What is brainspotting?

Brainspotting is a focused, body-aware form of psychotherapy used to explore and process experiences that may be difficult to reach through conversation alone. It developed out of trauma-focused therapies, including EMDR, and pays particular attention to the relationship among visual attention, emotion, and physical sensation.

What does brainspotting look like?

During brainspotting, the therapist may help you identify a particular point in your field of vision that appears connected with an emotionally or physically activated experience. You are then invited to maintain gentle visual attention on that point while noticing thoughts, feelings, memories, and sensations as they arise.

The therapist provides a steady and supportive presence without requiring you to force an interpretation or recount every detail of an experience.

What can brainspotting help with?

Brainspotting is often used when working with trauma, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, performance difficulties, or experiences that feel “stuck” despite reflection and insight. It can be incorporated into a broader course of psychotherapy rather than replacing the relationship, exploration, and understanding that develop over time in treatment.

Brainspotting is a contemporary therapeutic approach that is increasingly used in trauma-focused and experiential psychotherapy. Research on Brainspotting continues to grow, and clinicians may incorporate it when it fits a patient’s needs, preferences, and broader treatment goals.

Brainspotting at Market Street Psychotherapy

At Market Street Psychotherapy, Brainspotting is offered by Iris McComb, LMHCA. She may integrate it into psychotherapy when it is clinically appropriate and consistent with a patient’s interests and treatment goals.

To learn more about brainspotting or explore whether Iris may be a good fit, you are welcome to request a consultation.