regulation. These findings suggest that BSP not only reduces emotional suffering but also supports physiological calming.
Anxiety and Depression: In addition to trauma relief, Brainspotting has been associated with decreases in depression and anxiety symptoms (Hildebrand et al., 2017). This broad impact highlights the therapy’s potential to help with the emotional consequences of trauma as well as mood and anxiety disorders more generally.
These findings suggest that Brainspotting doesn’t just reduce emotional suffering, but also helps the body regain a sense of calm and balance.
Why Brainspotting Works
Brainspotting can be effective for trauma, anxiety and depression because it:
Engages the body, not just the mind
Increases awareness of internal signals and emotions
Supports nervous system regulation
Allows healing without overwhelming exposure
While it uses the position of the eye and awareness of body sensations.
A Path Toward Healing
Sometimes I get calls from potential clients who want to know if it's reasonable to hope for a life that isn't filled with triggers they have spend their life just coping with. Resounding YES. Time and time again I see clients heal and report that triggers they've lived with for years disappear after Brainspotting. While the length of time it takes to heal varies person to person and not everyone finds that Brainspotting is for them, it IS possible to truly heal, not just cope.
The Bottom Line
Brainspotting provides a gentle AND powerful way to release what the brain and body have been holding onto. While more research is still being done, current evidence shows that Brainspotting is an effective option for people seeking relief and lasting change-- I see it in my practice everyday.
Be kind to yourself,
Erica
References
D’Antoni, F., Matiz, A., Fabbro, F., & Crescentini, C. (2022). Psychotherapeutic techniques for distressing memories: A comparative study between EMDR, Brainspotting, and Body Scan Meditation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3), 1142. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031142
Hildebrand, A., Grand, D., & Stemmler, M. (2017). Brainspotting – the efficacy of a new therapy approach for the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in comparison to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Mediterranean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 5(1).
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