I remember using Brainspotting with a teen a few days after I had my first training. I have to admit, I was still a little on the fence about the effectiveness of this therapy method. My client was worried that her depression was returning. She was concerned she might not have the coping skills to keep it at bay. She was open to Brainspotting and within two minutes she was processing so deeply that she became tearful. In over two years, this client had never gone this deep in our work together.
The brain, when given the chance, knows how to heal itself and the body. Some clients walk me through their processing as it happens. Others prefer to just notice what is happening and share later. I continue to be amazed by Brainspotting and how it helps my teen clients to make connections and process their worries and feelings. Hopefully, I have intrigued you enough to ask the following question…..
What is Brainspotting? How Can It Help My Teen Heal from Trauma?
When teens go through hard or scary experiences, like bullying, a parent’s divorce, or losing someone they love, it can be really tough to deal with those feelings. Sometimes, even after the event is over, the feelings don’t go away. This is what we call trauma. Some feelings are buried so deep inside that it’s hard to reach them through talking. That’s where Brainspotting comes in.
Brainspotting helps your brain heal from difficult things it has been holding onto. It can be helpful for teens with trauma and who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other strong emotions. In this blog, I’ll talk about what Brainspotting is, how it works, and how it can help your teen.
Okay, so what actually is Brainspotting?
Brainspotting was created by Dr. David Grand in 2003. The basic idea is that where you look can affect how you feel. Think about how sometimes, when you’re sad or nervous, just looking in a certain direction can make the feelings stronger, or, can make them feel less intense. Brainspotting helps find the exact spot where your teen’s eyes and brain connect with the trauma or emotion with which they have been holding.
This technique allows your teen’s brain to process and let go of feelings that have been stuck, even if they don’t fully understand them. Brainspotting is especially helpful for teens, who might not always know how to put their feelings into words. With this approach, they don’t have to!
How Does Brainspotting Work?
In a Brainspotting session, I will ask your teenager to think about a problem or feeling. While they are thinking about it, I will help them find a specific spot where their eyes are looking that connects with how they feel inside. This spot is called a “brainspot.”
Once they find the brainspot, I will ask your teen to focus on this spot while noticing their feelings and sensations in their body. They will also have the option to listen to bilateral music (sounds that switch between the ears) to help the brain stay calm while brainspotting. The idea is to help your teen’s brain work through the feelings without needing to talk about every detail of the experience.
For teens, this can be really helpful because sometimes it’s hard to talk about painful memories. Brainspotting lets the brain do the healing in a quieter way, without needing to say everything out loud.
Why Is Brainspotting Helpful for Teens?
Teens’ brains are still developing, which means they can be more affected by trauma but also more open to healing. Here are a few reasons why Brainspotting can be especially good for teens:
- No need to talk everything out: If they don’t like talking about their feelings or don’t know how to explain them, Brainspotting lets your teen heal without saying everything out loud.
- Helps your child feel calmer: Brainspotting can help reduce feelings of anxiety, stress, or sadness by letting the brain process old feelings that have been stuck.
- Gives your teen better control of emotions: After Brainspotting sessions, many teens say they feel less overwhelmed.
- It’s gentle: Brainspotting doesn’t force your child to relive painful memories. Instead, it helps the brain let go of those feelings naturally.
Why Try Brainspotting?
Trauma can make teens feel stuck, anxious, or disconnected, but Brainspotting offers a way to heal that isn’t too overwhelming. It helps the brain work through difficult emotions so that teens can feel and sleep better and interact with friends and family again. For teens who’ve struggled to express their feelings or haven’t felt better with traditional therapy, Brainspotting could be a helpful tool on their path to healing.
Laura Ellison-Hutchinson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been practicing for over 25 years. Her office is in South Denver and she sees clients virtually throughout all of Colorado. Laura loves helping teens and young adults heal from trauma, depression, and anxiety. She believes that humor, curiosity, and focus on both the body and mind are essential for healing and creating a fulfilling life.
