Brainspotting is a focused therapy that uses the position of the eyes to locate and process trauma, stress and difficult emotional experiences. It is used by trained therapists for issues such as PTSD, anxiety, performance difficulties and emotional overwhelm.
Sessions are typically calm and client-led, with the therapist providing a stable, attuned presence throughout.
Brainspotting is a brain-body based psychotherapy developed by David Grand. It works on the principle that where you look affects how you feel — and that specific eye positions can access unprocessed experiences stored in the subcortical brain. Therapists use these "brainspots" to help the brain process material that has not been resolved through standard talking approaches alone.
Sessions typically begin with a discussion of what you want to work on and a brief assessment of current distress levels. The therapist may use a pointer or ask you to track their finger to identify a relevant eye position. Once a brainspot is found, you are invited to focus there while staying aware of internal sensations, emotions and thoughts. Bilateral music or sound is often used in the background to support processing.
The therapist maintains a quiet, attuned presence rather than directing the content of the session. Processing is internal and client-led, which many people find less intrusive than more structured approaches.
This depends on the issue, its complexity and how you respond. Some people notice significant shifts in a small number of sessions; complex or long-standing trauma typically requires more time. A good therapist will explain a plan, review progress and adapt the pace to your stability and readiness.
Brainspotting can bring up strong emotions and physical sensations during and after sessions. It should be delivered by a properly trained practitioner with a grounding and stabilisation plan in place. If you have significant dissociation, active psychosis, or very high-risk presentations, discuss suitability carefully and consider whether integrated support with other clinical services is needed.
Brainspotting is not a substitute for medical care. Seek urgent help if you are at risk of harming yourself or others.
Brainspotting was developed by psychotherapist David Grand in 2003, emerging from his work with EMDR. Grand observed that specific eye positions seemed to correlate with deeper emotional processing, and developed a structured approach around this principle. The method has since grown internationally, with training programmes and research expanding across trauma therapy and performance psychology contexts.
In the UK, Brainspotting is used by trained therapists working with trauma, anxiety and emotional processing, often alongside other trauma-informed approaches. It is positioned within the broader family of brain-body and eye-based psychotherapies.
We don’t currently have any mapped conditions for this therapy.