The Difference Between Brainspotting and EMDR Trauma Therapy

Brainspotting has roots in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) and similarly supports the reprocessing of negative experiences and retrains emotional reactions. Both are therapeutic interventions that access deeply stored emotional, somatic, traumatic and often subconscious information. Both interventions may involve bilateral stimulation and are considered advanced brain-body based strategies. The primary difference between the two involves the procedure used.
Brainspotting is based on the premise that ‘where you look affects how you feel’. As an individual maintains an eye position while focusing on a stressful experience, they connect to a spot in the brain (brainspot) that gives them access to releasing and processing the challenging experience. Dual Attunement is a primary tenant of Brainspotting in that the attunement of the therapist activates brain pathways associated with safety, support and connection. During Brainspotting once the focused eye position is established, the client is allowed to organically and intuitively process through their experience without following a specific series of steps. Many clients find this to be empowering, instinctual and flexible while others prefer more structure. For those that want more structure EMDR may be a better suited technique.
EMDR follows a very specific protocol in which the therapist guides the client through a series of repetitive steps. EMDR has been around longer than Brainspotting and has more established research behind it. As part of this process, the client focuses on a stressful or traumatic issue while experiencing bilateral stimulation. The client is guided to repeatedly reexperience the issue while being guided through the steps in the process. While Brainspotting involves a focused eye position, EMDR involves rapid bilateral movement of the eyes, auditory or sensory system. Some clients report they find EMDR to be too directed, structured, overstimulating and not as adaptable and fluid as Brainspotting, while others appreciate the structure and specific steps.
As practitioners of both EMDR and Brainspotting we have found many clients have deeper and more profound releases with Brainspotting and prefer its fluidity.
To speak with a therapist about Brainspotting or EMDR call us at [phone]. FaceTime and Skype sessions available.

[@katherinejoseph7133]

I am a certified EMDR therapist, for 15+ years now, and I would just like to say that I appreciate this video and the explanation. And to add that one might listen to this and possibly get an impression that EMDR is somehow rigid, as if the focus is on the steps. The active processing ‘step’ of EMDR is much like brain spotting, which as mentioned, was derived from EMDR. The other ‘steps’ are there to identify the thoughts, beliefs, emotions and sensations that are associated with the troubling event. The actual bilateral stimulation is not really very different at all.

[@gerryanngoins738]

I have used both techniques and have found brain spotting to be easier and more fluent for myself. I have completed 2 sessions and look forward to more and to regaining peace.

[@samsonizy]

Whats going on with the sound?

[@heatherkreger4084]

Can’t hear what is being said static and garbled

[@dualmass]

Thanks for the video, good explanation

[@meroamira8785]

Hi I have enquiry I have ptsd and I had edmr therapy and that was very bad and caused of me panic attack and negative emotions ,affects in that case
is possible for me to processing with brain spotting processing

[@dianafraind6804]

So did it help EMDR or no?!

[@tinah6903]

@@dianafraind6804 EMDR sometimes can be too intense for some people.

[@dianafraind6804]

@@tinah6903 I already experienced those emotions, very painfull,so maybe it wouldn't be so bad in my case

[@ambodrona1]

Brainspotting is better for you or comprehensive ressources model

[@bobbyjosson4663]

Use Havening, it pretty well obliterates PtSd

[@jess3297]

No sound

[@swim610]

Audio not working

[@NaturalNikkiDST]

Good to know it was not just me.

[@flyingJoe]

Working for me

[@zgs12212012]

Mariusz Składanowski Me as well

[@TheBakingGirlShow]

Cant hear